most people hate India

wonderwomanusa

Depends on where you are.

At Ringo's (Scindia House around the corner from Janpath in the Connaught Place area -- just behind the Air India office) a single with shared bath was Rs250 a couple of years ago. A single with private bath was Rs300. Very small rooms, not much in the way of reading light, but clean and nice people. And not as crazy and chaotic as Pahargunj.

beach

"I hate India"
Well, who cares..

rangers

[( hidden poverty in the land of plenty(segragated neighbor hoods, bad and expensive medical services, more mental depression partly due to the social isolation,

One of the soulthing is... IN INDIA ~IT'S MORE OF WE, AND OUR, THAN ME AND MINE

hi5

My 2 paise on this -

I grew up in India - lived in Ranchi for 18 years, - studied in Kerala for 5, worked in Bombay for 4 (can't even bring myself to calling it by any other name) and pardon me for saying this IMers - I was dying for an oppertunity to get out...I have seen India as a resident, not a tourist...while I love my country, I have no regrets living in the US pounding on a keyboard day in and day out. I'm sorry if I upset somebody's apple cart by saying this, but I believe life is what you make out of it. Yes it is commercialized here, everyone is for himself/herself...but that is something I missed terribly in India. Everything had to be preapproved by family/culture. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I say that there will be a bunch of people who feel the same way in India.

I have been a lurker on this board for months now and I am glad for the love that is being shown to India - no doubt my country is beautiful - the beaches of Goa and Kerala are the stuff of dreams...heck, once I missed it so bad that I jumped into the next best thing off Gorai Beach (Bombay)

I will have to agree with some of the posters here - India is good and bad, beautiful and ugly, its many things to many people. You all make a choice to love India....I have a home there - I hope yours enthusiasms will rub on me too (?).

lotus blossom

Hello Hi5. thanks for your honest comment. I've quoted your issue about family, since this is my biggest beef about your country. it is what i most love and also most loathe about india. many of us who live in america are lonely for the extended family that is common to many parts of the world, including, of course, india. but from the amount of family control that i have personally seen in the majority of indian families, it seems that there is a high price to pay for this tight knit-ness.

Thankfully, i did meet some familes when i was in india last time that are allowing their children to make their own choices with life mates, etc. It was so beautifully refreshing and i really felt like we could share common ground with each other.

I say, good for you for making the choice to break free and do what your heart is asking of you. i know indians who have still not been able to do this, despite how much they are yearning to and suffering as a result of staying stuck in duty. it will never change if ya'll don't change it.

__________________
Not all who wander are lost

hi5

UR so right lotus blossom, but to put things into a bit of prespective, for the most part, the social mores are "supposedly" there to watch out for the interests of the person/society/religion (and it works for most parts, no doubt). But there comes a point where mores become nothing but a control mechanism, to reign you in. And I am not talking about marriage at all - which is a whole another enchilada in itself. Even in simple things like - when you are in High School, its everyone else who makes the decision on what course of study you are to follow in college. "Independent thinking" is a BAD word there.

I can assure you that I would not be allowed to persue the course of action I am involved in right now if I were back home - and I am happy here, even if it means I am "islolated". I know what I am doing is right, and my loved ones recognize it as such but will never say so. (perhaps it will distroy the Republic??)

But the hills of my land - they call me back!!! The flatlands of Texas appears free in all directions, but somewhere deep inside I long for that rocky boundry, and the thrill of looking down from a cliff. That simple farmer in his small plot of land toiling away...the overcast sky - so dark and ominus, the smell of sulphur in the air as a lightning stikes nearby...

LavieQ

Well, RE, just like India, I s'pose Boston has it's pluses and minuses. I lived there for more than 15 years and loved it. I agree that traffic there sucks, but, one can get used to it. I s'pose Boston is not a fair comparison to India, but, where there's an abiding interest, there's a way to overcome the "bad" parts and enjoy the "good" side of Boston/India/Wherever.

What surprised me about the guy I mentioned was that, at the time it all happened, he had been to Boston ONCE in his entire life!! And all this even prior to the "big dig." I mean, there's so much to see/do/enjoy in Boston for the price of getting in. Yes?

So, ultimately, the question is: "What is the motivation to go to [insert your choice of place]?" If that motivation is deep and true (whatever flavor it may be), one will adapt; otherwise, there'll be loud bitchin' & monanin'.

LavieQ

Hi5,

Couldn't have said it better - exactly my experience and sentiments. I was also tired of the heavy handed, hierarchical system by which businesses were run. I'm sure much of it is changed/changing, at least in some areas of the economy.

As LB mentioned, the extended family has it's "dark" side that people don't understand when looking wistfully at the extended family system and it's demise everywhere. But, there is a reason why nuclear family have displaced the extended family. With the rise of the professional class, it makes less sense to stay put in an extended family, which is better suited for an agrarian, land-holding socio-economic system.

On the other hand, when you look at the enthusiasm for India on this board, it makes me wonder if this is simply a "grass is greener on the other side" situation that we are all susceptible to, particularly in our youth. And then there's a sense of adventure and excitement that is exhilarating.

rangss

I don't mind this country...I think I will get along....

__________________
...and I took the road less travelled.

Gargi

I agree. I stayed there 2 years ago at a cool small hotel called Rigon House. Nice neighborhood, not as chaotic as some other parts of Delhi. Delicious food at Tibetan restaurants. I'm not sure about Metro access, but taxi fare was very cheap. I would definitely stay there again.

lotus blossom

the tibetan colony is definately my home when i'm in india. the wongdhen house.