1. India is the largest democracy in the world, the 7th largest country in the world and one of the most ancient and living civilisations (at least 10, 000 years old).
2. India never invaded any country in her last 10,000 years of history.
3. Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian AND the first Asian to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.
4. India is home to the world’s largest under-25 population, putting young people at the helm of decision making.
5. India is home to world-renowned social reformers such as B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule and Ayyankali who fought against caste and gender-based violence and discrimination, paving the way for creating a just society.
6. The first female fighter pilot of India – Avani Chaturvedi – is just 24 years old. She has fought convention and created history, proving that young women in India are trailblazers and deserve every opportunity to succeed.
7. India gave its best ever Paralympics performance in 2016, with 4 medals. Devendra Jhajharia broke the World Record in Javelin throw.
8. We are home to over 200 different languages and dialects, all with their unique place in the fabric of Indian society.
9. Mangalyaan, India’s Mars Orbiter, was made possible at the cheapest cost worldwide – and it has celebrated over a 1000 Earth days in its orbit.
10. Sikkim has become India’s first 100% organic state – paving the way ahead of sustainable livelihoods.
11. The North East states in India are one of the world’s most beautiful and scenic regions: with the mighty river Brahmaputra, Majuli, the first island in the world to become a district, and rich biodiversity.
12. Twenty-one years after his demise and the fight against Britain for Indian Independence, Britain released a special stamp to commemorate and honour Mohandas Gandhi.
13. The classical dances of India serve a tradition spanning over 2,000 years and symbolise the diversity and culture of the nation.
14. The national flag of India is manufactured solely in Khadi and allocated to various groups in regional areas to create. It also promotes sustainable living and usage of local products.
15. The first All-India Hijra Conference was called in 1981. Around 50,000 members of the community travelled to Agra to attend it. Since then, the fight for trans rights has become stronger in India. (Fact taken from Shambhavi Saxena’s list on Youth Ki Awaaz.)
16. Calcutta held India’s first ever ‘Gay Pride Parade’ in 1999. Called the Calcutta Rainbow Pride, it had only 15 people marching, but still sent a big message to the country – we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re proud of it! (Fact taken from Shambhavi Saxena’s list on Youth Ki Awaaz.)
17. By launching 104 satellites in the orbit in a single mission, ISRO set a world record.
18. It was India’s Chandrayaan that first discovered water on the moon, in 2009.
19. The Indian army controls Siachen – which is the highest battlefield in the whole world.
20. The CEOs and leaders of top companies such as Google, Adobe and Mastercard are Indians.
21. Sachin Tendulkar was the first ever player to score a double century in ODI cricket.
22. India is a global leader in the production of spices. 70% of the world’s spices come from India.
23. In 2014, over 43,000 enthusiastic Indians gathered to form the world’s largest human flag. We also hold the Guinness record for the same.
24. In 1911 in Calcutta, the first version of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was sung in a convention of the INC, filling hearts with pride. Years later, it would go on to become our National Anthem.
25. India has some of the youngest entrepreneurs in the world who’ve gone on to establish self-made multi-million dollar businesses!
26. India produces the most number of engineers in the world and has one of the world’s largest military bases.
27. As a lover and advocate of peace, India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN Peacekeeping Missions.
28. India has given the world the game of chess, the zero, trigonometry, calculus and many more pathbreaking inventions and discoveries.
29. India is home to Mr Shyam Saran Negi – the 100-year-old who has voted in every single Indian General election!
30. India is one of the fastest emerging and leading economies of the decade.