Images of India

Tata Motors launched its people's car, Nano, promising to stick to the Rs.100,000 (US$2000) price tag making it the world's cheapest car. There are three versions. The higher-end models will have air-conditioning, power brakes and windows. The compact is 3.1 metres long, 1.6 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. The wonder car will give an additional 14 million Indian families access to an affordable vehicle. According to market research, Nano's price reduces the cost of ownership of an entry-level car by 30 per cent and to below three times the cost of owning a motorcycle. There are currently 58 million two-wheeler owners in the country. Report dated 25 Mar, 2009

A farmer laments the dried-up bed of water on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The world is facing rapid and unprecedented global changes, including population growth, migration, urbanisation, climate change, desertification, drought, degradation and land use, economic and diet changes. World Water Day was observed on March 22. Report dated 23 Mar, 2009

The world's largest democracy will elect a new 543 seat Parliament when India goes to the polls (April 16 - May 13). There are 714 million eligible voters in the country. The Election Commission has set strict dos and don'ts for campaigning. The use of plastics in campaign material has been curbed for environmental reasons. So unlike the usual spectrum of blow-ups of politicians, banners with catchphrases and miles of fluttering flags, campaigning during these elections will hugely rely on printed leaflets and fliers. Report dated 19 Mar, 2009

Thousands throng Kerala's Guruvayur Temple to watch the annual elephant race. Ten elephants are selected for the race which heralds the beginning of a ten-day festival in the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The race begins from a revered banyan tree. The winning elephant has the privilege of carrying the idol for all the important rituals during the ten days. The temple has some 65 elephants that take part in different festivals throughout the year and are housed in a nearby park. According to temple lore, a feudal lord refused to send tuskers to participate in the annual festival as he had not received payment. That night the elephants broke their chains and rushed to the Guruvayur Temple. The annual elephant race commemorates that event. Report dated 18 Mar, 2009

On 15 March 1959, seven semi-literate women gathered on the terrace of an old building in a crowded Mumbai locality and rolled out four packets of papads to sell. The "seven sisters", as they are fondly remembered, started production with the princely sum of borrowed 80 rupees (now $1.50). Soon the entrepreneurship expanded in Mumbai's overcrowded and poverty-stricken shanty towns and had 25 women. Word spread about the quality and taste of the papads. The trade began to expand as a co-operative. In a few years they had branches all over Mumbai and in subsequent years all across India. Today, the annual turnover is $100m. Most of the 45,000-strong female workforce live in slums or one-room hutments, with communal bathrooms and toilets. Lijjat papads are a perfect example of how a sustainable business can be built, when skills are given an organisational structure on a co-operative basis. Report dated 17 Mar, 2009

The world's largest democracy will elect a new 543 seat Parliament when India goes to the polls (April 16 - May 13). The Election Commission has set strict dos and don'ts for campaigning. The use of plastics in campaign material has been curbed for environmental reasons. So unlike the usual spectrum of blow-ups of politicians, banners with catchphrases and miles of fluttering flags, campaigning during these elections will hugely rely on printed leaflets and fliers. Report dated 16 Mar, 2009

The Indian film industry makes more than 1,000 films and attracts three billion movie-goers annually. It is currently worth some $2.1 billion a year and is estimated to grow to about 3.4 billion dollars by 2013. A report by the US-India Business Council and Ernst and Young says that India's film industry lost nearly 572,000 jobs and $959 million to piracy in 2008. Bollywood movies premier in cinemas on Fridays but pirated copies are often available on the same day - or even before the films open - for as little as Rs.20 (US$ 0.40) Report dated 15 Mar, 2009

An Indian soldier being greeted by his Pakistani counterpart on the occasion of Holi (Mar 11) at the Attari-Wagah international border. The spring festival of Holi extends to three days and involves lighting a bonfire and dancing around it to the beats of drums as participants throw colours at each other amid religious rituals. Report dated 13 Mar, 2009

Holi, the Festival of Colours celebrates the arrival of spring. Celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (Mar 10). It is also the harvest festival. The winter crop of Rabi and Wheat is ready for harvesting. The farmers offer their first crop to Agnidev - the God of Fire - who for centuries has been looked upon with esteem by the Aryans. Only after this offering, do the farmers use or sell the grain. All over the country, but especially in North India, Holi is celebrated by splashing colour powder or colour water on each other and drinking 'bhang' in milk or 'bhang' pedas. 'Bhang' is a herbal intoxicant. Report dated 09 Mar, 2009