INDIA

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country located in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, and the second most populous country in the world. India has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometres,and borders Pakistan to the west, Nepal, the People's Republic of China

Home to the Indus Valley Civilization, a centre of important trade routes and vast empires, India has long played a major role in human history. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism all have their origins in India, while Islam and Christianity enjoy a strong cultural heritage. Colonised as part of the British Empire in the nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified nation after an intense struggle for independence. The country has one of the most diverse populations, wildlife, geographical terrain and climate systems found anywhere in the world.

The Consitution of India states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. It is often referred to as the largest democracy in the world, by virtue of the fact that it has the largest electing population amongst democratic countries. India has a federal form of government and a bicameralparliamentoperating under a Westminster-style parliamentary system. It has three branches of governance: the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.

The President is the head of state, though he has a largely ceremonial role to play. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of India's armed forces. The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college for five-year terms. The Prime Minister is the de facto head of government, and has most executive powers. He or she is appointed by the President, with the requirement that he or she enjoy the support of the majority of the party or coalition securing the most number of seats in lower house of the Parliament.

The legislature of India is the bicameral Parliament, which consists of the upper house called the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the lower house called the Lok Sabha (House of People). The 245-member Rajya Sabha is chosen indirectly through the state Legislative Assemblies, and has a staggered six-year term. Each state sends members to the Rajya Sabha in a proportion of its population. The 545-member Lok Sabha is directly elected by popular vote for a five-year term, and is the determinative constituent of political power and government formation. All Indian citizens above age 18 are eligible to vote.

The executive arm consists of the President, Vice-President, and the Council of Ministers (the Cabinet being its executive committee) headed by the Prime Minister. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of either house of parliament. In the Indian parliamentary system, the executive is subordinate to the legislature.

India's independent judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court has both original jurisdiction over disputes between states and the Centre, and appellate jurisdiction over the eighteen High Courts of India, and additionally, the power to declare Union and state laws null and void if in conflict with the Constitution.

Economy

The economy of India is the fourth largest in the world as measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), with a GDP of US $3.63 trillion. However when it comes to PPP—GDP per capita figures—India's economy is ranked 122nd in the world. When measured in USD exchange-rate terms, it is the twelfth largest in the world, with a GDP of US $775 billion (2005). India is the second fastest growing major economy in the world, with a GDP growth rate of 8.4% at the end of the first quarter of 2006. However, India's huge population results in a relatively low per capita income of $3,400 at PPP and is classified as a developing nation.

For most of its independent history India has adhered to a socialist-inspired approach, with strict government control over private sector participation, foreign trade, and foreign direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls on foreign trade and investment. Privatisation of public-owned industries and opening up of certain sectors to private and foreign players has proceeded slowly amid political debate.

India has a labour force of 496.4 million of which agriculture constitutes 60%, industry 17%, and services 23%. India's agricultural produce include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry and fish. Major industries include textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum and machinery.

In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large number of educated population who are fluent in the English language to become an important location for global companies utsourcing>customer service and technical support call centers. It is also a major exporter of software, financial, research and technology services. India's most important trading partners are the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, and the United Arab Emirates

The Salvation Army in India
India is the Salvation Army’s oldest mission field. The Army’s work started on 29 September 1882 in Bombay (which is now called Mumbai) by Major Tucker who later took the Indian name of Fakir Singh. Except for the evangelistic work, different social programs in India were established for relieving distress from disease, flood and epidemic. To help the depressed classes there were provided educational facilities such as elementary, secondary and industrial schools, cottage industries and settlements. The development of the medical work started in 1893 when Harry Andrews set up a dispensary at the headquarters in India. Since then, the medical work has grown a lot. Work among the Criminal Tribes has also been established in 1908 at government
invitation.


The Salvation Army is registered as a Guarantee Company under the Indian companies Act 1913. Many different offices had been established in the country and since the establishment of the Health Services Advisory Council in 1986, a regionally based national secretariat has given support to many aspects of the Salvation Army’s work
in India.

The Salvation Army in India Central Territory
The central territory of India includes three regions: North Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The territory was named the India Central Territory in 1992 and it has its headquarters at Madras. The Salvation Army’s work in this region begins in 1895 in Andhra Pradesh and it has been established by Staff Captain Abdul Aziz, who from the beginning had a Muslim background. After attending a meeting in 1884 at Bangalore he decided to dedicate himself to the Salvation Army and to become a Salvation Army officer.

The year 2004 started with the theme “Enlarge Your Tent” and with the visit of the Salvation Army world leaders. It has been a few years since they last have visited this territory and this happening was a great encouragement for the officers, soldiers and Salvationists. As the theme for the year was “Enlarge”, this getting together of officers from every corner of the territory was a tremendous success. There were many grand public meetings at different places, but the meeting at Bapatla was especially successful since 12 000 people attended it. Fund-raiser representatives were also at place and saw the feeding programs at four centers in Chennai as well as the working conditions of the hostels. Games equipment for the hostel children was donated.

The work among the youth has also seen a great growth, with a lot of involvement of young people in ministry. Information technology is also rapidly growing. An IT seminar conducted at Territorial Headquarters in May 2004 encouraged officers to use this method of communication. Now, almost all divisions, hospitals, schools, the training college and emergency relief service are computerized.


India Eastern territory
The states included in this territory are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, part of Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. India Eastern territory became a separate command on 1 June 1991 and became a territory in 1993.

The work in this region began on 26 April 1917 when Lieutenant Kawlkhuma, the first Mizo officer commissioned in India, returned to start the Army work. He was later joined by a group of believers who shared his vision and ideas. n September 2003, an educational Review Council was formed and it contributed to the formulation of policies and an efficient management system for the education ministry. Many schools in this region, spread across the territory, educate a large amount of children.

The Mary Scott Home for the Blind in Kalimpong and the School for Deaf and Dumb Children in Darjeeling continue to provide education and care for their residents. Work among young people continue with events and programs conducted by every corps and division. Salvation Army Youth (SAY) continues its ministry by taking part in many social programs, such as blood donations, feeding the poor and raising funds for the social ministry.

There is commitment to work among women at grass roots level, to assist them in their struggles against poverty, discrimination and exploitation by organizing them nto self-help groups. Three hundred workers, known as Cross Soldiers and Evangelist teachers work in the most difficult parts of north-east India. Prayer ministry begins at 5:30 am, when soldiers and officers come together for a brief time of praise and prayer. 1 132 new soldiers were won and two new corps were opened. Members of the India National Secretariat contributed to the work of the territory by their visits, workshops and consultations. The generous support of International Headquarters through grants and mission support project funds greatly help the territory in its ongoing work in the construction of many buildings. All this enabled the territory to continue God’s mission.

India Northern Territory

Among other states, the northern territory of India includes the Union Territories of Delhi, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The boundaries of the India Northern Territory have changed over the years. In 1947, part of the territory became Pakistan. The present territory was established on 1 June 1991. There have been Headquarters at different places, but the more recently one is in Delhi.


The whole 2004 was dedicated to spiritual growth, and with this theme, every crops, centre, institution, school and medical centre collaborated in preparing programs to promote spiritual growth. Big gatherings were formed and they were attended not only by Salvationists but also by other Christians and non-Christians. With help of soldiers and local officers, the Army is completing long- pending projects and solving disputes, thereby bringing peace and harmony to the territory.

A territorial Women’s Development Officer was appointed in 2004 and there are plans for establishing self-help groups, with the support of a project from Australia, to help in the development of women. Seminars for youth, women and social officers were held and many other programs are also undertaken by the Human Resources Department. In summery, the territory is glad to show evidence of both spiritual growth and temporal growth by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of officers and soldiers. All glory to God.

India South Eastern territory
The states included in this territory are Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The Salvation Army began operations in south-east India on 27 May 1892 as a result of the vision received by Major Deva Sundarman at Medicine Hill, while praying and fasting with three officers when the persecution in Southern Tamil Nadu was at its height. On 1 October 1970 the Tamil-speaking part of the Southern India Territory became a separate entity as the Army experienced rapid growth.


Nowadays, in India South Eastern Territory, 55% of the population is Christian. In this part of the country, the army is received with respect by the humble and simple people of these areas when they are treated as children of God and as equals. The Army in the South East is going for the least and the lost. Thanks to donations from Salvationists from other countries, it is possible to build halls in different areas. Corps Helper Seresh began the Army’s work there by attracting young people with his songs and Bible stories. He also helped school children with their studies in the evenings.

Many women have also been helped without any discrimination. They are finding the means to stand on their feet and help their families financially, which in turn gives them confidence in themselves and their abilities. Many women affected by AIDS are encouraged to join the groups and live happy. Thanks to many sponsorships and donations, children in the villages are getting good food, education and medical care. Youth in the corps are getting involved in the care of the sick and needy. Salvationists of the territory are expecting great things from God and are willing to do great things for God.

IndaSouth Western territory
The state included in this territory is Kerala. The territory was formed on 1 October 1970 when the Southern ndia Territory divided into two. The Salvation Army work began in the old Travancore State on 18 March 1894 by Captain Yesudasen Sanjivi, who was a high-caste Brahmin before his conversion. His son, Colonel Donald A. Sanjivi, became the first territorial commander from Kerala. The work spread to other parts of the state through the dedication of pioneer officers, including Commissioner P. E. George.

India Western Territory
The Salvation Army began its work in Bombay (later called Mumbai) in 1882 as a pioneer party led by Major Frederick Tucker invaded India with the love of Jesus. Bombay was the capital of Bombay Province, which included Gujarat and Maharashtra, and the first headquarters in India was in a rented building at Khatwadi.
From these beginnings the work of God grew in Bombay Province. Various models of administration were tried until the India Western Territory was established in 1921.

In spite of opposition and persecution, tremendous evangelic growth was carried out during 2003. Fifteen new corps were opened, mainly in big cities and tribe areas, and 2 374 soldiers were added to the rolls. As a result of the spiritual growth, young people are very active in every section of the corps work.

A free feeding program not only meets the physical need of more than 200 people at three centers, but also takes care of their spiritual welfare. Strict government restrictions have made it difficult to get authorization to visit prisons, but now a good prison ministry is being carried out in three prisons. During 2003 Christmas season, Salvation Army teams visited children, young people, women and men prisoners, supporting them with daily requirements and conducting meetings.

Together with the upgrading of existing children’s homes, a new children’s home called Ray of Hope was opened in a distant tribal area. The building houses 63 boys and girls. Apart from being given a home, the children also receive a good education, something which was not previously available to them. Special attention was also given to becoming financially independent. The territory’s hostels for young women have been upgraded in order to generate more income. Two of the English medium schools are also a growing source of income. During 2004 four English medium nursery schools were opened. The territory also receives a lot of donations which help for different building projects for various activities.

Earthquakes
India is one of the countries that have experienced some of the world’s strongest and most devastating earthquakes. In April 1905, approximately 19 000 people died in Kangra District (northeastern Himachal Pradesh) and in September 1993 more than 30 000 died in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Major earthquakes also occurred in Assam in 1950, killing more than 1 500 people as well as in Uttarkashi Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh) i n 1991 where around 1 600 people were killed.


Indian Ocean Earthquake
On 26 December 2004 occurred the Indian Ocean earthquake, which among the scientist is known as the Sumatra- Andaman earthquake. It was an undersea earthquake which occurred at 07:58:53 local time and it originated in the Indian Ocean, north of Simeulue Island. The tsunami generated by this earthquake took
approximately 275 000 lives and it is one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. The magnitude of the earthquake given by the scientists varies between 9.0 and 9.3, which makes it the second largest earthquake recorded on a seismograph. Most of the major earthquakes usually last no more than a few seconds, but this one continued for approximately 10 minutes. It caused the whole planet to vibrate at least a few centimeters.

The tsunami generated as a result of the earthquake devastated the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South India, Thailand and other countries. There were serious damages and dead people as far as the east coast of Africa. Between 170 000 and 275 000 people are thought to have died as a result of the tsunami. In Indonesia (February 2005) people were still finding approximately 500 dead bodies each day. The real number of the victims may never be known because many bodies have been swept out to the sea. There are further possibilities of more deaths due to the epidemics which occur as a result of poor sanitary and starvation, caused by the situation in the affected areas. This promotes a widespread humanitarian response
from many countries and organizations.


Tsunami in India
The impact of the tsunami in India resulted in 10 749 dead people, 5 640 missing, 6 913 injured. The most affected area was Tamil Nadu, with 7 983 reported deaths. The height of the tsunami waves was between 3 and 10 meters, they hit the southern and eastern coast of India and penetrated up to 3 km inside the country. The most damaged areas were the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karela and Tamil Nadu, as well as the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The coastal areas affected except for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is about 2 260 km.




Damages

Apart from the loss of people’s lives, there were more damages caused by the Tsunami on India. Coastal fisheries and agricultures were the economic sectors that were affected most. Fishing boats and nets, as well as fishing harbors and landing centers have been extensively damaged. It has been reported that 162 km of the
national highways, 462 km from the district highways have been affected. Moreover, 14 bridges and 78 drains were destroyed, and a big number of homes and government buildings were damaged. The overall damage is estimated to be approximately $660 million and the productivity losses about $410 million. Since the size of the Indian economy is so big, the impact of the damages will affect the macro economy very little. The GDP of the country will stay almost unaffected since the coastline activities do not bring much to the income of the income of the country.

Needs
The needs that people have after the tsunami are huge and of different nature. The overall rehabilitation and reconstruction needs are estimated to be in total $1.2 billion. People from the affected areas suffer because of fear from an environmental catastrophe that can occur if another tsunami came. There is therefore a need of
relief and recovery work. The most pressing needs for the moment are the needs for household supplies and public health interventions, as well as distribution of emergency food. Not last is the need for moral support and since a new building will not replace all that people have lost, showing friendship to those people will play
an important role for them to recover.

Response
After the disaster, the government of India together with other organizations responded quickly by starting effective relief operations. Help for assistance was asked also from ADB, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and International Fund for Agricultural Development, as well as from the World Bank.

The local Salvation Army gave immediate help. The staff from the hospital Catherine Booth in Nagercoil was on the beach at the very same day the tsunami occurred, pulling dead bodies from the sea. It set out with its local resources to respond to the needs. At the same time, the Salvation Army in Europe was on duty at the airports to help the families and the survivors that returned home. In India, the needs of the survivors were huge, so the relief programs began. The Salvation Army was feeding people, providing medical care, and helping with all the immediate things. The most important thing was a moral support to those who had lost everything.

The Salvation Army played a vital role in tsunami relief services. In order to provide the best possible services for the victims, International Headquarters opened its new Zonal Coordination Office in India Central Territories. In this region, a short-term feeding program has also been established to ensure people will be provided food.

In India South Western Territory, some 300 people died in the area, 3 500 houses were totally damaged and 1500 others partly damaged. People were shifted to 35 nearby schools and provided with shelter and food by the government and NGOs. The Salvation Army gave immediate relief as divisional commanders visited the disaster area with their officers and supplied rice, other food items and clothes. Territorial headquarters officers were on the scene soon after the disaster and provided rice, bed sheets, mats and clothing. Food, medicines, boats and fishing nets for the people’s livelihood have also been provided and the Salvation Army, with help from Swiss Solidarity and government authorities, has planned to construct houses for the people who lost their homes.

The Andaman and Nicobar area was most affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami tragedy. In 2004 the territory’s leaders had decided to re-open Salvation Army work there but the tsunami presented a new challenge in serving the people in this area. Through help from IHQ Emergency Services and South Asia Zone, The territory received much encouragement- particularly from the allocation of personnel and funds. Four national offices are busily engaged in a recovery and reconstruction program.

Future help
Almost one year after the catastrophe, the destruction of the devastating tsunami is still obvious. For this period of time, the Salvation Army in Sweden has gathered almost 7 million crones for helping India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In India the money has been used to help 57 335 people with food, clothes, houses, etc. To help the Tsunami victims, a number of corps from India Eastern Territory raised funds, and officers and employees gave one day’s salary for the Prime Minister’s Tsunami Relief Fund.

The Salvation Army is currently assessing the extent of the damage and looking at long-term ways to help people. The plans include also constructing houses for the people who lost their homes. The Salvation Army will help the affected regions and specifically by its coastal relief program, buying and repairing boats, restoring the
means of earning living by providing essential tools, and by replacing and rebuilding houses. The plans for helping people include working together with the government in order to reconstruct homes and villages, as well as to establish two villages in the Kanyakumari District (the most southern point of India). On 10 August 2005, a new program has been established, which aims to build 150 houses for the tsunami victims in Andaman.
Except for the construction work, the Salvation Army is also working on building the society in the affected areas. Centers for children are being built and developed, and not less important, a chance for educating children is also one of the main goals of the Salvation Army work.

Health
A number of serious diseases in India present a big problem for the public health in the country. The government has been involved in establishing different national programs which aim to control or eliminate those diseases. Such programs are the National Malaria Eradication Program and the National Filaria Control Program (established in 1955). Other programs aim to limit the occurrence of different infections, cholera, diarrhea diseases, trachoma, as well as sexually transmitted diseases.

In 1990s, about 389 million people were exposed to the risk of being infected from filarial parasites. 19 million people had the symptoms of being infected and 25 million were estimated to be hosts of the parasites. There were efforts to control the disease and eliminate the filarial larvae in urban areas. With help of the National Filaria Control Program, there were more than 200 control units involved in the operation.

Among all various diseases which outbreak in India, there is also the pneumonic plague which spread quickly in 1994 and killed hundreds of people before it could be controlled. In the 1980s, there were estimated around 10 million people who had tuberculosis, and one fourth of them were infectious. In 1991, again there were
detected 1.6 million cases of tuberculosis. Moreover, approximately 45 million people in India have damaged vision and around 12 million are blind. 170 million people are exposed to iodine deficiency and therefore get different disorders. In the late 1980s there was started a governmental program which aimed to iodinate all edible salt, by which in 1991 there was the highest production of iodinated salt. Other health problems include anomies resulting in poor nutrition, diseases caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies (for example beriberi and scurvy). Also a common problem is the parasitic infections.

One of the most common reasons for child mortality is diarrhea diseases. It is usually caused because of disposition to dirt or lack of safe drinking water. About 1 million people die every year of diseases caused by diarrhea. Less than 5% of the people living in rural areas have access to safe drinking water. About 50% of all the diseases in India are connected to poor sanitation. In the 1990s, only 3% of the rural population and 44% of the urban population had an access to sanitation services. In the rural areas, approximately 80% of the children are infected by parasitic worms.

Cancer is also a common problem in India. Up to 2 million cases of cancer have been estimated, and each year the number grows with 500 000 new cases. It is also estimated that the every year the total deaths of cancer is around 300 000. About 35% of the cancer cases are cancer of the oral cavity, which is caused of tobacco use and
pan chewing. Other cases are related to cervix and breast cancer.

AIDS
The cases of AIDS in India are steadily growing. The World Bank in 1995 gives a number of 2 million people having HIV, which is the highest in Asia. Based on the HIV infections in 1991, it was expected that by 1995 India would be the country that has the most cases of HIV and AIDS in the world. This expectation happened to be true, and the new predictions for 2000 were that there would be 1 million AIDS cases and 5 million HIV-positive. Once again, it turned out that the estimations were right. In 2001 the HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate was 0.9% and the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was 5.1 million. For the year 2001 the number of deaths resulting of HIV and AIDS was 310 000 people.

The main factors for spreading of the virus are heterosexual transmissions (mostly by urban prostitutes and migrant workers), the use of unsterilized needles by intravenous use, and transfusions of blood from infected donors. Despite the efforts for blood screening, India’s blood supply continues to be infected. The blood donated in 1991 has been screened for HIV only in 4 cities. One of the problems comes from the fact that around 30% of the donated blood is provided by private and profit-making banks that has their own practices, difficult to control. Another reason for the infected blood is that most of the donors are poor people who engage in high- risk sex and use of drugs. Some of the donors even donate blood several times at different places by different names. In 1992 for example, a study by the Indian Health Organization was performed and it revealed that 86% of the blood donors were HIV-positive.

A new program, National AIDS Control Program, was established in order to reduce the growth of the disease. A national education program in 1990 was also formed, aiming to prevent and control AIDS. In 1991 a television campaign was started, as well as signs on public streets and media announcements, which was supposed to raise the awareness of AIDS among people. Unfortunately, the success of those activities has not been big enough and there are still difficulties in controlling the spread of the virus.

Hospitals
Catherine Booth Hospital is one of the Salvation Army’s missions to help people. The hospital is a 200- bed hospital, serving approximately 200 000 people. It is a district hospital, situated in a rural area. The hospital includes special departments in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics and orthopedics. There is an associated training school for nurses, as well as a community health department. Nearby the hospital, the Salvation Army has its centers for vocational training for physically handicapped. The Salvation Army is providing the hospital with a wide variety of medical equipment, as well as highly clean materials. Salvation Army Human Aid Västeras has provided 200 kbm with hospital equipment to Catherine Booth Hospital.
Medical engineers have been there, installing the equipment and training the personal.

Furthermore, The Salvation Army Human Aid Västeras will provide four other hospitals in India South Western Territory with hospital equipment. In addition, The Salvation Army Health and Social Services Advisory Council has been established, which aims to help and provide facilitation support to the health. Programs against HIV/AIDS have also been established, and now the HIV/AIDS work exists and is active in almost 120 locations in India. The majority of these programs function from a church base, but some of them function from the hospitals or other social institutions.


Education
India has a low literacy level, and the gab between the literacy level of men and women is large. There is also a difference in the education level between urban and rural areas. Karela is one of the places with the highest literacy level of the population, but there are states where the rate of the literacy is less than 30%. Of the literate women in India, 59% have just received a primary education or even less, and just 13% of Indian women have a higher education. Just 3% of men and 1% of women in India have college education. Although there is a big progress and improvement in the education, there are still many barriers to education. One of the biggest problems is the level of poverty in the country. Some families, especially in the rural areas just can’t afford to send their children to school. The problem is even bigger for the girls, since the parents prefer to keep the girls in the homes to help with the house keeping and taking care of the family. Another problem for the education in India is the lack of appropriate school facilities. Some states do not have enough school rooms, others have many school rooms but with a low quality, lacking basic necessities such as toilets and water. The number of the women teachers is also very low and that is another barrier to girls’ education.

The Salvation Army has helped for the improving of the education in India by establishing schools and training programs in different sates. Many schools have also been computerized. In September 2003 in India Eastern Territory, an Educational Review Council was formed. It helped with the formulation of policies and an efficient
management system for the education ministry. Many schools across the whole territory educate a large number of children. The Mary Scott Home for the Blind in Kalimpong and the School for Deaf and Dumb Children in Darjeeling continue to provide education and care for their residents. Thanks to many sponsorships and
donations, children in the villages are getting good food, education and medical care.

Work with women is also established in many parts of the country. Such programs aim to help women find the way to stand on their feet and help their families financially. This also gives the women confidence and belief in their abilities. Different self-help groups are another way to help women with different programs.

(Sources: Wikipedia and the “The Salvation Army Year Book”2005)

Photos from India!