West Bengal is located in the northeastern part of the country. It is bounded on the north by Bhutan and the state of Sikkim, on the east by Bangladesh, on the northeast by the state of Assam, on the south by the Bay of Bengal, on the southwest by the state of Orissa, on the northwest by Nepal, and on the west by the state of Bihar. The alluvial plain in the south is watered by the legendary River Hooghly and its tributaries – Mayurakshi, Damodar, Kangsabati and the Rupnarayan. The Himalayan north, comprising the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Bihar are watered by the swift flowing rivers Tista, Torsa, Jaldhaka and Ranjit. Variations in altitude result in great variety in the nature and climate of West Bengal. From the northern highlands at the feet of the Himalayas to the tropical forests of Sunderbans, West Bengal is a land of myriad beauty, each region different from the other.

Although in area West Bengal ranks as one of the smaller states of India, it is one of the largest in population. The capital is Calcutta, India’s second largest city; other important cities and towns are Howrah, Asansol, Durgapur and Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kharagpur and Haldia.

West Bengal has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 295 seats. The state sends 58 members to the Indian national parliament: 16 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and 42 to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 18 districts.

History

Bengal finds a coveted place even in pre-historic times. At the time of Alexander’s invasion a powerful kingdom called Gangaridai ruled over Bengal. Ascendancy of the Guptas and the Mauryas had somewhat little effect on Bengal. Later Sasanka became the king of Bengal and is said to have played an important role in the early half of the seventh century. He was succeeded by Gopala who founded the Pala dynasty which ruled for centuries and had created a huge empire. The Palas were followed by the Sena dynasty which was ended by Muslim rulers from Delhi. Bengal was ruled by various Muslim rulers and governors till the Mughal period in sixteenth century.

After the Mughals, history of Modern Bengal began with advent of European and English traders. Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the course of history when the English first gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India. In 1905 it was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people’s growing movement under the auspices of the Congress led to the reunion in 1911. This triggered off hectic movement for freedom which culminated with Independence in 1947, and partition.

After 1947, the merger of native settlement began which ended with its final reorganization in 1956 (as per Recommendation of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956) when some Bengali speaking areas of a neighbouring state was transferred to West Bengal.

Society and Culture

About three quarters of the population lives in the villages. Of the different religions, Hinduism, with its substrata of castes and aboriginal tribes, claims the adherence of more than three-fourths the population, most of the remainder being Muslim. West Bengal contains about 40 recognized communities of tribes–the better known among them being the Santals, Oraons, Munas, Lepchas, and Bhutias–that make up less than one-tenth of the total population. Bengali is the language of most of the people, with Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, and English as minority languages. English, however, is the language of administration and a lingua franca for business purposes.

Bengalis have always fostered literature, art, music, and drama. Bengali literature dates to before the 12th century. The Caitanya movement, an intensely emotional form of Hinduism inspired by the medieval saint Caitanya (1485-1533), shaped the subsequent development of Bengali poetry until the early 19th century, when contact with the West sparked a vigorous creative synthesis. The modern period has produced, among others, the Nobel prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), whose contribution still dominates the Indian literary scene. Bengal also boasts of three other Nobel prize winners, Mother Teresa, Amartya Sen and Satyajit Ray. Jamini Roy, Uday Shankar, Bimal Mitra and Tarashankar Banerjee all belong to this culturally rich land. The theatre is popular, and both amateur and professional performances are quite sophisticated, traditional open-air performances, are popular in the countryside, along with kavigan an impromptu duel in musical verse between village poets. Traditional music takes the form of devotional and cultural songs. The kathakata a religious recital based on folklore, is another rural entertainment. Films offer yet another type of popular diversion, and Bengali productions have earned national and international awards.

Fish, rice and a plethora of sweets are Bengali specialities. Ace Bengali artisans work wonders with terracota horses, conch shells, clay models, leather, batik and wood work. Bengal handloom sarees with exquisitely woven borders also have a universal appeal.

Durga Puja, coinciding with Dussehra in other parts of the country, rouses the state to a feverish pitch, with its preparations that touch the life of every Bengali. Kali Puja, festival of lights (Diwali), Dol Jatra (Holi), Ganga Sagar Mela at Sagar (January /February), the Muslim festivals of Id and Ramzan, Baisakhi – Bengal’s New Year’s day, Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, Christmas and New Year are marked by typical abandon and devotion.

Economy and Infrastructure

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the state’s income, and nearly three out of four persons in the state are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. The state accounted for 66.5 percent of the country’s jute production including mesta in 1993-94, and 22.2 percent of tea production during the same period. Important crops of the state include potatoes, oilseeds, betelvine, tobacco, wheat, barley and maize. The state also occupies a leading position among principal rice growing states of India, by contributing 15.3 percent of the total production of rice in the country.

The state has a significant mineral output, including dolomite, limestone, and china clay. It has steel plants, an automobile-manufacturing plant, and numerous chemical, machinery-building, and light-engineering industries. Here’s a profile of the state’s infrastructure:

Roads Surfaces – 25984 Km, Un-surfaced – 32016 Km, National Highways – 1631 Km
Railways 3767 Km Eastern & South Eastern Railway Headquarters are in Calcutta.
Telecommunication Basic Telephone – Working Lines – 797800 Waiting list – 150200 Express Demand – 1.4 per 100 population VSNL has its International Gateway and Earthstation in and around Calcutta. Mobile Cellular Services (GSM) is provided by Modi – Telstra and Usha Martin Telecom Malaysia within Greater Calcutta. Mobile Services proposed in the rest of the State by Reliance/Nynex. Public Radio Paging Services provided by four operators E-mail Services available from a host of operators.
Airports Domestic: Bagdogra
International: Calcutta
Major Ports Calcutta, Haldia

Tourist Centres

Important tourist centres, among others are Calcutta, Digha ( Midnapore), Bakkhali Sea Resort, Sagar Island and Sundarbans (South 24 Parganas), Bandel, Tarakeswar, Kamarpukar (Hooghly) and Gadiara (Howrah), Shantiniketan and Bakreshwar (Birbhum), Durgapur (Burdwan), Mukutmanipur and Vishnupur(Bankura), Ayodhya hills (Purulia), Murshidabad, Gour and Pandua (Malda), Darjeeling, Mirik, Kalimpong, Sandakfu and Falut and Kurseong ( Darjeeling), Jaldapara and Dooars (Jalpaiguri).

On the 8th of November 2000, Uttaranchal became a full-fledged state of India with the formal induction of a separate State Government. The State is carved out of the Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest population in India. With this, the people of Uttaranchal have finally achieved their dream of running their own affairs for which they have been fighting for some decades now.

Uttaranchal is situated in the northwest portion of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. It occupies 17.3% of India’s total land area with 51,125 sq. km. It has a population of about 6.0 million at 94.4 per sq. km. It borders Tibet, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, and the UP plains districts. Dehra Dun, the state’ capital is about 255 km away from India’s capital, New Delhi.

13 districts comprise: Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Champawat, Uttar Kashi, Udham Singh Nagar, Chamoli, Dehra Dun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Haridwar (Urban).

The region is the melting pot of many ethnic groups and castes. The Jaunsaries, the Bhotias, the Bokshas, the Tharus and the Rajis live side by side in the most cordial manner. Most of the indigenous people are heterodox Hindus and Buddhists, while Sikh migrants from West Punjab have settled in the lowlands since 1947. A few Muslim groups are also native to the area.

The economic viability of the new state is worrying if anything in the present circumstances. Though it is endowed with rich natural resources, it is unable to tap them to its advantages. The result is that about 70% of its population lives under the poverty line as against the national average of 46%. Subsistence agriculture supports about 75% of the population while 71% of the land holdings are less than 1 hectare in size. To put this pathetic state of affairs in perspective, a survey was conducted recently which found that about 80% of the soldiers active at the Kargil front joined the armed forces to escape from the poverty at their home state.

Dividends can be reaped if the various rivers and streams of the state are utilized to produce hydro electricity. A source reveals that the state has the potential of generating about 40,000 MW of hydropower and that is enough to solve the massive power shortage of India to a substantial degree.

The state also holds out promises of becoming an attractive tourist spot. Already the region is raking in about 250 crores in annual earnings. However this sector is not fully exploited. The state definitely needs to invest in creating ski resorts and modern shooing malls to cater to the needs of the enthusiasts of adventure tourism and upscale tourists.

Another area where the state has to get its act together is the agro industries. Commercial production of fruits, medicinal plants and flowers on the lines of Himachal Pradesh will go a long way in boosting its revenue.

CLIMATE

It is located in the northeastern part of the subcontinent. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by Bangladesh, on the east by the state of Mizoram, and on the northeast by the state of Assam. Covering an area of only 10,486 square kilometres, it is India’s third smallest state, after Goa and Sikkim.

Tripura is mainly a hilly territory with altitudes varying from 50 to 3080 ft above sea level, though the major population of the state lives in the plains. It has a moderate temperature and highly humid atmosphere.

Tripura sends three members to the Parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and two to the Lok Sabha (lower house). The state has three administrative districts. Agartala is the capital of this picturesque hilly state.

History

Historical evidence of Tripura first appears in the 14th-century Rajamala, the chronicle of the Manikya dynasty. Under this dynasty, Tripura suzerainty was extended over much of Bengal, Assam, and Myanmar in a series of remarkable military conquests. It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that the Mughal Empire extended its sovereignty over much of Tripura

It was an independent administrative unit under the Maharaja even during the British rule in India though this independence was qualified, being subject to the recognition of the British, as the paramount power, of each successive ruler. In 1905 Tripura was attached to the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam and was known as Hill Tippera.

The last ruling maharaja of Tripura, Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, ascended the throne in 1923 and, before his death in 1947, settled that Tripura should accede to the newly independent country of India. Tripura officially became part of India on Oct. 15, 1949, and was made a union territory on Sept. 1, 1956. It became a constituent state of the Indian Union on Jan. 21, 1972.

Society and Culture

Today, Tripura is largely a Bengali community, inspite of the 19 Scheduled Tribes that form more than 40 percent of the state’s population. More than half speak Bengali; Bengali and Tripuri are the state’s official languages. The other important language is Manipuri. Hinduism is the religion of most of the people. There are also small minorities of Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians The tribals, with a rich and varied culture, belong mainly to the Reang, Chakma, Halam and Usai communities. Music and dance are an integral part of their lives. Garia dances held for the prosperity of the people; dances of the Reang community; ‘Bizu’ dances by the Chakmas denoting the end of the Bengali calendar year; ‘Hai Hak’ dances of the Halams and the Cheraw dance associated with the confinement of Lusai woman, are examples. ‘Basanta Raas’ is the charming dance of the Hindu Manipuris, in Tripura.

Handlooms and handicrafts of Tripura reflect the inherent quality of workmanship, and uniqueness of the people. Simple materials such as bamboo, cane, palm leaves and ordinary yarn are used to create a fascinating variety of handiwork. Intricately designed handlooms and silk, cane and bamboo works are the main industries. Furniture, toys, objects of daily utility such as lamp shades, baskets, calendars, ivory work and Tripuran tribal jewellery, make shopping here a fantastic experience.

The main festivals of Tripura are the Durga Puja (at the time of Dussehra), Karchi Puja, Diwali, Dol Jatra (Holi), Pous Sankranti, Ashokashtmi and Buddha Jayanti, Id, Christmas and New Year. The Garia, Ker Ganga and Gajan festivals are important tribal festivities. During Ashokashtmi there are special celebrations at Unnakoti. The Fourteen Goddess Temple in Old Agartala attracts a lot of visitors for its Karchi Puja, and so does Tirthamukh on the occasion of the Pous Sankranti Mela. Other festivals are the Rabindra/Nazrul Festival in May, the Boat Race at Melaghar in August, the Orange and Tourism festival in the Jampui Hill range in November.

Long and intimate association of Poet Rabindranath Tagore with Tripura has added luster to the rich cultural heritage of the state. The state has produced the famous musicians Sachin Dev Barman and Rahul Dev Barman.

Economy and Infrastructure

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy; shifting cultivation is gradually being replaced by modern farming methods. Important cash crops are tea, jute, cotton, and fruit. Wheat, rice, potatoes, and sugarcane are also grown. Almost half the land area is still covered by forest.

Manufacturing is largely on a small scale and includes many cottage industries, such as weaving, carpentry, basketry, and pottery making. The state government is active in fostering the growth of small-scale industries. Industrial units also exist for the production of tea, sugar, canned fruit, agricultural implements, bricks, and footwear; larger establishments include a spinning mill, a jute mill, a steel mill, a plywood factory, and a pharmaceuticals plant.

Energy is provided by diesel-powered thermal plants at Agartala, Ambasa, Khowai, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, Udaipur, and Bagafa and by the Gumti Hydroelectric Project. Extensive resources of natural gas have recently been discovered in the state.

Tripura’s hilly topography renders communications difficult. Moreover, with Bangladesh bordering the state on three sides, Tripura is virtually isolated from India; land routes consist only of the Agartala-Karimganj (Assam) road and a metre-gauge railway link from Dharmanagar to Kalkali Ghat, Assam. Most rivers carry boat traffic, but this is generally for local transport. Agartala is linked by air to Calcutta (in West Bengal) and various towns in Assam. Intrastate air service also exists.

The Government of India has recently taken a number of initiatives to develop infrastructural facilities in Tripura and other North-eastern states. A broad-gauge Railway line is being extended upto the state capital, Agartala. Roads and Airport facilities are also being developed. Telecommunication facilities are being upgraded. The power tariff is also very low in Tripura, being less than Rs. 1.00 per unit, as against about Rs. 3.00 per unit in other parts on the country. Moreover, natural gas available in the state can also be used as fuel (as substitute for electric power), which provides an alternative to the industrial units coming up in the state.

Tourist Centres

Tripura has a lot to offer to the tourists. Agartala, the picturesque capital, with its beautiful palaces, gardens, hills, temples and lakes, scenic Tirthamulkh with its lakes; waterfalls and reservoir are all worth visiting. Pilak Pather and Lungthung are virtual treasure troves for those, historically inclined. Jampol hills, Rudrasagar and Neer Mahal-the lake cities, Sepahijala-the wildlife sanctuary, and the temples in and around Udaipur, are the other major places of interest in this tiny state.

Tamil Nadu, state in southern India, bordered on the north by Andhra Pradesh state, on the northwest by Karnataka state, on the west by Kerala state, and on the east and south by the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Occupying the extreme south of the Indian peninsula, Tamil Nadu has an area of 130,058 sq km (50,215 sq mi).

The state is divided into 26 districts which in turn are further bifurcated into smaller divisions and subdivisions including a total of 17,272 villages. The state Capital, Madras now renamed as Chennai is the fourth largest city in the Indian sub-continent. It extends over an area of 174 Sq.km

Its Legislative House has 235 seats. The state sends 57 members to the Indian national parliament: 18 to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and 39 to the Lok Sabha (lower house). There are 18 local government administrative districts.

History

The history of Tamil Nadu dates back to the time the Dravidians had moved south, following the advent of Aryans in the north. Historically, South India consisted of four main Dravidian Kingdoms, the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas (who ruled over what is now Tamil Nadu) and the Chalukyas. The Muslim invasion of the South in the 14th century caused a retaliatory reaction from the Hindus, who rallied to build a strong new kingdom, with its capital at Vijaynagar. On independence, the Madras province, as the south was known then, was divided on a linguistic basis into states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. A mutual exchange of certain areas between Kerala and Tamil Nadu (Malabar and Kasargod to Kerala; Shencotta and Kanyakumari from Kerala) was undertaken according to the State Reorganisation Act, following which Madras adopted a new name, Tamil Nadu.

Society, arts and culture

The people of Tamil Nadu lead by and large, relaxed lifestyles. Tamils have deep interest in music, dance and literature. Dance forms like Bharanatyam and various forms of music, including Carnatic Music, have flourished here for centures. Festivals are a daily feature in this region. Navaratri or Dussehra (September/October), Deepavali (October/ November), Karthika (November/December) and Pongal (January ) are the popular ones. A unique festival of Carnatic music, the Thyagaraja festival is held annually in January at Thiruvariyar, the birth place of famous singer poet Thyagaraja, where one can witness the amazing spectacle of mass performance, in total harmony and rhythm. Handicrafts include the most intricately carved designes in wood, stone and metal. The exquisitely carved Bronze and Tanjore plate deserve special mention here

The people of the state speak Tamil language. But of late owing to immigrants from other states into the urban centres of the state, there has been a discernible increase in the number of languages spoken in the state. Today several languages such as Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi and other Indian languages are being spoken in the state. Other than these languages, English is spoken by the educated in most parts of the state. Tamil Nadu has a literacy rate of 62.66 per cent with the male literacy rate being 63.78 per cent and the female literacy rate being 44.60 per cent.

Tamils are lovers of good food. Their favourite cuisines invariably consist of idly (steamed rice cakes), dosai (a pancake made from a batter of rice) and lentils crisp fried on a pan, vada (deep fried doughnuts made from a batter of lentils), pongal (a mish mash of rice and lentils boiled together and seasoned with ghee, cashew nuts, pepper and cummin seed), uppuma (cooked semolina seasoned in oil with mustard, pepper, cummin seed and dry lentils.) Lunch or meals consists of cooked rice served with an array of vegetable dishes, sambar, chutneys, rasam (a hot broth made with tamarind juice and pepper) and curd (yogurt).

Economy and Infrastructure

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population. Irrigation has been practiced since the earliest times; today there are more than 20,000 km (12,430 mi) of irrigation channels. Important crops include sugarcane, groundnuts, oilseeds, cotton, bananas, potatoes, tea, and spices. Major forest products are timber, sandalwood, pulpwood and fuel wood, while the minor products include bamboo, eucalyptus, rubber, tea, cashew, honey and ivory.

Tamil Nadu has a 1000 km long coastline with its equatorial climate permitting year round fishery and farming. The state has a fairly stable presence in this sector with abundant skilled labour available, over 200 registered exporters of marine products, 29 freezing plants and 36 cold storages Investment opportunities in this sector include, shrimp farming and processing, Crab culture, Seaweed culture, etc, in additon to opportunities in infrastructure like air freight services, Cold storage facilities, Freezing plant etc.

Minerals like limestone, lignite, granite, clay, gypsum, feldspar, graphite and iron are found abundantly in Tamil Nadu. Besides these small quantities of gold, copper, magnesite, kaolin, bauxite, etc. are also found here

Industrial production is focused around Chennai and includes cotton, sugar, leather (more than 40 percent of India’s exports), textiles, engineering, petrochemicals, and the manufacture of vehicles, railway rolling stock, and precision tools. Although power-generating capacity has increased, Tamil Nadu suffers from a shortage of electricity. A nuclear power station completed in 1986 and located south of Chennai at Kalpakkam is still not producing at full capacity

Tamil Nadu has a well-developed transportation network, including national and state highways; rail network; airports at Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchchirappalli; and major ports at Chennai and Tuticorin

Tourist Centres

The places of tourist interest in the state are Chennai, the beautiful capital city; Mamallapuram, the beach resort; Kanchipuram, the land of 1000 temples; Madurai famous for the Meenakshi temple; Rameshwaram, Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur, the temple trio; the charming hill resorts of Yercaud, Ootacamund and Kodaikanal and Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India, renowned for its fantastic sunrise and sunset

Sikkim state in northeastern India, on the southern slopes of the Himalayas Sikkim is bounded on the north and northeast by Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on the southeast by Bhutan, on the south by West Bengal and on the west by Nepal. The area is 7096 sq km. One of the highest regions in India, Sikkim is traversed by the main range of the Himalayas and by several spur ranges. It is entirely mountainous, with one – third of the land covered with dense forests of sal, sambal and bamboo, which are mostly inaccessible and unexploited. Kanchenjunga (8,598 m/28,209 ft) one of the highest peaks in the world lie in Sikkim

Sikkim receives heavy rainfall. It is watered by the perennial river Tista, and its tributaries, which are fed by both snow and rain. The climate ranges from tropical to alpine. Generally the lowlands are hot and humid, the hills are temperate, and the mountains are permanently covered with snow. Average January temperatures in Gangtok, a hill city, range from 4° to 14° C (39° to 57° F); in May the average temperatures range from 14° to 22° C (57° to 72° F). Annual rainfall varies from about 1300 to 5000 mm (about 50 to 200 in), depending on the altitude and region of the state

Sikkim has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 32 members. The state sends two members to the Indian national parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and one to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on four administrative districts. Gangtok is the Capital of this hilly state.

History
Sikkim is, today, a state of the Indian Union, due to a combination of politically significant events. Ruled by the Gyalpo rulers as a political entity till the 18th century, Sikkim appealed to the British for help to overthrow the emigrant Bhutanese and Nepali Gorkhas, who threatened to outnumber the natives. A series of events led to the state becoming a protectorate of the British. In 1950, three years after India attained independence from Britain, a treaty was signed between Sikkim and India that made Sikkim an Indian protectorate. India assumed responsibility for the external relations, defense, and strategic communications of Sikkim. The terms of the 1950 Indo-Sikkimese treaty, however, included increased popular participation in government, and five general elections based on adult suffrage were held between 1952 and 1974. In the last of these elections, two rival parties merged to form the Sikkim Congress, which swept the polls. The party launched a campaign to obtain greater political liberties and rights that the chogyal attempted to suppress. With the situation getting out of control, the chogyal asked the government of India to take over the administration. India prepared a constitution for Sikkim that was approved by its national assembly in 1974. In a 1975 special referendum, more than 97 percent of the electorate voted for the merger of Sikkim with India. Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union on May 15, 1975

Society and Culture

The population of Sikkim comprises three main groups of people, the Lepchas, Bhutias and the Nepalese.The Lephhas, also called Kongpa, or the people of the ravines are said to be the original inhabitants of Sikkim. There is a popular legend about them that, from beneath the slopes of Kanchenjunga, God created a man and a woman from whom all Sikkimese descended. These first people were called Lepcha and their land was known as Mayal Lyang. The Lepcha are great industrialists, speak a distinct dialect and have their own names for rivers, flowers, plants, animals, and even insects.

Bhutias, the next major community had their original home in Tibet, and came and settled in Sikkim about seven centuries ago. They introduced Buddhism in Sikkim, and this is today the state’s major religion. The Bhutias are successful traders and agriculturists, are generally more tough than the others, and can be found tending cattle even at very high altitudes.

The Nepalese form the third major ethnic group in Sikkim, and today form the dominant population. They came to Sikkim as recently as two centuries ago, many during the Gurkha invasions and they are Hindu by religion.

The population is mostly rural, living in scattered hamlets and villages. Gangtok, with fewer than 30,000 people, is Sikkim’s largest settlement; other towns, in descending order of population, include Singtam, Rongphu, Jorthang, Nayabazar, Mangan, Gyalshing, and Namchi.

Hindi is the official language, with English as the working language of the government; Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, and Limbu are also spoken.

The Sikkimese, are by nature, a simple, polite and non – aggressive people. Being devout Buddhists, they celebrate their festivals with a characteristic mixture of abandon and reserve. Life in Sikkim is according to some, a never – ending festival, for there are vibrant festivities throughout the year. They are the reflection of the rich cultural heritage of the state, which combines Buddhism and Hinduism with the original traditions of the Lepchas. The major monastries like Pemayangtse, Tsuklakhang, Enchey and Rumtek are important venues for Buddhist festivals. Pang Lhabsol, Drukpa Tseshi, Losoong, Saga Dawa and Dasain are the most popular festivals. A favourite form of celebration is drinking of ‘Chang’, the millet beer of the Himalayas. Packed into tall bamboo containers, the drink is sipped through a bamboo pipe.

One of the most colourful performances in the world are Sikkim’s mask dances, performed by Lamas in the ‘gompa’ (monastery) courtyards. The fascinating dances of Kagyat and the masked Rumtek, and Enchey ‘Chaams’ (ritual dance of the lamas), are the popular dances, which recreate legends and myths, connected with Buddhism, and the eternal triumph of good over evil.

Knotted woollen carpets with the dominating dragon emblem, and eight auspicious signs; wood carvings, Lepcha handlooms in traditional designs and rich colours for clothes, bags, linen and accessories; leather jackets and handbags, articles of homemade paper, Thanka (religious scroll paintings) and Sikkimese Dragon Jewellery make a fascinating collection of handicrafts, inspired by an age old culture.

Economy and Infrastructure

The economy of Sikkim is basically agrarian. Maize, rice, wheat, potato, large cardamom, ginger and orange are the principal crops. Ginger, potato, orange and off season vegetables are the other cash crops. Sikkim is one of the world’s main producers of cardamom.

Livestock includes cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry. Cattle and buffalo are limited mainly to the subtropical humid belt, while yaks and sheep are herded in the higher elevations in the north.

Copper, lead, zinc, coal, graphite, and limestone are among the minerals found in the state, though not all are commercially exploited. Forest resources and hydroelectric potential are considerable. A number of industrial units have also come up in the state in the area of fruit jams and juices, bakery products, beer, plastic goods, wrist watches and leather goods.Traditional handicrafts, tourism, and the development of new industry are also important to Sikkim’s economy

Roads, though not extensive, are the primary mode of travel. Ropeways have also been provided at many points. The capital of Gangtok is nearly 75 miles from the nearest airport at Baghdogra and 70 miles from the railhead at Shiliguri, both in West Bengal.Important hydel power projects include Kalez Hydel Project and Lachung in North Sikki.

Tourist Centres

Some of the important tourist centres are: Gangktok, Bakkhim- a natural garden, Yoksum- meeting of three great Lamas, Dhubdi monastery, Tashing Monastary, Rumtek monastary, etc. There are 200 monastaries in Sikkim. Khangchendzonga National Park is one of the highest national parks in the world and includes the world’s third highest mountain (Kanchenjunga). The Yak and the musk are the animals found in Sikkim. There are over 4000 species of plants.

Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the subcontinent. It is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat. The Tropic of Cancer passes through its southern tip in the Banswara district. The state has an area of 132,140 square miles (342,239 square kilometres). The capital city is jaipur.

In the west, Rajasthan is relatively dry and infertile; this area includes some of the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. In the southwestern part of the state, the land is wetter, hilly, and more fertile. The climate varies throughout Rajasthan. On average winter temperatures range from 8° to 28° C (46° to 82° F) and summer temperatures range from 25° to 46° C (77° to 115° F). Average rainfall also varies; the western deserts accumulate about 100 mm (about 4 in) annually, while the southeastern part of the state receives 650 mm (26 in) annually, most of which falls from July through September during the monsoon season.

Rajasthan has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 200 seats. The state sends 35 members to the Indian national parliament: 10 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and 25 to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 30 districts.

History

Archaeological and historical evidence shows a continuous human habitation of the area dating back 100,000 years. Between the 7th and the 11th century AD, several dynasties arose, with Rajput strength reaching its peak at the beginning of the 16th c. Emperor Akbar brought the Rajput states into the Mughal empire; by early 19th c, they allied with the Marathas. With the decline of the Mughals, the Rajputs gradually clawed back their independence through a series of spectacular victories, but, by then a new force to reckon with, had emerged on the scene in the form of the British. Most Rajput states entered into alliances with the British, which allowed them to continue as independent states, each with its own maharaja, subject to certain economic and political constraints. These alliances proved to be the beginning of the end of the Rajputs, and soon the extravagance and indulgence of the rulers led to the disintegration of the Rajput kingdoms.The present form of Rajasthan came into being after the Independence.

Society and Culture

The Rajputs (Rajputs) though representing only a small percentage of the population, are the most important section of the population in Rajasthan. They are proud of their warlike reputation and of their ancestry. The Brahman class is subdivided into many gotras, while the Mahajan (the trading class) is subdivided into a bewildering number of groups. Some of these groups are Jainas, while others are Hindus. In the north and west the Jats and Gujars are among the largest agricultural communities.

Aboriginal peoples in the Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas include the Minas (Mewatis); the Banjaras, who are traveling tradesmen and artisans; and the Gadia Lohars, another itinerant tribe, who make and repair agricultural and household implements. The Bhils, one of the oldest peoples in India, inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in archery. The Grasias and nomadic Kathodis live in the Mewar region. Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.

The principal language of the state is Rajasthani, comprising a group of Indo-Aryan dialects derived from Dingal, a tongue in which bards once sang of the glories of their masters. The four main dialects are Marwari (in western Rajasthan), Jaipuri or Dhundhari (in the east and southeast), Malvi (Malwi; in the southeast), and, in Alwar, Mewati, which shades off into Braj Bhasa in Bharatpur district. The use of Rajasthani is declining with the spread of modern education, and its place is being taken by Hindi (the official state language of Rajasthan). Hinduism, the religion of most of the population, is generally practiced through the worship of Brahma, Siva, Sakti, Vishnu (Visnu), and other gods and goddesses. Nathdwara is an important religious centre for the Vallabhacarya sect of Krishna followers. There are also followers of the Arya Samaj, a reforming sect of modern Hinduism, as well as other forms of that religion. Jainism is also important; it has not been the religion of the rulers of Rajasthan but has followers among the trading class and the wealthy section of society. Mahavirji, Ranakpur, Dhulev, and Karera are the chief centres of Jaina pilgrimage. Another important religious sect is formed by the Dadupanthis, the followers of Dadu (d. 1603), who preached the equality of all men, strict vegetarianism, total abstinence from intoxicating liquor, and lifelong celibacy.

Islam, the religion of the state’s second largest religious community, expanded in Rajasthan with the conquest of Ajmer by Muslim invaders in the late 12th century. Khwajah Mu’in-ud-Din Chishti, the Muslim missionary, had his headquarters at Ajmer, and Muslim traders, craftsmen, and soldiers settled there. The state’s population of Christians and Sikh is small.

The typical folk dance of Rajasthan is the ghoomar, which is performed on festive occasions only by women. The geer dance (performed by men and women), the panihari (a graceful dance for women), and the kacchi ghori (in which male dancers ride dummy horses) are also popular. The most famous song is “Kurja,” which tells the story of a woman who wishes to send a message to her absent husband by the kurja (a type of bird), who is promised a priceless reward for his service. Rajasthan has made its contribution to Indian art, and there is a rich literary tradition, especially of bardic poetry. Chand Bardai’s poem Prithvi Raj Raso or Chand Raisa, the earliest manuscript of which dates to the 12th century, is particularly notable. A popular source of entertainment is the khyal, a dance drama composed in verse with festive, historical, or romantic themes. Rajasthan abounds in objects of antiquarian interest, including early Buddhist rock inscriptions, Jaina temples, forts, splendid princely palaces, and Muslim mosques and tombs.

The spring festival Gangaur during late March to early April and the Teej festival between early and late August are important. The Teej welcomes the monsoon, when the state’s many lakes become full. The Pushkar camel and cattle fair during mid-November, the Nagaur festival during late January to early February and the Koolyat Fair at Bikaner during mid to late November are well known fairs. The Desert Festival at Jaisalmer during early to mid-February is a famous modern fair.

Economy and Infrastructure

Rajasthan’s economy is mainly agricultural; millet, wheat, maize (corn), and cotton are grown. Though parts of the state are extremely dry, and are covered by the Thar desert, the total cultivable area in the state is 27,465 thousand hectares, and the sown area, 20,167 thousand hectares. Tourism is also an important part of the economy.

Primarily an agricultural and pastoral economy, Rajasthan have good mineral resources. Rajasthan accounts for India’s entire output of zinc concentrates, emeralds and garnets, 94% of it’s gypsum, 76% of silver ore, 84% of asbestos, 68% of felspar and 12% mica. It has rich salt deposits at Sambhar and elsewhere and copper mines at Khetri and Dariba. The white marble is mined at Markana near Jodhpur. The main industries are textiles, the manufacture of rugs and woolen goods, vegetable oils and dyes. Heavy industries includes the construction of railway rolling stock, copper and zinc smelting. The chemical industry also produces caustic soda, calcium carbide and sulphuric acid, fertiliser, pesticides and insecticides. The principal industrial complexes are at Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur and Bhilwara.

Having much arid land, Rajasthan needs extensive irrigation. It receives water from the Punjab rivers and also from the Western Yamuna (Haryana) and Agra canals (Uttar Pradesh) and from the Sabarmati and Narmada Sagar projects to the south. There are thousands of tanks (village ponds or lakes), but they suffer from drought and silt. Rajasthan shares the Bhakra Nangal project with the Punjab and the Chambal Valley project with Madhya Pradesh; both are used to supply water for irrigation and for drinking purposes. The Rajasthan Canal, renamed the Indira Gandhi Canal in the mid-1980s for the late prime minister, carries water from the Beas and Sutlej rivers in Punjab some 400 miles to irrigate desert land in northwestern and western Rajasthan.

Electricity supplies are obtained from neighbouring states and from the Chambal Valley project. There is a nuclear energy plant at Rawatbhata, near Kota. Rajasthan is well connected by rail, air and roads. Total length of roads was 77,347 km as on March 1999. Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Sawai Madhppur and Bharatpur are main rail junctions of the state. Regular air services connect Jaipur, Jodhpur and udaipur with Delhi and Mumbai.

Tourist centres

Rajasthan has several tourist sights, especially in ancient and medieval architecture. Places of interest are Mount Abu, Ajmer, Alwar(Sariska tiger sanctuary), Bharatpur (Keoladeo bird sanctuary), Bikaner, Jaipur (the Pink City), Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pali, Jaisalmar and Chittorgarh. Tourism was given industry status in 1992.

Punjab is situated in the northwestern corner of the country. It is bounded on the north by the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, on the east by Himachal Pradesh and the Union territory of Chandigarh, on the south by Haryana and Rajasthan, and on the west by Pakistan. The city of Chandigarh is the joint administrative capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The word Punjab is a compound of two Persian words, panj (“five”) and ab (“water”), signifying historically the land of five waters, or rivers. Owing to territorial changes, however, only two of the rivers referred to (the Sutlej and the Beas) lie within the boundaries of India’s Punjab.

Punjab has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 117 seats. The state sends 19 members to the Indian national parliament; 7 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and 12 to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). The state is made up of 12 districts.

History

Punjab has a recorded history beginning from the annexation of Punjab and Sindh to the Persian Empire by Darius (c. 518 B.C). Many Muslim emperors ruled over Punjab before the Mughals entered the political scene in 1526. Under the Mughals, Punjab enjoyed relative peace and prosperity which lasted for more than 200 years. Later, British rule took over Punjab after a period of vigorous struggle by the Sikhs against the foreign domination. When India finally attained Independence in 1947, Punjab was split into two parts, the larger portion becoming a part of Pakistan. The Partition resulted in a brutal lose of lives and properties. The present provincial boundaries were drawn in 1970.

Society and Culture
According to the census of 1991, Punjab had a population of 20,281,986, with an average density of 403 persons per sq km. The population of Punjab consists mainly of Punjabis, Jats and Rajputs. Punjabi, the principal spoken language of present-day Punjab is also the official state language, written in the Gurmukhi script. The majority 60 per cent of the population follow Sikhism, a faith originated from the teachings of Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. The largest minority is Hindu followed by Muslims, Buddhists, Christian and Jains. Scheduled castes of both the Hindu and Sikh religion constitute about one-fourth of the Punjab’s population. The literacy rate of Punjab is 59%.

The culture of Punjab is best reflected in its folklore, ballads of love and war, fairs and festivals, dancing, music and literature. Punjab holds numerous religious and seasonal festivals, such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Baisakhi, as well as anniversary celebrations in honour of Gurus and saints. The bhangra, jhumar, and sammi are the popular dance forms. The giddha, a native Punjabi form, is a humorous song-dance performed by women. In addition to Sikh religious music, semiclassical Mughal forms, such as the khayal, thumri, ghazal, and qawwali, continue to be popular. Punjabi literature owes its origin to the mystical and religious writings of the 13th century Muslim sufi (mystic) Shikh Farid and of the 15th-16th century Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, who were the first to use Punjabi extensively as medium of their politically tinged poetic pursuits. Author Bhai Vir Singh and the poets Puran Singh and Dhani Ram Chatrik inaugurated the modern Punjabi literature at the beginning of the 20th century.

Punjab is also famous for its handicraft products. Young girls in villages weave durries (cotton bed or floor spreads) in different attractive designs. Needlework of Punjab is unique. Baghs, Phulkaris, rumals and scarves are intricately designed in rich traditional patterns and motifs. The woodwork of Punjab is exquisitely beautiful. Artistic beds with comfortable, skillfully made back rests fitted with mirrors and carved colourful legs called Pawas, low seats called Peeras, Peerian were made by the carpenters in almost every village. Furniture designed with inlay ivory work, coloured mirror and engraved woodwork is also exported to different countries.

Economy and infrastructure

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Punjab and forms the backbone of the state economy. More than 80 percent of Punjab is cultivated. Punjab alone contributed about 62 per cent of wheat, and 50 per cent of rice, to the central pool in the 1994-95 seasons, despite the fact, that it comprises only 1.53 per cent of the area in the country. The major crops are wheat, maize (corn), rice, pulses (legumes), sugarcane, and cotton. Among the livestock raised are buffalo and other cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. The principal industries include the manufacture of textiles, sewing machines, sporting goods, starch, fertilizers, bicycles, scientific instruments, electrical goods, and machine tools, and the processing of sugar and pine oil.

Punjab has developed a network of about 30,000 miles of road, of which about 75 percent are surfaced. A fairly dense and efficient network of the Northern railway zone- a part of the national railway system – exists in Punjab. Regular air passenger service from Delhi to Chandigarh and to the Punjabi cities of Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda is available. Like the railways, the postal and telegraph services and radio and television broadcasting are under the central government’s control.

Tourist centres

Punjab is dotted with places of historical and cultural interest. Ropar, one of the centers of Indus Valley Civiliztion, Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple, the ancient fort of Bhatinda, the architectural monuments of Kapurthala, the City of Gardens, Patiala and Chandigarh, the capital designed by the Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier are among the leading tourist attractions of the state.

Once a French colony, Pondicherry still has a few French families living there and French is an important language. The French spirit can be discerned in the very layout of the township. The magnificent statues of Joseph Francois Dupleix and Joan of Arc, the warrior saint of France tell of a significant French influence on the history of the place. The French Institute of Indology and Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient are the living legacies of the former French occupation of the territory.

Languages

Languages spoken in Pondicherry are Tamil, Telugu, Malayam, Hindi, French and English.

Climate

The state enjoys a tropical climate, it is usually hot and humid and the monsoon lasts from October to December.

Religion Hindu, Christian, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam.
Capital Pondicherry
Time Zone GMT +5.30 hrs
Area Codes
Pondicherry 0413
Karaikal 4368
Mahe 497
Yanam 884

Important Festivals

International Yoga Festival (January)
Sani Peyarchi Festival (Once in every three years)
Panguni Uthiram Festival (March – April)
Veeerampattinam Festival
Masi Magan
Pongal

Statistics

Area
Total 492 sq.km
Pondicherry 293 sq.km
Karaikal 160 sq.km
Mahe 9 sq.km
Yanam 30 sq.km
Population
Total 9,12,000
Males 408081
Females 399704 (Census 1991)
Literacy Rate 90%
Road length (total) 2251Kms
Total No. of motor Vehicles 1,41329 (1995-96)
No. of telephone lines 39339
No. of telephone exchanges 16
Per Capita electricity consumption 161KWH
Economy
Net State Domestic Product 26185 lakhs (1996)
Per capita income Rs 11677
Per capita investment in Rs 8311 (1995-96)

TOURISM

Arikamedhu

It is an archaeological site at a distance of 20 kms from the Pondicherry town. Recent excavations here have revealed some Roman coins, wine jars and other remains, which prove that Arikamedhu was the earliest Indo – Roman trading centre.

Auroville

The city of Dawn as it is also called was established in 1968. People from many parts of the world have settled down here making it a microcosmic replica of the world – a number of different communities living in harmony. There are about 40 settlements in Auroville.

Bharati Museum

The house of the famous poet Subramaniya Bharati at Easwaran Dharmaja Koil Street has been made into a museum.

Bharatidasan Museum

Another poet Kanaksubburatnam wrote under the name of Bharatidasan, he scaled the same heights in poetry as Bharati had done. His house at Perumal Koil Street has also been made into a museum.

Boat House

The boathouse is on the bank of river Chunnambar at a distance of 8 Kms from Pondicherry.

Botanical Garden

The garden was laid out in the year 1826. Many plants were brought here from the different parts of the country and also places like Ceylon and Reumian.

Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus

A church dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus with beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from life of Jesus Christ.

Government Square

The Governor’s Square encloses a beautiful garden which has a monument Aayi Mandapam at its centre. There are some carved monolithic pillars, which were brought to Pondicherry from Gingee in 1751.

Pondicherry Museum

Here are many artifacts that belong to the bygone era of Pondicherry. The relics of the Chola, Pallava and the Vijaynagar periods trace the history of this place.

Promenade

An ideal place for a stroll, the Promenade is a 1.5Km long walk built along the beach. On the beachfront, there are statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jeanne d’Arc and Dupleix, a war memorial, the Heritage building and an old lighthouse that is 27 metres tall.

Raj Niwas

This palatial building is completely French in style and was the residence of Joseph Francois Dupleix. It is now the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor of Pondicherry.

Shri Aurobindo Ashram

Shri Aurobindo, a famous poet established the Ashram in 1920. The Samadhi in the Ashram premises is the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo and the mother. The Ashram has become a centre for the practice of Yoga and a place of learning. The ashram activities include agriculture, industries, art and culture.

Thiruvakkarai

Thiruvakkarai or Tiruvakkarai is at a distance of 30 kms from the Pondicherry town. The first Wood-Fossil Park of the country is situated here. The Chandramouliswara Temple is another tourist destination in this place.

Pondicherry Beach
Pondicherry has a beautiful unpolluted beach that is 1.5km long.

The other places of tourist interest in Pondicherry are: -

French Institute
Jawahar Toy Museum
Manakula Vinayanagar
Mansion Anandha
Mailam Murugan Temple
Mandagupettu
Ousteri Lake

INDUSTRIAL PROFILE

Tourism and fisheries are the obvious industries of Pondicherry but other specialized industries in the area have also been developed. The emergence of these industries has strengthened the industrial infrastructure of the place, which in turn assists and promotes further industrial development and progress.

Industrial Infrastructure

Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation
Industrial Estates
Thattanchavady
Kattukupam (the rural industrial estate)
Mettupalayam
Sederapet
Kirumampakkam
Resources

Bank
Total no of branches 96
Power
Power availability 225 MN
Power generated 32.50 MW
Industries large scale Total
Food Products 3 798
Cotton Products 7 730
Wood Products — 413
Paper Products 3 337
Leather, Rubber and Plastics 4 516
Chemicals and Chemical products 11 1410
Non metallic Mineral Products 4 246
Metal products 2 723
Machinery products 2 440
Miscellaneous products — 172
Repairing and servicing — 236
Total
6162

Upcoming Industrial Areas

Electronic Industrial Estate is coming up at Thiruvanai, at a distance of 20 Kms from Pondicherry.
Software Technology Park (in association with the Software Technology Park, Bangalore) is coming up at Kalapet, Pondicherry.
Export Processing Zone is being established in Sedarapet, Pondicherry.
A Growth Centre is being developed in Polagam, Karaikal
Integrated Infrastructural Development Centre is being developed in Sedarapet, Pondicherry.
There are ample investment opportunities in the state especially in the industries related to:

Information Technology and Software
Electronics
Agro processing including marine products
Textiles including garments
Leather products and footwear
Light Engineering including Auto components

Orissa is located on India’s east coast. It is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east and by the states of West Bengal in the northeast, Bihar in the north, Madhya Pradesh in the West, and Andhra Pradesh in the south. The state occupies an area of about 156,000 square kilometers. The capital of Orissa is Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar is also the most populated city in Orissa. Cuttack and Puri are two other cities with high populations.

The history of Orissa has a place of distinction in the Indian folklore. The famous Battle of Kalinga was fought near the city of Bhubaneswar in 260 BC. The battle transformed Emperor Ashoka into a philanthropist and patronizer of the Buddhist faith. Many battles took place during this time period, and the next rulers of the Orissan area were the Kesari, a Hindu people, and then the Ganga. Then in the 16th century the Mughals brought Orissa in its empire followed by the Marathas. The British rule entered the political scene and took control of the state in 1803 with the rest of India. Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism flourished in Orissa.

As of 1991, the time that the last recorded census was taken, there were approximately 31, 660, 000 people living in the state of Orissa. Fewer than 14% of all citizens of Orissa live in cities. This number illustrates the great number of people who live in the country and work on farms. The ratio of males to females is about 1: 9.7. About one half of all the people living in Orissa can read, a high number for a relatively rural state. The most common language spoken in Orissa is Oriya. The average individual income, annually, is 3,963 Rupees.

Over 76% of the people are dependent on agriculture. Out of the gross cropped area of 87.46 lakh hectares are 87.79 lakh hectares are irrigated. Rice, pulses, oil-seeds, jute, mesta, sugarcane, coconut and turmeric are important crops. The state contributes one-tenth of the rice production in India.

The Central Sector Projects are: Steel Plant at Rourkela, SAND Complex at Chhatrapur, Heavy Water Project at Talcher, Coach Repairing Workshop at Mancheswar, Aluminium Complex at Koraput, Captive Power Plant at Angul, Aluminium Smelter at Angul and Fertilizer Plant at Paradip. Major thermal and hydel power stations are Talcher, Hirakud, and Chiplima. Major rhermal and hydel power stations are Talcher, Hirakud and Chiplima. Other power projects are Upper Indravati, Upper Kolab, Rengali and Ib.

Industry also plays a key role in the economy. Products manufactured in Orissa include textiles, paper, leather goods, cement, soap, glass, aluminum, and flour. Some of the natural resources that are mined are iron, coal, and zinc. Orissa has trade relations with other states of India, the United States, Japan, Britain, and Germany.

There are many products that are shipped in and out of Orissa annually. The main exports are expensive gems, fish, fancy jewelry, baskets, and clothing. Orissa is known world-wide for its fine cloths and the painstaking effort with which they are made. Orissa also imports many things. The chief imports are machinery, steel, and fuel.

Places of interest are: Lingaraja Temple,Mukteswar Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple and Rajarani Temple, the Jain and Buddhist rock-cut caves of Khandagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauli together with Ashoka’s edict.

Puri and Konark are major tourist attraction. Hirakud Dam, the fourth largest in the world is also worth seeing. Chilka, the largest brackish water inland lake in Asia, stretches over an area of 1100 sq. km. The largest Lion Safari of India, and the only White Tiger Safari in the world, are located in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Odissi, one of the dance forms of India continues to draw admirers throughout the world.