Overview

Global Cities Mumbai Overview
India Facts

 

  • One out of every 6 people on earth lives in India. The population is 1.1 billion people, about 17% of the world's population. India will surpass China in population within 1 generation.
  • 198 million people are undernourished.
  • The per capita income is $3,700 per year and 200 million people live on less than $60 a year.
  • Over 1600 dialects are spoken and the literacy rate is 68.5 percent. It was only 11 percent in 1947.
  • The median age is 24.7 years. 550 million people are under age 25. The life expectancy is 64 years.
  • India is the world's largest democracy.
  • The economy is huge and rapidly expanding. India has the third largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. It ranks number 12 on a nominal basis. The economy will surpass Japan's in size in 2008.
  • 880 million people are Hindus, about 80 percent of the population. 147 million are Muslims, the second largest Muslim population in the world, about 13.4 percent of the population. 25 million people are Christians, about 2.3 percent of the population.

 

The Caste System

India and China are the new economies of the world. But in India there are two faces - upper castes and the lower/out-castes. The upper castes Hindus are truly intelligent and well educated. 90% of Indians that have migrated to the West are upper caste Hindus. The upper cast Hindus rule India. Virtually all Prime Ministers of India were Brahmins (the highest of the upper castes). Nearly anybody that matters in India comes largely from an upper cast Hindu background (business men, politicians, police officers, army officers, lawyers and judges, government administrative officers, school and college principals, etc.). There are exceptions. But the exceptions are few and far between. These upper caste Hindus are well educated, proud and hard working. They speak English and are the face of India to the world. Because of their hard work and thrift, they have made India shine economically.

But upper-caste Hindus constitute only 25% of India's population. The bulk is the lower-caste Hindus (40%), outcaste Hindus (10%), tribals (10%), Muslims (10%). They represent the face of India-Suffering. The economic prosperity of India-Shining doesn't seem to reach the lower and outcaste Hindus and tribals, many of whom are coming to Christ in thousands. The reason why prosperity doesn't flow to them is because of lack of empowerment of the lower/out castes and of course, upper caste prejudice.

"Long walk home" - by Joe

 

India References
God is at work in India!

When the prophet Habakkuk complained that God didn't answer his pleas and prayer, God's response was: "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." Hab 1:5

That is descriptive of the move of God in India - a nation that now is being projected to become a Christian nation, "the largest Christian democracy in the world" within our lifetime (Joel News Service). God is at work in India, from the highest castes (Brahmin) with a contextualized "Rethinking Forum" to the Dalit Freedom Movement working with the very lowest castes and outcasts. Twelve castes are exploring with Truth Seekers to officially become Christians. Nine have already declared themselves to be Buddhists but are finding no value beyond the government subsidy. They see "Christian without subsidy" more attractive. One caste, the weavers, has already declared themselves Christian - a 15 to 20-million member "church" overnight! India is one of only one or two places in the world where today there is a mighty move of the Spirit of God.

"Divisions of the street" - by Travis