eferred over daughters. The sons are also expected to work and take care of their parents.Most of Indias people live in villages. A typical Indian village is a collection of mud and straw homes. These homes are usually very small consisting of only one or two rooms with mud floors. Some wealthier families live in brick homes.Many villagers have few possessions. They only have what is necessary for everyday life. If the village is with out power, kerosene lamps are used. Local wells and ponds provide water for much of the village. Larger villages have the privilege of running water.The population of Indian cities has increased tremendously. Millions of people have moved into the city in search of jobs. The rapid population growth has strained the city for its resources. As a result many people live in slums or on the streets. In the slums, as many as ten people live in a one-room shack with only one restroom for the entire slum.Indians have traditionally been organized into castes or social groups. A persons caste determines his or her social status. There are four main groups in the caste system. They are the Brahmans, the priests and scholars, followed by the Kshatriyas, the rulers and warriors, Vaishyas, the merchants and professionals, and Shudras, the laborers and servants. There is also a group called the untouchables. These people usually hold the most undesirable jobs and live in the poorest conditions. It use to be that the caste rules were followed very strictly meaning that you only associated with people in your own class. You were not even allowed to eat food that was prepared by a member of a lower caste. Currently the system is more relaxed and the groups are allowed to interact with one another.Religion plays a major role in most Indian lives. Although there is not an official religion, more then 80% of the people practice Hinduism. The Hindus people believe in reincarnation, spiritual signs, and they...
