Timor-Leste !

                       

Was reading  this article in vikatan diwali malar last week and thought this is worth a post. Its about a twenty first century country named 'Timor-Leste'. Thanks to the gruelling routine people undergo these days and their drastically reducing reading habbits, most of them hardly notice or even aware of such minor novelties that have happened in our globe. 

A bit of history, before going on to some niceties about timor-leste.

• Separated or rather obtained freedom from the portugese in 1975. But in the same year, its neighbour indonesia invaded it added the minnows as their 27th state.

• Thanks to the persevering guerilla warfare by the local force, right from 1975 ,spanning a mammoth 25 years, the whole of timor portrayed a battle ground in this period.

• On August 30, 1999, a poll was conducted (known as the Referendum, then), supervised by the UN as to who the ruler of timor should be. As a result of a overwhelming response (79%) from the people, raising their voices for a independent nation, the country timor-liste came into existence.

• It was only after a steely resolve for independence, timor was able to free itself from the gory clutches of indonesia and peace was restored

                                          

                                              Flag of East Timor                                                                                 

Now lets get some interesting tit-bits about Timor and the Timorians as well:

• "Timor" - comes from timur, which means "east" in Indonesian and Mala. Its capital is 'Deli'

• It was the plethora of sandalwood trees and oil reserves that attracted the portugese and a lota other countries towards timur in the 16th century. This isnt the case any more now. Its a poverty struck nation with unemployment levels soaring. 

• One of the primary occupation is collection of coconut oils from surrounding villages and selling them in the cities like dili. East timor has a lot of coffee estates. Besides selling them in open market, they also export them. Another significant occupation is fishing.

• Vernacluar : Bondia  - "Good morning"  and Bodarthe - "Good Evening" (Just in case u happen to visit Timor :))

• Initially Timorians did not indulge in idol worship. After the migration of indians to timur, idol worship has obtained its importance, with the key ones being Krishna and shiva. One another cool info. The proprietor of a hindu temple in timor is - JOHN :)..(sorry, couldn't resist writing this one ..hehe.:))

• The state of ligyaga has a big beach and its the place where the historical  underground prison, built by the portugese, resides.

• No age limitations for marriage, it seems.Pregnancy in school days is a pretty common sight. Now another interesting fact. Men pay dowry here, before marriage :).(Hmm...why shud boys have all the fun ?) 

• Predominant Races:  Catholic Christians, Muslims and Hindus

For more info , check out -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timor