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Why the Nobel Peace Prize Wasn’t Awarded in 1948 and 11 Lesser Known Facts About India

Here's a list of facts about India that may make you go: "Wow! Didn't know that!"

Why the Nobel Peace Prize Wasn’t Awarded in 1948 and 11 Lesser Known Facts About India

Here’s a list of facts about India that may make you go: “Wow! Didn’t know that!”

Indian history, mythology, culture, geography – are you an expert? Here are some lesser know facts about the country that may blow even the most knowledgeable minds away.

1. India and Bangladesh are connected in more ways than you think. Look at this map!

india b

Source: Wikipedia

There is a third enclave border which leads to a certain part of India being in Bangladesh, which is also a part of India, which is a part of Bangladesh.  Mind-boggling, isn’t it?

2. As per records released by The Guinness Book Of World Records, India is third in terms of number of records claimed every year in the world. The first two are USA and UK.

800px-Vinay_bhanawat_786_Indian_Currency_Note_collection_world_records_India

Source: Paavans / Wikipedia

For instance, one of the most interesting records belongs to Udaipur resident Vinay Bhanawat from Udaipur for having the most number of currency notes ending with 786.

3. The residents of some Indian villages rely solely on Sanskrit to communicate with each other.

Sanskrit

Source: Kevin Lawver / Flickr

These include the villages of Mathur in Karnataka, Jhiri in Madhya Pradesh and Khada in Rajasthan.

4. India was exceptional when it came to hockey in the 1920s. The British were forced to withdraw from the Olympics in 1920 to avoid a probable defeat by their colony.

Indian_hockey_team_1928_Olympics_match

Source: Wikipedia

In the 1928 Olympics, India managed to secure an impressive number of goals (102), conceding only 3.

5.  This is interesting trivia for the ladies – our cholis and pallus got their names from Tamil dynasties.

309px-Styles_of_Sari

Source: Wikipedia

The dynasties in question are Cholas and Pallavas respectively. Who knew?

6. The biggest family in the world is from – you guessed it, India.

ziona chana

Source: YouTube

Ziona Chana from Mizoram has 39 wives, 94 children, and 33 grandchildren, who live together as one big happy family in the same house!

7. India has one of the largest postal networks on the globe and what’s more, there’s a floating post office too!

post

Source: Mullookkaaran / Wikipedia

Srinagar’s Dal lake has a floating post office, which was opened in 2011. Tempted to go there yet? India also has the highest post office in the world, located in Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh, at a height of 15,500 ft.

8.  Here’s another reason to be in awe of A.P.J Abdul Kalam.

terrorism

Source: Yahoo

When he was the President of India, he actually posted a question on terrorism on Yahoo answers, trying to figure out what people think about possible solutions to the widespread issue! What’s more, he got answers from the likes of  Dr. Kiran Bedi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Leander Paes.

9.  Dr. Shrikant Jichkar was the most qualified person in the country ever.

shrikant

Source: Facebook

From having been an IAS, IPS, lawyer, doctor, photographer, radio operator to securing the highest degree in a university for Sanskrit and being an MLA at 25, he had an astonishing range of qualifications. He passed away in 2004.

10.  Samosas, the much-loved Indian snack, are banned in Somalia.

samosa

Source: Sharyn Morrow / Flickr

Somalians believe that the shape of the samosa looks like the Christian Holy Trinity.

11. The Nobel Peace Prize was withdrawn in 1948. It was supposed to go to Mahatma Gandhi but his assassination resulted in the title being left unassigned as a tribute to the leader.

gandhi M

Source: Trent / Flickr

12. Spiderman had its own desi version in 2004.

3372555055_77d0e6be25_b

Source: Sebastian Galiano

Peter Parker was christened Pavitr Prabhakar, Mary Jane was Meera Jain, Aunt May was Auntie Maya and finally, Uncle Ben was Uncle Bhim. Amazed yet?

Featured Image Source: Flickr – 1 & 2

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).

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