On August 15, 2017, India shall celebrate its 70th Independence Day. The seventh largest country in the world and the second-most populated country, India is a land of incredible diversity. Whether it is the soaring icy peaks of the northern mountains or the beaches on the southern coast, Indias topography is truly spectacular. <\/p>\n
On the special occasion of Indias Independence Day, we tell you about some of the most amazing facts about the country: <\/p>\n
1. India not only has the maximum number of post offices in the world but it also has a floating post office. The post office is located on the beautiful Dal Lake, Srinagar and was inaugurated in August 2011 by the then chief minister Omar Abdullah. <\/p>\n
The floating post office on a wooden boat at Dal Lake, Srinagar. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
2. The length of steel wires used to construct the Bandra-Worli Sealink, Mumbai, is equal to the earths circumference. It cost Rs 1,600 crore to build and its weight is equal to 50,000 African elephants. <\/p>\n
Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
3. As far as cricket goes, not only do we have Sachin Tendulkar, but also the worlds highest cricket ground in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. It is 2,144 m above sea level. <\/p>\n
Chail, Himachal Pradesh. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
4. Using data collected by Indias Chandrayaan mission which used its Moon Mineralogy Mapper, we discovered magmatic water on the Moon. <\/p>\n
5. Science Day in Switzerland is dedicated to the late Indian President, APJ Abdul Kalam. It is celebrated on May 26 every year since 2005. <\/p>\n
6. The human calculator is what Indian Shakuntla Devi was named after she calculated the product of two 13-digit numbers- 7,686,369,774,870 2,465,099,745,779. She gave the correct answer in 28 seconds. <\/p>\n
7. Major Dhyan Chand, the wizard of hockey, was offered German citizenship by Adolf Hitler after India defeated Germany 8-1 in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He was also offered a senior post in the German military and a place in the German national team. Dhyan Chand declined the offer. <\/p>\n
An Indian stamp showing Dhyan Chand. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
8. Previously known as Moksha Patamu, the game snakes and ladders originated in India. It was intended to teach children about the law of karma. <\/p>\n
Snake and Ladders boardgame. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
9. The worlds largest family is from India. Ziona Chana from Mizoram has 39 wives, 94 children, and 33 grandchildren- they all stay together in the same house! <\/p>\n
Ziona Chana and his family. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
10. The worlds highest motorable pass is Khardung La, in Ladakh, which is situated at a height of 5600 metres. <\/p>\n
Khardung La pass. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
Khardung La pass. (Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
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\nIndia @ 70: A floating post office, a human calculator and 8 other amazing facts - Hindustan Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"