IntlMOVE – Moving to India

IntlMOVE can help ship your household goods to India when you decide to take that step and move overseas.
Whether you are returning home or moving to India for the first time, IntlMOVE has the knowledge and experience to move your personal belongings in a safe, fast and cost efficient manner. 

With a population of approximately 1.17 billion people, India has the second largest population with China holding the number one position.
More than 70 percent of the people in India live in rural areas.
This vast nation is the world’s largest democracy and home to diverse climates, people and cultural norms.

The largest employer in India is Indian Railways.
This country also boasts the most post offices in the world. 

There are 18 major languages spoken in India with Hindi being the national language spoken by 50 percent of the population.
English is the second most popular language and is even the first language of many people living in big cities. 

India Geography
The total area is about 1.2 million square miles, so you can imagine the wide range of climates and landscape you will find in India.
Whether you want beaches, mountains, deserts or forests, you will find what you are looking for in this beautiful country. 

India Food
Vegetarianism is widely practiced in India because of religious and cultural beliefs.
You will not commonly be able to find beef in India because the cow is seen as sacred by Hindus.
Although Indian cuisine varies by region, you will find that most Indian dishes use fresh ingredients and spices – such as curry.
In southern India, rice is a mealtime staple.
You will find dishes made with coconuts, coconut oil, fish and aromatic spices.
Curry leaves are used to flavor many southern Indian dishes, which are typically more vegetarian-friendly than northern Indian dishes.
In northern India, you will find a lot of meals that have dairy bases or ingredients such as cottage cheese, yogurt and ghee.
Chilies, saffron and nuts are often used to flavor these delicious meals.
Whole wheat flour is used to make naan, roti and other flatbreads which often accompany a typical northern Indian meal.

When eating, you will often sit on the floor or low stools.
Utensils are not always used, so you eat with your right hand.
It is very important not to use your left hand, because in India’s culture your left hand is only used for bodily hygiene. 
Keep this in mind when you are eating from communal bowls, because people dining with you will be offended. 

Family Life
Families are considered very important in India.
Although Western influences are changing social norms, arranged marriages within social castes are still widely practiced.
In a traditional Indian family, a man, his wife and children, the man’s parents and unmarried sisters live in a household.
Sons can be expected to earn money to support his wife and children and his parents in their old age. 

India History and Culture
India is home to many inventors.
Although the game of chess has evolved over the centuries, the game originated in this culturally-rich country.
Algebra, trigonometry, calculus and the decimal system all have roots dating back to ancient India.
Even everyday items that we take for granted, like buttons, can be linked to this Asian country.
Ayurveda, which is the world’s oldest form of medicine, dates back 5,000 years.
The written form of the healing practices is over 2,500 years old.
Sushruta was an ancient surgeon who conducted cataract and complicated plastic surgeries over 2,600 years ago.
He was a pioneer who developed many techniques that are still used today.
Yoga, which is over 5,000 years old, also had its beginnings in India. 

The country has over two thousand ethnic groups and a diverse religious history.
All of the major religions are represented in India and the country has strong connections to many of the world’s most practiced religions.
About 81 percent of India’s people are Hindu and it is also the home to one of the largest Muslim populations.
In fact there are over 300,000 active mosques in India.
Buddhism was founded in northern India over 2,500 years ago and is followed by over 350 million people worldwide.
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, runs his government in northern India. 

Entertainment is a huge part of India’s culture.
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the largest city in India is and is home to Bollywood.
Hindi Cinema is often referred to as Bollywood, which is one of the largest centers of film production in the world.
The ancient traditions of India are represented in many facets of the culture, so exploring all the sights and wonders of India will be a never-ending adventure.

Let IntlMOVE take care of the details of shipping your household goods and personal effects to India, so you can prepare for your new life.