After seven years of working in the Russian office of Home Credit Bank, I was invited to the Philippines for two years, and from there I moved to the Indian branch - and stayed there for almost a year and a half. I chose India as a professional challenge: the opportunity to take part in the development of a bank in a country where about 1.3 billion people live does not come every day.
When I first came to India for “reconnaissance”, it seemed to me that it had a lot in common with the Philippines. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that they are in the same part of the world. Otherwise there is little similar. People, culture, market, business practices - everything had to be studied anew.
India is so interesting and strange that it seems as if you are in several eras at once. Here wild tribes who kill foreigners who come to them. Are there cities with metro, modern shopping centers and City. There are people who are far below the poverty line and live on the streets. At the same time, there are super rich people. According to Wealth X research, in 2017, India fourth place in the world in terms of the number of dollar billionaires - after the USA, China and Germany. According to this indicator, it has overtaken, for example, Switzerland, Russia and the UK.
View from the balcony of a guest house in Udaipur
The ancient city of Varanasi. India is an amazing country to travel
Residents of Varanasi
In the center of Old Delhi
Locals in the center of Old Delhi
This gigantic stratification between rich and poor is also reflected in Indian life. It can be said that in overall quality of things that are produced for the mass consumer are lower in India than in Russia. But at the same time, you can buy goods of higher quality if you agree to pay more.
Housing
I live and work in Gurgaon, a satellite city next to the capital of India, New Delhi - almost like Balashikha or Korolev for Moscow, only larger (about 800,000 people live there). Gurgaon is considered a major industrial and financial center. Many head offices are located here international companies, for example, from the field of consulting or IT. Therefore, the quality of life in Gurgaon is not only for expats, but also for local residents- noticeably different in better side from living somewhere in Coimbatore or Allahabad.
Flat rent
Many Indians live for several generations under one roof: grandmother, parents, son - perhaps with his wife. For this reason, they often own or rent large apartments with several bedrooms. The cost of rent can vary tenfold depending on the prestige of the house and the area.
So, an apartment (or townhouse) with an area of about 120 sq. m without furniture and in a regular area of Gurgaon can be rented for 30 thousand rupees (27,600 rubles) per month. But in a guarded residential complex with a park on the territory, renting a four-room apartment (living room and three bedrooms) will start from 120 thousand rupees (110,400 rubles). To this amount you will need to add the cost of maintaining the territory, including home repairs - about 30 thousand rupees (27,600 rubles) per quarter. You will also have to pay 20– 30 thousand rupees (18,400– 27,600 ₽) per year for access to services on the territory of the complex: swimming pool, Gym, cafe, parking. If the apartment is rented without furniture and equipment, all this can be rented (approximately 30 thousand rupees per month, or 27,600 rubles).
Public utilities
The weather in Delhi changes quite dramatically from season to season: in the middle of winter at night the temperature can drop to 6– 8 degrees Celsius, and in summer time during the day - reach 48 degrees. In the summer, everyone uses air conditioning and greatly overpays for electricity: up to 10 thousand rupees (9200 rubles) per month. There is no central heating in India, so in winter some people turn on radiators - with them you have to pay about 5 thousand rupees (4600 rubles) per month for electricity. The rest of the year, bills are approximately 3 thousand rupees (2,760 rubles) per month.
Gurgaon, a golf course and a view of a residential high-rise for rich Indians and expats. Smog
Golf course in smog haze
In Moscow
My rented apartment in Gurgaon is located 15– 20 minutes drive from Cyber City - this is a corporate business park, something like Moscow City. This roughly corresponds to the Dorogomilovsky district of Moscow (near the Park Pobedy metro station).
Rent a three-room apartment in this area, according to Domofond.ru, costs an average of 105 thousand rubles per month. A four-room apartment in an elite residential complex"Sparrow Hills" , for example, for 175 thousand ₽. Average cost of utilities for a similar apartment, according to Numbeo, is 8300 ₽.
Directions
Public transport
Gurgaon has a fairly comfortable metro system. You can get to the center of Delhi on it in 40– 45 minutes. One trip on the metro costs 65 rupees (60 RUR), but if you buy a pass, you can save 10%. It turns out that 60 trips per month will cost 3,240 rupees (2,981 rubles).
Also in Delhi and in neighboring cities you can travel by shuttle - a bus that travels non-stop to the final station. A package of 30 bus trips costs 2,370 rupees (2,180 rubles). You can pay for travel and top up your account through the mobile application.
Taxi
There are two main taxi providers in India - Uber and Ola. They are cheaper than in Moscow, but also of lower quality in terms of cars, cleanliness, driver skills and knowledge. Traffic in India is chaotic, with drivers constantly changing directions, driving in the middle of the road and honking at each other. It will be extremely difficult to communicate with a taxi driver if you don’t know Hindi. Although, to be fair, in Russia taxi drivers hardly speak English better.
A taxi ride from Gurgaon to Delhi center will cost 400– 500 rupees (368 – 460 ₽), depending on traffic jams. During rush hour, a 30 km journey takes 1.5– 2 hours. For those who often travel by taxi, Uber offers a profitable service: you can buy a package for a month for 250 rupees (230 rubles), and then any trip will cost 39 rupees (35 rubles).
Taxi in Kolkata
In the center of Old Delhi
Five traffic controllers at one traffic light teach motorists to stop at red, Cyber City, Gurgaon
In the center of Old Delhi
Also popular in India are tuk-tuks, or three-wheeled auto-rickshaws. It is curious that tuk-tuk drivers accept payments not only in cash, but also by transfer to a mobile wallet. Imagine: an Indian landscape, a cow is walking along the road and chewing plastic, a tuk-tuk is driving nearby - and then the driver takes out a smartphone, opens the application (it’s called Paytm), scans the QR code and accepts payment for the trip. Amazing!
In Moscow
Card for one trip on the Moscow metro and on ground transport costs 55 ₽. It is more profitable to pay for travel using the Troika card; each trip with it will cost 38 ₽. For those who often travel by metro or buses, the most profitable option is to sign up for a package of 60 trips with Troika for 1,900 rubles.
Popular taxi services in Moscow include aggregator applications Uber, Gett and Yandex.Taxi. A trip, for example, from Tsaritsyno Park to VDNKh (distance about 30 km) will cost 700 ₽. A taxi from the center of Balashikha near Moscow to the Moscow Kremlin will cost about the same. Taxi trips within Moscow for medium distances cost an average of 300– 500 ₽.
Food
Products
Most Indians are vegetarians; they eat neither meat nor eggs (although Lately the trend is changing). In the state of Haryana, where Gurgaon is located, eating beef is generally prohibited by law. In exchange, it is proposed to eat buffalo meat; it can be bought for 400 rupees (368 rubles) per kg.
The main emphasis on store shelves is on vegetables and all kinds of seasonings. Fruits are sold all year round - bananas, watermelons, pineapples. January is strawberry season, summer is mango and lychee season.
My girlfriend and I usually buy food in supermarkets. There are both local (Le Marche) and international brands, such as Spar. You can order food online from Amazon.in, they not only deliver packaged food items but also fresh vegetables and fruits. You can create a basket that will “come” to you regularly.
In total, it takes us about 15 to buy groceries.– 20 thousand rupees (13,800– 18,400 ₽) per person per month. To compare food prices in Gurgaon and Moscow, I have compiled a table. For Gurgaon these are average prices, but for a visitor they may be higher than for a local. It's a matter of choosing the quality of the products, knowing the places and the ability to bargain.
|
Product |
Gurgaon |
Moscow |
|
Milk, 1 l |
47 rupees (43 ₽) |
67 RUR |
|
White bread, 500 g |
30 rupees (28 ₽) |
40 ₽ |
|
White rice, 1 kg |
71 rupees (65 ₽) |
70 ₽ |
|
Eggs, 12 pcs. |
77 rupees (71 ₽) |
82 RUR |
|
Local cheese, 1 kg |
307 rupees (282 ₽) |
553 RUR |
|
Chicken breasts, 1 kg |
287 rupees (264 ₽) |
275 RUR |
|
Apples, 1 kg |
154 rupees (142 ₽) |
91 RUR |
|
Bananas, 1 kg |
57 rupees (52 ₽) |
61 RUR |
|
Potatoes, 1 kg |
23 rupees (21 ₽) |
37 RUR |
|
Tomatoes, 1 kg |
38 rupees (35 ₽) |
139 RUR |
|
Water, 1.5 l |
28 rupees (26 ₽) |
45 ₽ |
|
TOTAL: |
1119 rupees (1030 ₽) |
1460 ₽ |
Source: Numbeo.com Prices are rounded to the nearest ruble.
Cafes and restaurants
There are many expats in Gurgaon, so there is a large selection of not only local but also European cuisine. In addition to Indian, Italian and Asian restaurants are especially common. True, they also have a local flavor: for example, Italian pizza is reminiscent of Indian wheat cakes naan, and pasta or noodles are most often drowned in sauce- similar to curry.
Indians themselves adore their national cuisine with tandoori, curry, and rice. And bread cakes - they are made from different flours, with water, with or without yeast. At the same time, products cooked in a closed oven, tandoori, are always considered a snack. And curry (pieces of meat, vegetables or cheese in a large amount of sauce) is the main dish. One of the most popular Indian dishes among expats is butter chicken, chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. I also love palak paneer - unleavened cheese in a thick green sauce made from spinach leaves. In southern India, the cuisine is slightly different, there is more seafood, and coconut milk is often added to curries.
Flower market in Varanasi
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Pan merchant (pan is tobacco with spices that is placed under the lip)
Vegetable market in Old Delhi
Food prices can vary greatly. You can buy lunch on the street - eat a dosa (a flour pancake from South India) and drink lassi (a spicy yogurt drink) - for 50 rupees (46 RUR). Can you have lunch at good restaurant with wine for 5 thousand rupees (4600 rubles), and the bulk of the cost will be alcohol, on which there is a very high tax in the state of Haryana (15%).
In business centers of Gurgaon, the average cost of lunch is 500– 700 rupees (460 – 644 ₽) per serving. By local standards it is quite expensive. But the final cost of lunch will be even higher: you need to take into account the amount of taxes of 5%, which is not indicated in the price list, and about 10% of the service charge - it is included in the bill automatically, but you can negotiate.
There is a stereotype that in India you need to be very careful when trying food from public catering, otherwise there is a risk of poisoning. My family and I have never encountered this - probably because we avoid “suspicious” places and choose only proven street food. It is also possible that some tourists confuse poisoning with the body’s adaptation to an unfamiliar climate, water and food.
In Moscow
You can taste Indian dishes in several establishments Russian capital. For example, in the vegetarian cafe “Jagannath” you can eat palak paneer for 120 ₽, in the Indian restaurant “Khadjurao” - butter chicken for 790 ₽, and in “Darbas” you can drink lassi for 300 ₽.
Business lunches in Moscow City cost an average of 300– 450 ₽.
Internet and mobile communications
Until recently, India had three major mobile operators - Vodafone, Airtel and Idea. In 2016, the richest Indian billionaire another network - Jio. And this served as a tangible impetus for the development of the mobile communications market in India. Jio came with very low tariffs and the fastest mobile internet in the country and allowed many users to go online for the first time. Yes, they launched tariff plan with a smartphone included, which can be rented for a small fee.
This forced other operators to significantly reduce tariffs. So now mobile communications in India are very cheap. For example, a tariff plan for 28 days with unlimited calls and 1 GB of Internet per day will cost 169 rupees (156 RUR). A package for 82 days with 2 GB of Internet per day will cost 499 rupees (459 rubles).
Home internet in Gurgaon is also cheap and relatively stable. My tariff includes approximately 50 GB of Internet per month, with the remainder carried over to the next term - and in 1 year and 2 months I have accumulated a whole terabyte of unused Internet, although I often watch online TV in HD format. Such internet costs me 1,300 rupees (1,196 rubles) per month.
In Moscow
In Moscow, a similar story happened with mobile communications - when the Tele-2 operator entered the market. The cheapest package with conditions similar to Indian ones (30 GB of Internet, unlimited calls within the network and 800 minutes outside of it) costs 700 ₽ per month. Home Internet from most providers is completely unlimited, and its price is on average 500 ₽ per month.
Entertainment
Gurgaon is located next to Delhi, where there are many famous attractions - the 12th century brick minaret Qutub Minar, the tomb of the Mongol padishah Humayun, the historical citadel of Red Fort. For foreign tourists, visiting each of them will cost approximately 500 rupees (460 rubles), but for locals it will cost only 20 rupees (18 rubles). The discount also applies to those who work in India and pay taxes here.
Monkey temple in Jaipur
Evening performance in Udaipur. This woman is dancing on broken glass
Taj Mahal and surrounding area
Indian cinema is known far beyond the country's borders, and it's easy to guess that locals love going to the movies. There is an IMAX cinema in Gurgaon where they show Hollywood blockbusters in English with subtitles - a ticket for such a session will cost about 500 rupees (460 rubles). But in general, Indians are unlikely to be very interested in American films. Cinemas in small towns or villages show only local films, and a ticket there can be bought for 30 rupees (28 rubles).
In Moscow
Visiting the capital's popular attractions is not a cheap pleasure. Ticket to architectural ensemble The Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin costs 500 ₽, for entry to the Armory Chamber you will have to pay another 700 ₽. Admission ticket to St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square will cost 500 ₽. There are no discounts for local residents, but there are benefits for schoolchildren, students and pensioners. IMAX movie tickets will cost 400– 600 ₽, depending on the location of the cinema and show time.
Money
Indians are born negotiators; they love to bargain. They are very reluctant to make concessions if they see the needs of another, and vice versa, they are ready to offer profitable terms, if necessary, is on their side.
Recently I was selling my things online. And absolutely all potential buyers demanded huge discounts for the fact that the items had already been used - despite the fact that they were all almost new! Let's say, for my advertisement of a price of 17 thousand rupees (15,640 rubles), I received bids of 3 thousand rupees (2,760 rubles). Of course, there were more adequate proposals. But all discussions had to be conducted for a very long time, without rushing.
Payments and Banking
In November 2016 in India monetary reform: the authorities removed old-style banknotes of 500 and 1000 rupees (460 and 920 rubles) from circulation in order to bring the country’s economy out of the shadows and force businessmen to pay taxes. These bills accounted for about 90% of all cash in the country. For the first few weeks, it was possible to exchange small amounts for new banknotes, but then the government stopped the exchange and left the only option - to deposit the money. Huge queues lined up at banks, and there were even riots in some Indian cities. However, the reform has given a big boost to cashless payments and the use of mobile wallets. This is partly why every tuk-tuk driver accepts payment via smartphone.
India has a very complex banking system and is heavily regulated by the government. There are universal banks licensed for all products. There are depository financial companies - those who can only accept deposits from the population, but do not have the right to lend to them. Credit companies, in turn, are prohibited from accepting deposits. Literally every field of activity has its own narrow finance company: some finance construction, others finance cars or household appliances.
Salary
Let me remind you once again about the gap between rich and poor and about the fairly high standard of living in Gurgaon compared to the rest of India. The average salary of a recent graduate in an entry-level mass position, say, a call center employee, is 10– 15 thousand rupees (9200– 13,800 ₽) per month. Specialists from 6– With 8 years of experience they earn around 100 thousand rupees (92 thousand rubles) per month. At the same time, graduates good universities, which are in the top 10– 20 according to their academic performance in their course, they can count on employment in some large corporation and a monthly salary of about 150 thousand rupees (138 thousand rubles) immediately after studying.
In Moscow in 2018, according to Moscow City Statistics Service, the average salary was 78,946 ₽ - this is also a figure before taxes.
Average expenses per month:
|
Expenses |
Gurgaon |
Moscow |
|
Rent ½ apartment |
65,000 rupees (59,800 ₽) (1/2 apartment with three bedrooms in a gated complex) |
RUR 87,500 (1/2 of a four-room apartment in an elite residential complex) |
|
Payment of ½ utilities |
2500 rupees (2300 ₽) |
4150 ₽ |
|
Metro, 60 trips |
3240 rupees (2,981 ₽) |
1900 ₽ |
|
Taxi, 2 times a week |
1362 rupees (1253 ₽) (Uber package) |
3200 ₽ (in Moscow for medium distances) |
|
Purchasing products from the list, 2 times a week |
8952 rupees (8236 ₽) |
11,680 RUR |
|
Business lunch, 5 times a week |
13,200 rupees (12,144 ₽) |
7500 ₽ |
|
mobile connection |
169 rupees (156 ₽) (28 days) |
700 ₽ (month) |
|
Home Internet |
1300 rupees (1196 ₽) |
500 ₽ |
|
Entertainment (2 cinema tickets, 1 museum ticket) |
1020 rupees (938 ₽) (museum ticket for residents) |
1500 ₽ |
|
TOTAL: |
96,743 rupees (89,004 ₽) |
118,630 RUR |
Prices are converted into rubles at the rate of 1 rupee = 0.92 ₽.
Total:
India: 96,743 rupees (89,004 RUR)
Moscow: 118,630 ₽
When calculating the total expenses, we used the prices indicated in the text. If it was specified price range, the arithmetic mean was calculated. When writing the text, Sravni.ru did not collaborate with any company or brand.
Without a doubt, India is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world. She still remains a mystery to most, despite the fact that everyone knows about her, her traditions, cooking, and history. Everyone knows that this is a country of contrasts. And yet in India, a country with democracy, mobile phones, a developed pharmaceutical industry and Bollywood, there are many strange and incomprehensible phenomena.
It is known that more than a billion people live in India and it is the largest democratic country in the world. It is difficult to imagine such huge support for the government from society, but society, in turn, forces the government to work hard. Well, or so it seems! To this day, the caste system has been preserved in India, which indicates to each member of society his place.
Most countries in the world have only 4 seasons; there are countries that have even fewer. For example, in countries located on the equator, all year round warm, and vice versa, in countries beyond the Arctic Circle it is constantly cold. In India, there are 6 seasons according to the Hindu calendar, the main religion of the country: summer, monsoon season, autumn, winter, pre-spring season, spring.
Unfortunately, national currency India's rupees are not allowed to be taken out of the country. This news will upset tourists, but this rules out currency speculation. Although local residents try to export currency and speculate with neighboring Bangladesh, this all happens on a small scale. More and more people in India are starting to use cards.
India is a country of contrasts. In the country, poor and rich, literate and people who cannot read and write live side by side, and such a majestic structure as the Taj Mahal is adjacent to shacks. Only 65% of the country's population is literate. Among women, 45% are literate, and among men – 75%. Despite relatively high literacy rates, India has high poverty rates.
The country's population continues to grow. They say that by 2028, India will overtake China. Already today it has exceeded the total population of Western Europe.
At the time of Pangea, all the continents were one large piece of land. Thanks to tectonic processes, huge parts began to separate. It was then that India began its journey separately from other parts. Later she came across a piece of what is today Asia and stopped.
In India people speak 1000 different languages and dialects. A phrasebook will not help a traveler, since many local dialects and languages are radically different. It is true that most people know Hindi.
India has the highest death rate in the world. main reason This phenomenon is road accidents. Traffic on roads in India, especially in cities, is extremely heavy and poorly regulated. It takes talent to maneuver safely between cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, animals and pedestrians. People die under the wheels of cars or due to suffocation in crowded buses. The mortality of newborn children and pregnant women due to insufficiently qualified medical care also contributes to the high mortality rate. In addition, people still kill for infidelity and dowries.
When it comes to cinema, everyone has associations with Hollywood. However, India produces about 1,100 films every year, which is twice as many as the US. Believe it or not, most Indian films are not produced in Bollywood. Although many people enjoy the colorful, emotional, expressive films of Bollywood stars, this is only a small part of the entire Indian film production.
Indians' passion for records different areas can be called strange. For example, the Guinness Book of Records records the record for the world's largest blanket, crocheted. The world's largest metal peacock was built in India. A record has been recorded for the most massive performance national anthem.
Everyone knows the problem that arises in megacities around the world - air pollution from exhaust gases cars, which manifests itself visually in the presence of smog, and physically in difficulty breathing. China is most famous for this, but in Mumbai the situation is even worse. Staying in Mumbai or Delhi for one day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. According to World Organization health in these cities, 1.5 million people die every year from lung cancer and asthma.
Although most people in India eat a plant-based diet, Indian cuisine there are very delicious dishes from chicken, goat, lamb. But India has the largest number of vegetarians. The Indian Golden Temple distributes several thousand free vegetarian meals to the poor and homeless every day. You should definitely try paneer, naan and biryani - dishes made from vegetables and rice.
8. 53% of houses without water supply and sewerage
In Indian cities, people die under the wheels of cars, from polluted air, and also from unsanitary conditions, since 53% of houses lack running water and sewerage.
Dowry is an ancient Indian tradition. When a guy and a girl are going to get married (very often their parents make the choice for them), the bride and her family give a large sum money to the groom's family. These are especially large sums when they intend to improve their social and caste status through marriage. Unfortunately, because of this money, one girl is killed every hour in India.
In every spoon of almost all Indian dishes you can find turmeric, coriander, mustard, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and chili pepper. It's no surprise that 70% of the world's spice reserves are Indian origin. If you want to try a native Indian dish, then it is better to visit any Indian family. They spend several hours preparing the dish and a huge variety of spices - this art is difficult to learn.
Unfortunately, slavery still exists in India today. The number of slaves reaches 14 million people. For a long time this topic was kept silent and no attention was paid to it. People in many countries of the world could not even think that in India there is slavery, which exists thanks to imperfect legislation, corruption local authorities. Most slaves are poor, illiterate women and children forced into hard labor and prostitution.
Apart from slaves, there are a lot of poor people in India. A large number of families with children live on the streets, collecting alms. In India, the average person has to work 14-16 hours to earn a little money. On average, they earn up to $1.25 per day. The government is trying to pay benefits to the poor, stimulate the development of agricultural areas and motivate the poor to take up farming, but so far to no avail.
There are a number of developed countries in the world where the rights of men and women are equally respected. In India, in some families, newborn girls are deliberately killed, since they will not be able to continue the family line. Between 100 and 500 thousand girls are killed every year in the country simply because of their gender. Selective abortions are practiced here, which were officially banned back in 1994. Those girls who manage to survive are often humiliated throughout their lives by the male population. If we talk about medicine, then more attention and respect is shown to boys and men when talking about vaccinations and treatment.
In accordance with the traditions of Hinduism, which is very common in India, the day of the funeral of the deceased is celebrated and remembered by relatives. Most often in India, corpses are burned, and at funerals they are not allowed to drink alcohol or eat meat products; this rule also applies to the next 12 days. The eldest son in the family pours the ashes of the deceased into the water of any body of water nearby, it can be the ocean, sea, river, lake. Relatives and family friends celebrate the death of the deceased, wishing him a happy afterlife.
In ancient times in India, marijuana was used for various purposes. Today this is an absolutely legal action; marijuana is used in different forms, although there are some restrictions related to religion and traditions. For example, it is added to dishes and milkshakes are made from it. It is one of the five sacred plants that are mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. Marijuana is also used to treat various diseases and during religious ceremonies. Hindus are sure that Shiva also used marijuana.
No less
Not all women who go abroad can accept the culture of another country. This is especially true for such an exotic country as India. Continuation of the story of one of the women living in this country.
I continue my story, the first part of which was published about how Russian wives live in India.
How do ordinary people live in India?
I’m quietly moving on to Indian nature :-) I already wrote that Indians love to litter on their streets.
But when I arrived and met many of my husband’s friends and acquaintances, I was simply shocked by how educated people could throw bottles out of car windows, bags of chips at their feet, etc.
At some point I couldn’t stand it and gave a lecture, so do you think anyone understood me? Another time, when they threw a bottle out of the window, then everyone looked at each other, looked at me and started laughing, oh sorry! I realized that no one understood. The day before yesterday, one of my husband’s friends started laughing openly in my face in response to my remark, saying: “Relax, this is India, freedom!” I have no words…
And men constantly chew dried pieces of various odorous plants; they are sold in small bags everywhere. Some of them contain tobacco. So when they chew them, the saliva turns orange, so you can see where they spat... Our whole house, the elevator, absolutely everything is dirty! And these people live right there! We have a closed area...
Indians will weigh a million times before buying something.
Indians save on everything. If your vacuum cleaner works, but doesn’t work, it’s pointless to explain that you need another one: “This one works!”
An Indian will never buy a new thing while the old one is working; moreover, he will also take it for repairs, even if it is clear that it is on its last legs. And if it cannot be repaired, he will exchange it with an additional payment for a new one. This is widely practiced in India. My washing machine is jumping to the ceiling, they thought I was crazy when I mentioned a new one... and they will always choose what is cheaper.
However, they are willing to spend money on gold. Tourist trips are also not very popular, and only within the country, but going to a very distant relative’s wedding by train takes 8 hours - holy cause.
photo www.sunrise.dev.diogenes.ru
Moreover, wedding organizers rent apartments or some room in a hotel, perhaps even without decoration, rent mattresses on which you don’t know how many people have slept, throw them directly on the floor in rows and guests settle there for a couple of nights.
Fortunately, we never lived like this, but I was once in such a hall, after 5 minutes I wanted to run away from there, like gypsies or homeless people! They wrapped themselves in a sari and everything was ok, they were sleeping. Of course, those who can afford to rent a room on their own will do so, but why spend so much money :-):-):-)
And in general, some Indians sleep on the floor, even those who have beds, apparently a habit left over from the times when there were no beds. Although they say that it’s healthier this way :-) I asked them, do your sides hurt? No, they say, nothing ever hurts, you can only envy :-)
Most families even save on food, do not buy any foreign products, and eat only traditional food.
My husband and I had a lot of scandals on this topic, somehow I wasn’t used to counting every penny, but now I count every rupee. And here it’s not a matter of greed, but a scrupulous attitude towards money, they treat it very respectfully and every rupee is money for them. Therefore, they will weigh a million times before buying something and buy only if they really need it.
This is their advantage: Indians, with rare exceptions, boast of the money they earn. Asking how much something costs is rude. But, if you ask, they will definitely say that it is very cheap and lie about the price. So as not to be envied!
Astrology is the basis of life in India
photo www.lagna.ru
Very a big problem I have their prejudices. For them, astrology is the basis of life. Not a single Hindu lives without a personal astrologer. And everyone absolutely believes in it. This is science! And, God forbid, if you start joking about this topic, they will be offended. Without an astrologer's resume, neither a wedding, nor a major deal, nor a trip will take place. It all depends on the craziness, some apply more often, others less often.
Also, almost every Indian wears rings with stones on their hands. As a rule, the rings are of poor quality, since they are handmade, but the rich can also find beautiful rings. But the point of the rings is not decoration, so no one cares about the appearance. It's all about the influence of the stone on you and your destiny. Absolutely everyone believes in this.
So if the Guru says that you have to wear some stone, you have to wear it even if you don't like it. Your relatives won’t leave you alone, and you don’t want to upset anyone? :-)
About religion and faith of Hindus
Yes, about faith. There are no irreligious people in India. Muslims, Hindus, Punjabis, Catholics, Buddhists, Sikhs and others all live nearby. But there is no open hostility like we have, and that’s encouraging. But still, according to my surveys, Muslims are trusted less.
Religious holidays are a holy thing, so if any Hindu festival starts, no one goes to work. During September-October, almost every week there was one day off in honor of different gods, and there are many of them in Indian religion :-)
photo www.bigpicture.ru
On holidays, temples are visited, preferably every day. Some of the rituals are very interesting, for example, recently there was a festival in honor of Lord Ganesh, everyone bought Ganesh statues, prayed for them for 9 days, and then, according to tradition, drowned them in the river.
They also pray in offices during such festivals. At my husband’s work, the whole office prayed to the Ganesh statue for 9 days in the morning. Everyone took turns bringing sweets, such as semolina halva, and before prayer they put it to God, and then ate it, this is called prosad. Like illuminated food.
By the way, in India, many offices have a six-day work week. Hindus get up early, at 6 or even 5 in the morning, take a shower, and pray. In every house there is a room or place, like a small temple, where Hindus pray while sitting, called a puzha. Then they have breakfast and go to work, stopping at a temple on the way. I already wrote that they take off their shoes in front of the temple, so it’s better not to wear expensive shoes, they might get stolen. That's how we got the 2nd spanking. In the evening before going to bed, shower again, pray and only then eat. And so every day.
photo www.bigpicture.ru
There is also the concept of puzha, as a prayer service, i.e. a pandid (Hindu priest), alone or with colleagues, comes to you and performs puja on some occasion, or in honor of god during a festival. All this is accompanied by special preparation, chanting mantras and ends with eating food.
This is all very interesting at first, to watch, so to speak, but when the effect of novelty wears off, it becomes unclear, what are they doing anyway?
Why did they put a flower here, and then sprinkle it with rice, etc., but no one can really explain anything to you, and the pandid won’t do it, he doesn’t speak English and doesn’t have time. As a result, you just sit there, like a participant in some kind of performance, but you don’t understand its meaning. Sometimes they tell you to say certain words, and you begin to feel like a sheep.
It's no fun, let me tell you. And it’s good if it ends quickly, but what if it lasts for 4 hours? During puzha, fire is often used, they simply light a fire in a container, setting fire to some branches of a special tree with some complex composition, and in the end it smokes so much that you cry. In ancient times, they probably did this on the street or their houses had no windows or doors, but traditions cannot be changed, it is sacred!
But most people are very good. They have no hatred towards people of other nationalities or other religions. They are very patient and everyone talks about love and happiness :-)
The theme of love comes first for Indians
In general, the topic love in india in the first place, true love, at first sight and for life. Of course, in major cities The situation has already changed, and sex has become easier to relate to, but still, in the majority, chastity plays a very important role.
I will tell you one incident that happened before my eyes. We were vacationing in Pune, and my husband’s friend was in love with the same girl, both were young, she was studying in college and lived in a hostel. We all relaxed together in the evening, everything was very decent, he gave her a gift, held her hand a little and looked at her all the time, without taking his eyes off :-) it was very sweet :-)
But, it’s 9 pm and she’s not in the dorm yet! Someone very kind called and told her father that she had not arrived yet and that she was spending time with a young man. Her father sent his brother, who lived nearby, who took her, and the next day she was deported to her father’s house. This was the end of her college education. But really, why does she need it, anyway, in a couple of years they will get married and she will bake cakes :-) True, with education, you can find a better, richer groom :-) These are the morals.
Here marriage is perceived only as for life
To love among Indians serious attitude. Love, as a rule, lasts a lifetime, although divorce is more common now.
photo www.getevent.ru
Most often parents are looking for a couple, or a young man may meet future wife at someone's wedding and ask mom to find out who she is, or look for her through an ad in the newspaper. Yes Yes! In the advertisements they first write what caste, religion, education and only at the end height and weight.
In general, appearance certainly plays a role, but not a special one, the main thing is the parameters, the coincidence of horoscopes, the groom’s income, whether the family is good, whether the people in the family are happy, his soul, and only then his appearance.
Couples are usually chosen harmoniously; I have never seen her being tall and he being short. They even look similar. Couples created out of love by the young themselves are common in large cities, and they are very proud of this and will certainly say so.
But in confidential conversations I asked women who were given in marriage by their parents, are they happy in their marriages? The answer is always the same: “Very.” And I believe them, they look really happy. Parents rarely marry their children for selfish reasons, only if they are suitable for each other.
In general, Hindus treat marriage very calmly as part of their life. Here marriage is perceived only as for life. My husband told me this even before the wedding: “Just think, this is for life :-),” and that’s what really captivated me.
Yes, divorces happen. For example, one couple divorced because the wife had an abortion secretly from her husband, the husband realized that she did not want children from him, and they divorced. She was lucky her family took her back. Another couple divorced because the groom loved another before the wedding, and she refused him the wedding, and out of grief he got married. And after the wedding, she forgave him, and he decided to return to her. Like this, so it’s also different, you can’t guess.
But Hindu men mostly loyal, affectionate and will try to do everything for you. The main thing for them in the family is respect. Only with the help of respect can you live your whole life with each other.
photo www.getevent.ru
The only reason I'm here is because of my husband. This is crazy love. Of course, like all couples, we quarrel. One time I even packed my suitcase, like I’m leaving for Moscow, but we love each other very much, and everything worked out.
I don't have to worry about his office roommate or secretary jumping on him, that I won't satisfy him sexually, or that he'll get bored when we have two kids and find himself a new woman. All this nightmare will not happen. It's simply not possible here. Simply no one from his family will understand him, he will become an outcast, it is a rare man who will decide to do this. And the mentality is different, they don’t think about this :-) You should take this into account if you are thinking about marrying a Hindu?
You will have a different life...
Still, I recommend not marrying foreigners. Firstly, this is a monstrous adaptation period; it takes years to get used to living in India. It's very hard. But then it lets go and you start to notice good things :-)
But still, if you don’t know Hindi well and don’t have a job, it’s better not to take risks. You will sit alone at home all day, don’t rely on the Internet, it doesn’t work everywhere and not always, but good speed- This is money.
In the company of relatives and his friends, you will simply be bored. Yes, they will speak English, but only with you. This means that if you ask something, they will answer you briefly and continue speaking in Hindi, which you do not understand.
Friends from Russia will quickly forget you. No, they will congratulate you on your birthday, write on VKontakte. But Russia lives its own life, a different rhythm, other things are important, in a year you will stop understanding them, you will simply forget how to worry about traffic jams, rudeness in government institutions, rising taxes, and now opposition uprisings.
You will have a different life, all this will already seem like some kind of madness and unreal. Now you are a stranger among your own and a stranger among strangers. You will always be a stranger here, you will never be perceived as one of their own. And you will feel it all the time.
At the zoo they will take pictures of you as if you were an exhibit, in the park you will not have a rest, because you again become the main attraction, and at home they will speak to you in a language that you do not understand. Yes, by the way, my husband and I speak English, and I really want someone to tell you in the morning: “ Good morning", and in the evening " Good night" in Russian…
I appeal to lovers of India, lovers of meditation, etc., who will immediately begin to take my article with hostility. Yes, I understand that almost everything I complain about doesn’t matter to you. But I address my article to Russian women who are thinking about moving to India. They need to know this information in order to make such a powerful decision in their lives.
Elizaveta, especially for the site intdate.ru
India is a country that will force you to leave your comfort zone and make you feel more alive than you have ever felt before. A country where the ATM may not like you, but McDonald's will offer you a Maharaja Mac...
This is roughly how British photographer Michal Huniewicz prefaces his photo report on his trip to India. Sometimes his descriptions show panic, sometimes delight, and at times these feelings are simply mixed.
01. Welcome to India
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02. Ride on the bus
Taking the bus is very cheap, but they are often overcrowded or in poor condition. On the other hand, even if it is completely full, Indians will always be able to make room and find a place for one more person, you don’t have to worry about this
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03. Indian wedding
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04. Any guidebook will tell you that India is a country of many paradoxes. You see modern buildings and technology, and a minute later someone offers you tea in a clay cup self made– the method of making these cups has not changed for thousands of years.
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05. In this photo there are two girls living in one of the slums of Delhi, near the Kirti Nagar station.
Of the 14 million people living in Delhi, 4 million live in slums.
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06. Puppeteer
But even the poor here have fun and smile. This guy entertains spectators in the Kathputli slum in Delhi. This calm looking place is in the middle of the most disturbing surroundings I have ever seen or breathed, it was an impressive experience for every one of my senses.
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07. The Ganges (or Ganges) is the second largest river in the world, and its basin is the most densely populated. From a spiritual point of view, it is one of the main shrines for Hindus and is worshiped as a goddess in Hinduism.
Unfortunately, the Ganges is also one of the five most polluted rivers in the world.
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08. Girls in Varanasi, on the other side of the river.
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09. Sunrise in Varanasi
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10. In the Ganges, Indians wash, brush their teeth, bathe, do laundry, and dump waste, ashes and the remains of burnt corpses here.
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11.
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12.
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13.
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14. Birla Mandir, Hindu temple in Varanasi. One of the many temples built throughout India by the Birla family.
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15. Street food.
Before traveling to India, I was warned not to buy food on the streets. We all paranoidly performed many hygiene procedures using various products such as antibacterial soap, and much more. We brushed our teeth mineral water, drank strong alcohol, slept wrapped in silk cloth, and under no circumstances tried not to touch their mouth with their hands.
One of us ended up getting sick. We decided that he was dying, and that we should leave him in Varanasi, where he would be burned along with the rest of the corpses... But he miraculously survived...
Of course, not all food in India is street food. Most food is prepared in kitchens, and this is usually the cleanest place in the house.
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16. Red Fort, Agra.
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17.
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18. Unpleasant meeting
This happened in one of the slums of Delhi. At some point the atmosphere became tense. Someone threw some stones at us, someone splashed liquid, no one smiled, and they said that we should leave.
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19. Pleasant meeting
Indian people belong to at least to four different racial groups. They speak 325 various languages(15 of which are official, including English), and seven religions are practiced...
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20. Sacred cows on the freeway.
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21. A man cooks meat in Jaipur.
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22.
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23. The girl in the photo covers her face not for religious reasons, but to protect herself from dust and dirt.
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24. Wedding procession.
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25.
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26. Indian school.
This is a small school in Abhaneri (Rajasthan). The children did not speak English, but when my friend wrote the names of the days of the week on the chalkboard, they began to sing a song that listed those days.
By the way, before traveling to India, I read in one of the guidebooks that I would definitely meet children who would want to practice their English. And it really happened! One of the boys asked me to explain to him the meaning of a mysterious English word: gotta(must).
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27. The dot on a woman’s forehead is called a bindi and means... a little. It doesn't even have to be that she's Indian. Widows shouldn't wear one, that's all. I used to think that only a married woman can be seen wearing a bindi, but I was wrong.
(In Hinduism, a bindi is a sign of truth, the so-called “third eye”. Traditionally, bindis are worn only married women. Although today the bindi is a stylish decoration, and every girl can try it on. The hippie and techno movement's interest in India brought the bindi to Europe and America, where it evolved from a spiritual symbol into a fashion item. Here you can see bindis on the rave scene; in the USA they have already become a mass decoration of various shapes and colors. – approx. valse-boston /wikipedia/)
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28. A woman digs through garbage in Jaipur, surrounded by pigs and cows. She extended her hand to me, asking for money.
It’s curious that many people here refuse to take money for anything. They are trying to sell you something, but they will not take money just like that, not wanting to become beggars.
By the way, I thought that there were wild boars, and was very scared. And these were just hairy pigs... The locals were greatly amused by my fear.
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29. If you are a foreigner in India, you can see more of India than the local citizens themselves. You have more freedom to move around. The people around are good and friendly, and almost everywhere and always you will be greeted with a smile.
I felt much more natural and calm than in Arab countries, which I recently visited, where many men looked at me as if they would prefer to see me with a hole in my head.
With a foreign passport, you are unlikely to have any restrictions in India, especially if you have white skin. Quite sad to realize this... But useful.
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30. Traffic on Indian roads is absolutely crazy. There are too many people and too much traffic, and everyone is honking all the time. All the time! Their horns mean: look around, I'm driving, pay attention, get out of my way, I'll overtake you, yes, my car is bigger than yours... More than 130,000 people die as a result of road accidents every year! But, on the other hand, this is only 11 per 100 thousand inhabitants (for example, in Egypt it is 42 per 100 thousand)
Rule traffic № 1: a large car gets priority.
Rule of the road No. 2: obviously the more expensive car gets priority, even if it is smaller.
Rule of the road No. 3: the cow always gets priority.
Every Indian will slow down to let a cow pass, but not everyone will let a pedestrian pass! Markings and traffic lights are only sample instructions drivers, nothing more.
India – safe country, no one pursued or threatened me and my friends... but the roads, the roads...
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31. In the Karni Mata temple in the city of Deshnok, known as the “Temple of Rats”
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32. Karni Mata - Hindu saint and political figure. Considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga
Rats in the temple are considered sacred animals. There are more than 20 thousand black rats here. If you accidentally step on one and kill it, you must replace it with one made of solid gold.
There are also white rats here, but not many. If you see one, it's good luck.
In the temple, a young man came up to me and said: “I have double luck today - I saw a white rat and a white man!”
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33. In a workshop in Jaipur.
I remember being approached by a polite young man who asked: “I’m sorry, I don’t want to embarrass you, but your fair skin is so beautiful, and my dark skin is so rough. How do you do it, what kind of cosmetics do you use?” My jaw dropped and I was silent for a while. "...You don't embarrass me," I told him shyly, and assured him that his skin was more than beautiful.
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34. No matter where you go, as long as you stay in the city, there are always rickshaws circling around you like vultures. Although they aren't very fast or very safe, they can get you places where a regular car can't go.
They offer you a price that is at least twice the real price, but if you have enough time and patience, you can seriously reduce it by haggling. One day in Delhi I organized a small auction among competing drivers.
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35.
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36. This guy didn't want to leave. He swore to protect me from the "aggressive monkeys who had horribly bitten a British tourist the day before" but I told him for the millionth time that I didn't need help. I could protect myself - I had cookies that could easily be used to bribe any monkey here. In the end, he demanded money, which I refused to give him...
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37. This photograph illustrates the life of an Indian woman. There are no professions in India that women cannot engage in: they work as miners, in quarries, on construction sites and on farms. They are typically paid less than men for the same work, and it is not at all uncommon for a woman to work while pregnant or caring for a child.
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38. Mehrangarh Fort is a fortified structure on the high cliffs of Marwar, overlooking the city of Jodhpur.
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39. I am happy to tell you that this is the largest and best temple in the world.
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40. Untouchables are the lowest status, people outside the Indian caste system. They make up approximately 16% of society. Until recently, the Untouchables were required to wear bells, demonstrating to those around them their “unclean” presence.
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41. This girl is from the Untouchables. I met her near the temple and asked her to pose for a photo. She refused to enter the area surrounding the temple. I couldn't understand why until a passerby explained to me that she was not allowed to approach the temple because of her low status. She was simply sitting in the garden outside, relaxing before returning to her menial work. There was no sign of rebellion, she simply accepted her fate.
Even today, in rural areas There are cases where untouchables are killed simply for disobedience and violation of customs.
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42.
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43. Varanasi.
Amazing fact: there are dolphins in the Ganges. It’s hard to believe, knowing how polluted this river is.
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44. Pier of Fire
Here the ritual burning of corpses takes place, and the ashes end up in the Ganges. This method of burial is desired and honored by most Hindus.
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45. In India you will never be alone - other people here are always very close to you. It's a little overwhelming at first, but after a while everyone gets used to it.
In this photo, a child is in the city of Abhaneri.
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46. In the Middle East, I had to ask people to pose for photos, and they almost always refused. In India, on the contrary, I had to ask people not to pose or take special poses when they saw me with a camera. People in India love to take pictures!
In this photo, a family is in a tent in the slums of Jaipur.
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47. India may be considered a third world country, but it should not be forgotten that middle class Here, as a rule, it is much more prosperous than in the West.
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48. A girl named Krishna is talking to my friend. Her English is very good. It turns out that many Indians speak English with each other - it has become the main language for educated people here.
Although many speak to foreigners in strange forms of English, which I often could not understand (or even recognize as English). Heavy Indian accent and intonation, strange words and pronunciation that vary different parts India. In addition, there are words pronounced in a Spanish-like manner, with an "e" in front of them: estrait (street) or eskool (school). Some grammatical forms and words are archaic, while others mean something completely different than they should.
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49. Lotus Temple
Interestingly, if you learn to speak a little Hindi, you will be able to communicate with the locals more naturally, and they will like it - after all, you have put in the effort. Now you can get better prices and break the ice in communication will be easier for you.
But if you want to resolve a serious issue, it seems better to use English - it is still perceived in India as the language of power.
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50.
Frank India. Life and death of Varanasi.
Traveling around India leaves foreigners with conflicting impressions. This country amazes some with its poverty and devastation, but for others it becomes the best place to live. Many come to India to restore spiritual strength and discover creative abilities.
Living here has its pros and cons. The disadvantages include:
- high taxes;
- poor medicine and infrastructure;
- too hot climate;
- unusual food;
- high unemployment;
- low salaries;
- high level of illiteracy;
- crime;
- low social culture.
But living here has its advantages. People in India live for themselves and are in no hurry. After noisy cities, immigrants like this relaxed lifestyle. Compared to Europe and Russia, there are cheap products and high-quality fruits and vegetables here. In India ideal conditions in order to lead healthy image life and do yoga.
General information about the country: government system, climate, economy, ecology
The Republic of India is located in South Asia and borders by sea and land with China, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives and a number of other countries. It is the largest South Asian country.
India is washed by the Indian Ocean, surrounded by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The country lies in four climatic zones: from humid tropical to alpine. It is hot and humid from June to October, and relatively cool from November to February. In different regions in January the temperature can be about +15 degrees, and in June it rises to +48. From June to October, the temperature throughout the entire territory is approximately the same - +28.
The head of state is the president, elected by the people for a term of 5 years, and the head of government is the prime minister. Legislative branch is carried out by a parliament consisting of two chambers - the Council of States and the House of the People. Executive power In addition to the president and prime minister, the Council of Ministers exercises responsibility.
The Indian economy is the 12th largest in the world, and in terms of GDP growth it has become one of the fastest growing in recent years. One of the reasons why this started happening is cheap work force. The common man in India lives poorly and is willing to work for almost nothing. This explains the low cost of Indian goods. In India they grow potatoes, rice, sugar cane, tea, cotton. Mining is carried out here, and the chemical, textile, oil, food and automotive industries are developing.
Industrial development and a large population negatively affect the ecology of not only India, but the entire continent. The country's main environmental problems today are soil degradation, deforestation, landfills, air and water pollution.
Population: numbers, nationalities, density, literacy, occupations, culture, mentality
A huge number of people live in India. Today it is the second most populous country in the world after China. More than 1.3 billion people live here. And the population density is 364 people/km². Representatives of different nations and nationalities live here, including Bengalis, Jat, Tamils and others. There are immigrants from neighboring Asian countries and Europe. According to reviews, the local population is poorly educated. Average level literacy – about 65%. The reluctance to learn is explained by both low income and reluctance to change something in one’s life. The vast majority of Indians have been practicing for centuries agriculture and do not intend to leave the village, so they do not consider it necessary to receive an education. A minority of the population is employed in industry and tourism. Many work in factories producing clothing, which is in demand all over the world.
Indian culture is one of the oldest in the world. Many literary and architectural monuments were preserved. Thousands of pilgrims come to visit thousand-year-old monasteries and other holy places, touch antiquities and see incendiary Indian dances. It was in India that religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism originated. But today, in addition to their representatives, there are Christians, Muslims and pagans. Officially the country is a secular state.
Features of the local mentality - respectful attitude to ancient traditions. Here they wear national clothes, speak Hindi, honor elders and gurus, and still divide society into castes. Hindus do not strive to change their social status and earn more. They are sure that what happens in a person’s life is determined higher powers, and he has no power over it. There is no rush here, and the word “stress” is unknown to Indians.
Popular professions and salaries
Despite high unemployment, India needs highly qualified specialists in various fields. The list of the most in-demand professions for many years includes the following:
- biotechnologist;
- surgeon;
- dentist;
- anesthetist;
- pharmacist;
- IT specialist;
- civil engineer;
- programmer;
- mechanical engineer.
Teachers, higher education teachers, translators, and specialists in the field of tourism are also required. Salaries in India are much lower than European levels. The average annual income of a resident of the country is $2,700. But the gap between the salaries of representatives of different professions is very large. In cities, people receive about $83 a month, and in the countryside - no more than $60. The most highly paid professions– programmer, engineer, IT specialist, therapist. The latter receives about $225 per month. In India, the minimum wage is $57.
Finding available vacancies for migrants
Russians who are attracted to life in India find work in the tourism business. Migrants work as guides, photographers, dancers, and massage therapists. Instructors for extreme sports are in demand aquatic species sports - diving, rafting, paragliding. To live and work here, a migrant needs to know the language well.
You can work in India only with a work visa. Illegal workers are deported and blacklisted. The employer also faces punishment - he can be fined or imprisoned.
Benefits for Russian immigrants
India is not the most prosperous country. There is a low standard of living, high unemployment, a huge gap between rich and poor, high taxes, poor medicine. And yet this country is of interest to Russian migrants. The settlers are interested in the ancient culture and religion of this country. They like warm weather. During the Russian winter, many freelancers come here.
The lifestyle of Indians and Russians is different:
| Features of the lifestyle in Russia | Features of the lifestyle in India |
| Insufficiently high level of culture, which has been increasing in recent years | Complete lack of culture of behavior in society |
| Basically a positive attitude towards foreigners. They are almost always ready to help | Negative attitude towards foreigners. Especially to those who don't speak Hindi |
| Not indifferent to what is happening around. Desire to solve social and environmental problems, fight corruption | Indifferent attitude towards everything and unwillingness to improve your life |
| IN mixed marriages They try to communicate in two languages and teach each other them. A child in such a family speaks two languages | Even in mixed families, they communicate only in Hindi or English. A Hindu will not want to learn the language of his foreign spouse |
| People strive to get an education and constantly improve the quality of their knowledge | Low literacy level. The local population does not have the means or desire to receive education. The vast majority have no cravings |
These are things an immigrant needs to consider before moving to a new place.
How ordinary people live in India: standard of living
In India low prices on products, compared to Europe:
Trip to public transport will cost $0.3, and by taxi – 2.27. For lunch in a cafe you need to pay $2.5-6. A liter of gasoline in India costs $1.12.
Housing prices vary significantly in different cities. In the center of Mumbai 1 sq.m. costs $6850, and on the outskirts of the city $2640, in New Delhi - $3000-1250, in Calcutta - $1400-700. Indian citizens can take out a mortgage at a rate of 9.9%. Only people can buy their own home wealthy people. Many people have to rent rooms and apartments. There are many homeless people in the country, because many do not have enough money for rent. per month for public utilities owner studio apartment pays about $20 for home Internet– $18, and for mobile communications – $5.
The way they live in India simple people, depends on the region of their residence and profession. The highest salaries medical workers and programmers in cities, residents of rural areas receive the least, but the average annual income of a resident of the country is $2,700.
A resident must pay a tax from 10% to 31.5% on any income: from salary, profit on deposits, sale of something. The country has social programs to support different layers population. Benefits are received by disabled people, the unemployed, widows and other categories of citizens. Pension amounts vary from state to state. The average payout is about $3-7. The highest payments are received by pensioners who worked in the public service. Life expectancy in India is almost 69 years. And citizens are forced to work until they are very old, because the pension of many, as a rule, is below the subsistence level - $57.
There is free healthcare in India, but the level of services provided is very low, only the poorest citizens of the country use them. High quality medical care in the country you can only get it for money. In the photo, paid Indian clinics look like five-star hotels, but only wealthy people can afford treatment in them. An initial appointment with a therapist will cost 500-1500 rubles. Many pharmaceutical factories are located in India, so medicines here are tens and hundreds of times cheaper than in Russia.
The country's government is trying to combat illiteracy, but so far has been unsuccessful. Citizens of the country can receive free school education, but many parents are trying to enroll their children in private schools. System higher education is well developed here. There are 220 universities and more than 10 thousand colleges in the country. Education at universities is paid. A year of study costs $15,000. Budget places are allocated, but there are few of them. Upon completion of training, the student can receive a master's, bachelor's or doctorate degree.
India is a very unsafe country. Theft and various types of fraud are common here. Robberies and rapes occur frequently. Tourists are advised not to visit dangerous areas, keep all valuables in the hotel safe only, and keep their bags tightly on the streets.
Standard of living by city and region
The way people live in India varies from city to city and state to state. Residents of large cities have the highest income. Thus, the average salary per year in Mumbai is $829, in New Delhi – $612, in Kochi – $532, in Kolkata – $503, in Panaji – $365. Buying an apartment or house is most expensive in Mumbai and New Delhi, and cheaper in Jaipur.
The southwestern regions of the country are considered the most developed and richest. Standard of living in central and northern parts countries below. The most prosperous state is Chandigarh, and the most disadvantaged is Bihar.
Temples of India and their inhabitants
Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to India for one thing - to visit its legendary ancient temples. They say there are about a million of them in the country.
The most famous of them is the Shiva Temple at Baijanath. It was built in the 13th century. This is where the largest image of Shiva is located. Another legendary structure is the Golden Temple on the banks of the Ganges. Every Buddhist should visit this temple and then take a bath in the sacred river. You should definitely visit the Temple of Love, Brajeshwari Devi Temple and Lotus Temple. Unusual place– Temple of rats in the village of Deshnyuk. It is home to rodents, which are considered sacred animals here. Monkeys, snakes and other exotic animals also live in some local temples.
Russian communities: where they live and how
According to statistics, no more than 1 thousand Russian immigrants officially live in the country. This number includes persons who have obtained Indian citizenship or permanent residence. But according to other sources, this figure is much higher – almost 2 million.
Russians in India mainly live in Delhi. The Indian capital has the largest Russian community in the country. The Delhi Association of Russian Compatriots has been functioning here for more than 12 years. Its representatives organize Russian holidays, teach Russian language in schools and even organized Russian ballet classes.
Visa to India for Russians
To visit India, Russian citizens need a visa, which can be obtained online or at the country's diplomatic mission. The procedure for obtaining a tourist visa has been simplified, and foreigners who want to get acquainted with local customs and ancient traditions and visit ancient temples will not have any problems entering the country.
What visas do you need to apply for?
Foreign citizens who travel to India are issued the following types of visas:
- tourist;
- student;
- business;
- transit;
- working.
Student's permits are received by foreigners who will study at Indian universities. Citizens of other countries can only apply for paid places. The basis for issuing a visa will be a certificate of payment for studies and a letter confirming admission to the university.
Business visas are issued to applicants who are just planning to open their own business in the country. They are also received by those who have already registered an individual entrepreneur and are heading to the country to meet business partners and develop their business. A work visa is issued only to specialists who have entered into an employment contract with an Indian company and received an official job. Such visas are issued to representatives of professions that are in short supply in India.
Entry permits are also issued for those wishing to study religion or take yoga training courses. Tourists receive a visa for three months or six months. The transit card is valid for 15 days, but you can stay in the country for no more than three days. The validity period of student, work and business visas is determined individually. This depends on the duration of the training or the duration of the contract.
Indian visas come in single, double and multiple entry types. Using them you can cross the border one, two or an unlimited number of times, respectively.
Where are the required documents issued?
Russians can obtain entry permission from the consulate in Moscow or St. Petersburg. You can also apply for a visa online and have it stamped upon arrival in the country.
To obtain a visa you will need the following documents:
- international passport and a copy of its first page;
- a copy of the first page and the registration page of the civil passport;
- questionnaire in two copies;
- photograph 3.5x4 cm.
Tourists include a hotel reservation, round-trip air tickets, and a tourist voucher. For a private visit you need an invitation from relatives. Students also submit a certificate from the university, those wishing to obtain a work visa - documents confirming employment, and entrepreneurs - a certificate of registration of individual entrepreneurs. To obtain all types of visas, except transit and tourist, you need a certificate from the bank and from the place of work/study.
Terms and cost of registration
Russian citizens are issued a visa within four days. But the deadline may change if the consulate needs to additionally request documents or verify information.
For a single-entry visa for three months you need to pay 2,750 rubles, a double-entry visa for six months costs 6,185 rubles. Registration of a multiple entry will cost 8,250 rubles. Each foreigner must also pay a consular fee of $100.
Electronic visa
You can also apply for an Indian visa online. To do this, the applicant fills out a form on the embassy’s website, submits documents and pays the state fee. His application is considered within three days, and if everything is in order with the documents, confirmation is sent to email. It must be printed and presented at the airport upon arrival.
This visa is currently only issued to tourists, but in the future it will be available to students and entrepreneurs. An e-visa is issued for a month no more than twice a year.
Possible reasons for refusal
The issuance of an entry permit may be refused if the applicant provides an incomplete package of documents, or if they indicate false information, or if he has previously been refused a visa.
An unemployed person or a young person may be denied a visa. unmarried woman. In this case, applicants may be suspected of intending to emigrate illegally. Visas are not issued to those who have unpaid fines and taxes. It cannot be ruled out personal factor. If the visa officer arouses suspicion or personal hostility, he will be refused permission.
Registration of a residence permit
Foreigners who come to India to do business can obtain a residence permit. But it is not enough to just open a company; you must create jobs for Indians and pay taxes. How more quantity jobs for local residents, the greater the likelihood of obtaining a residence permit.
Residence permits are issued to foreigners who have enrolled in an Indian university and to specialists who are officially employed. For those who want to immigrate to India permanently, it is better to first enroll in a university and, while studying, try to find a job in their specialty. But you need to understand that in this poor, overpopulated country it is almost impossible to find a job. Representatives are needed here rare professions: doctors, translators, engineers.
Another way to obtain a residence permit is to marry an Indian citizen. But to obtain legal status, you need to prove the sincerity of the relationship. If a couple is suspected of having a fictitious marriage, the foreigner will be deported from the country.
Obtaining permanent residence and citizenship
A temporary residence permit is issued for a year, but it can be extended an unlimited number of times. After some time, a foreigner can apply for permanent residence – valid for five to ten years.
Ten years after moving, you can apply for citizenship. To become a citizen of India, an applicant must
- have good knowledge of Hindi and English;
- during last year do not leave the country;
- have no problems with the law;
- have a permanent job.
The applicant takes an official examination in Hindi. It not only shows knowledge of the language, but also answers questions about religion and the history of the country. Due to bureaucracy, applications for citizenship here can take several years to be processed.
