We saw a lot in 10 weeks in India yet only scratched the surface. It’s a straightforward place for independent travellers to move around (English is widely spoken), though not always comfortable. The weather can be challenging, the local transport rough and ready, and the streets in many places dirty and littered. But these were minor obstacles on the path to a great time. Indian people are friendly (though too many employed in the tourist industry are ready to blatantly short-change foreigners at the first opportunity), the local food is good, and the variety of sights and experiences is huge. But India obviously faces big challenges in modernizing and lifting millions out of poverty.
Having travelled extensively in China, it surprised us to see how far behind India is in its development. In basic infrastructure such as electric power generation, roads, housing and public transport, China is decades ahead. Why should this be? India has been a relatively stable, independent democracy for over 60 years. The comparison with China provokes uncomfortable thoughts and questions about what form of government is most effective for a financially poor country yet to achieve universal education of its people, during its development phase. In a recent local newspaper article, an Indian journalist referred to “India’s argumentative billion” in analysing why it’s often difficult to achieve unanimity of resolve and action in addressing big nation-building issues. Democracy is wonderful in giving everyone their say, but after all the talk is over, often leaves the tough decisions unmade, and the necessary tough action not taken. Did I just say that? Where’s the soap? But it must be acknowledged that no system is perfect. I certainly don’t envy the people who choose to enter political life in India – they face enormous challenges and complexity in working to improve the lives of the people.
The cows have to go, sadly. Having lived on a dairy farm as a boy, I find something endearing about India’s attitude towards cows. There’s something noble in viewing such large animals on a higher plane than as merely a food source, and allowing them to wander down your street and nuzzle up against the front door of your house, and even go inside the waiting hall of the train station if that is their want. But the public health issues override all these sentiments. Large piles of fly-breeding animal manure caked onto the streets and animal to human transmission of disease are simply inconsistent with modern, healthy living conditions. Cows belong on grass, not bitumen. It was sad to see such revered animals foraging through village and city garbage piles, inevitably ingesting plastic waste that must cause distress and worse later. Of course, with cows so closely associated with religious belief, any change to the status quo won’t be straightforward. By comparison, putting a huge dent in the world’s largest population of stray dogs should be a simpler exercise.
Of course these are just the superficial musings of a first-time short-term visitor to India. It’s certainly a country that makes you sit up and think. No doubt there are more pressing long-term priorities not immediately in the face of the visitor, like education and employment, housing, securing the government revenues needed to fund services, and national security. When you do stop to think about it, you realize what a massive job India’s government has on its plate, and how everything seen in India needs to be considered with that in mind. Maybe the cows and stray dogs can stay on for a bit longer yet.
Incredible India. It’s certainly that, in many ways. If you’re planning or thinking of a visit to India, here are three useful websites:
- Lonely Planet India Forum Good for general info and getting fast, up to date answers to your questions.
- AirAsia An excellent low-cost airline that flies all over Asia, with connections to Europe, Australia and multiple destinations in India.
- Cleartrip A reliable, professional Indian website for online booking of train tickets, hotels and internal flights. We booked all our India train tickets on Cleartrip – their service was flawless. And very convenient too - just print out the ticket from your computer and turn up at the station - no need to stand in long queues at the station ticket office. But book well ahead if you can; Indian trains often sell out weeks in advance.
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