India

India, the “largest democracy in the world” has fascinated and attracted millions of travellers since ancient times. Home to many cultures and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with great commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.

Four major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism) originated in what is now India, which was divided in kingdoms from the time of the Persians and Alexander the Great to the Mughals and the arrival of the British. Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early 18th century and colonised by the United Kingdom from the mid-19th century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread non-violent resistance and conflicts with neighbouring countries.

India is now a republic consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies, the fourth largest in purchasing power. However, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and malnutrition. A pluralistic, multilingual, and multi-ethnic society, India is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.

Those who travel with Travel2help.org are placed as a volunteer in one of 4 different locations in India: Jaipur, the “Pink City” of India; Rajasthan, the territory dominated by deserts and the many forts in them; Himachal, at the Western edge of the Himalayas; and Goa, the former Portuguese colony. Each area offers a different experience, a unique variety of cultures, customs and environments that can only be found in India.

More information:
Wikipedia
United Nations
NationMaster