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1. ID 806 Introduction to Indian Culture 101
ID 806 Introduction to Indian Culture
101
Individual Activities 1
Assignment 1- Running Reflection Paper
Alipada Village, India
By: Degu Zewdu
November 13, 2022

2. • Date: 02/11/2022
• Topic: Salient Features of the Society
 On the date of 02/11/2022, we have discussed the salient features of Indian culture. The major
salient features of Indian culture are: - Purushartha classified (Dharm, Arth, Kaam, Moksh),
Punarjanmam , Karm and Karm-phal Devathas and Temples.
 Based on the previous discussion, five key understandings of the above topic:
1. Purushartha is a combination of two words. Which are Purusha and Artha. Purusha means
human being and Artha means aim or goal. Purushartha can be described as the aim/ goal of
human beings. Purushartha has four subdivisions-Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
1. Likewise, Punarjanm has two words: Punar- again and Janma-birth. Therefore, Punarjanam
is the word commonly used for 'Rebirth'. Most of the Hindus believe in the Punarjanam or in
the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

3. Cont…
3.The third concept here was Karm and Karm phal. Karma belongs to actions and
Karma means phala- results of the action.
 Every Karma is a bond to create its results. It is supposed to be that our karma
impacts every aspect of our life.
 The result of our Karma (actions) will be Karma phala (bear fruit) in this life or
the next life.
 Both good and bad actions will result in good or bad results. If one does good
Karma, he/she will receive good Karma phala sooner or later. If one does some
bad Karma, bad Karma phala will be received sooner or later.
 The current good/bad situation that we have is because of the previous
good/bad actions we did.

4. Cont…
4.The fourth point that comes from our past in discussion was devatas and
which indicates, that the manifestation of this supreme power.
5.The last key point we discussed was the temple, which is a place where
cultural festivities are organized.
 The villager’s cultural life is enriched by the village temple.
 Unfortunately, I am waiting for the email that can confirm my study village.
 I have been informed that I have been assigned to 3 villages in a cluster to
conduct the project, but the names of the villages were not mentioned
during my induction time.
 So I'm just trying to find out data on the Alipada village just for the sake of
this assignment.
 Thus, I am willing to share the information about this village that I got from
different articles and Google.

5. Alipada Village, Indian
 Alipada village is a medium sized village located in the Sadar Block of Puri
district.
 The total land area of Alipada is around 30 hectares (74.13 acres).
 This consists of a total household of around 68.
 The Alipada village has a population of 461, of which 234 are males while
227 are females as per Population Census 2011.
 Alipada village has a lower literacy rate compared to Orissa.
 In Alipada, male literacy stands at 71.57 % while female literacy rate was
60.59 %

6. Salient Features of the Society- Alipada village
 Multi-Religious Society. The cultural heritage of this district dates back to 3rd
century BC. People of different religions, sects and faith live here in complete
harmony. Many fairs and festivals are celebrated here with much gaiety.
 Multi- Caste and Tribes of Alipada village: The cast system is a unique feature
of the Alipada village community. It determines the role, status, occupation and
marital relationships of the ruralites. The caste system exercises such a decisive
influence on the villagers that it has rightly been described as the “alpha and
omega” of village life.
 Unity in Diversity: In Alipada, problems are usually managed in a cheerful,
cooperative and innovative manner, along with light-heartedness

7. Cont…
 Karma, Acceptance and Personal Choice: This attitude partly stems from
religious ideas such as ‘karma’ (the idea that one’s actions will affect your
current or future life) and ‘samsara’ (the cycle of rebirth).
 Temples: The architectural grandeur of this district is most prominently
visible in its temples.

8. • Date: 9/11/2022
• Topic: Nature and Indian Tradition
 Nature is scared, interconnectedness of creature, our needs must be under
control , development must respect and consider environment and get involved
before we go extinct.
 The Alipada community’s consider the Nature as 'the body of God'.
 Different birds and animals are associated with different Gods and Goddesses
and worshipped or the emphasis is on their protection and preservation.
 Finally Hindu religion provides a moral guideline for environmental preservation
and conservation.
 The flora and fauna of the district is extremely diverse. The outstanding features
of the flora of the village are the beautiful groves of coconut palms.
 Nature are traditionally managed and conserved by local communities as sacred
groves.

9. • They have immense knowledge of flora, fauna, and the seasonal
variations in the landscape such as a familiarity with the spatial
and temporal availability of species.