Fun Facts About India

">India has won five Miss World titles and two Miss
DID YOU KNOW...Universe titles.
India is a "big paradise" in Asia. Exotic culture, pricelessSince 1990, Miss Venezuela and Miss India are rivals in
art, modern cities, national parks, and friendly peoplethe beauty world.
make the India an excellent destination for tourists...a1966: London, England. Miss India, Rita Faria, was
vast space of immense beauty.Throughout the 21stelected Miss World.
century, India still maintains traditional lifestyle. The1994:Manila (Philippines).Miss India, Shusmita Sen, was
Festival of Laxmi is one of the most well-knowcrowned Miss Universe.
religious festival in the Hindu religion.Laxmi is the1994: Sun City (South Africa).Miss India, Aishwarya Rai,
Goddess of the peace and prosperity. The Festival ofwon the Miss World pageant.
Laxmi plays a profound role in the lives of many1997:Mahe,Seychelles. Miss India, Diana Hayden, was
Indians.elected Miss Asia and Miss World.
India is known in history as the birthplace of Mohandas1999:London, England. India´s Yukta Mookhey
K. Gandhi, whose legacy was the democracy. Oncewon the Miss World title.
Gandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to2000:Nicosia, Cypruss. Miss India, Lara Dutta, was
see in the world".crowned Miss Universe.
DID YOU KNOW...2000:London, England. India´s Priyanka Chopra
Since 1947, India, an ex British colony, is a democraticwas crowned Miss Asia and Miss World.
country in the Third World. Different fromIn 2004, Julia Roberts, American actress, said,
Pakistan(dictatorship), Bhutan ( absolutist monarchy),"Aishwarya Rai is the most beautiful woman in the
Nepal ( absolutist monarchy) and Myanmar ( militaryworld".She was Miss India-World, Miss Asia and Miss
dictatorship), India did not have dictators.World (1994). Currently, Aishwarya is a famous
From 1900 to 1947, the country had one of the worstactress in Bollywood. She has won several awards in
famine in the modern history. At that time, India washer country and Asia.
one of the most poorest countries in the world. AfterDID YOU KNOW...
1947, the government expanded "The GreenIndia maintains good relations with the United Kingdom,
Revolution".During this period of time, India´sSouth Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Sri
export to world included sugar, corn, and cotton.SinceLanka, Uganda, Canadas, Maldives, Mexico, Japan,
then, India´s economy witnessed the most rapidSaudi Arabia, Bangladesh Germany and the United
growth in its history.By the mid-1990s, the economyStates.
was industrialized However, India´s humanDID YOU KNOW...
development system is considered among the worst in"Gandhi" a film by British director Richard Atenborough
Asia.was inspired in the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi (
DID YOU KNOW...1869-1948). "Gandhi" won 8 Academy Awards in the
There are many women that have made themselves1980s.
known in Bombay or Bangalore and abroad:DID YOU KNOW...
Rohini Hattangady (actress); Nandita Das (actress);From 1900 to 1976, field hockey was the national sport
Nazzia Hassan (singer); Usha Raiin India.It won seven gold medals in field hockey in the
(journalist);Balasaraswathi (dancer); Kavita SrivajtavaOlympic Games history. India´s national field
(women´s rights activist); Jessica Dragonettehockey team won its last gold medal at the 1964
(actress);Sarojini Naidu (poetess);Devagmita PatnaikOlympic Games.
(dancer); Shantala Shivalingappa (dancer); Poolan DeviDID YOU KNOW...
(women´s rights activist); Indira Gandhi (formerThe Indian film industry makes more films each year
Prime Minister of India); Maddhur Jaffreythan the United States, France, Italy, and the People`s
(actress);Karnan Malleswari (sportswoman); RuthRepublic of China.
Prawer Jhabvala (writer) and Shanta Rao (dancer).DID YOU KNOW...
DID YOU KNOW...