Frustations on living in India

[Just What is happening?]

Hi Guys



I am new to Hyderabad and must say I have never seen such terrible traffic anywhere in my life. It's worse than that of New Delhi. There are hardly any redlights to be seen and it is impossible to cross the roads especially during rush hours(as if pedestrains are not supposed to cross roads during rush hours). In Karkhana my wife ran back after crossing half the road. She just could not cross the road. We had to wait for nearly 20 minutes before we finally gave up!



Everywhere in India it's the same bloody situation. Nobody' bothered.

By the way I came across a forum http://www.vindians.org

This appears to be good and well categorized and offers users a place to even suggest solutions to our problems.





Cheers

[Sharjeel]

Hi Guys

I am new to Hyderabad and must say I have never seen such terrible traffic anywhere in my life. It's worse than that of New Delhi. There are hardly any redlights to be seen and it is impossible to cross the roads especially during rush hours(as if pedestrains are not supposed to cross roads during rush hours). In Karkhana my wife ran back after crossing half the road. She just could not cross the road. We had to wait for nearly 20 minutes before we finally gave up!

Welcome to the Club! Check out the Traffic Tagores thread.



Hyderabad has terrible traffic conditions. And it will take a long time to change the attitude of the people.

[kk]

...it is impossible to cross the roads especially during rush hours...
Everywhere in India it's the same bloody situation. Nobody' bothered.
By the way I came across a forum http://www.vindians.org
This appears to be good and well categorized and offers users a place to even suggest solutions to our problems.
Cheers

I recall the incident when I had to cross the street to reach the stoppers shop. I had waited for a quite a while without much luck and finally decided to plunge in at a full pace to cross the first half of the street. I could barely manage to come to a sudden stop at the road divider to avoid falling under the car comming from the other side. Thanks to my newly discovered gymnastic skills, I was balancing my body from falling off on either side and get myself shattered into pieces.

I see 100s of brides for pedestrains even at the remote village railway stations but they wont care about a subway in the middle of the busy city. Crazy government

[crypt]

I see 100s of brides for pedestrains even at the remote village railway stations but they wont care about a subway in the middle of the busy city. Crazy government

Brides for pedestrians

[KK]

I see 100s of brides for pedestrains even at the remote village railway stations but they wont care about a subway in the middle of the busy city. Crazy government

Brides for pedestrians

bridges*

[Bimbette]

Hi Guys

I am new to Hyderabad and must say I have never seen such terrible traffic anywhere in my life. It's worse than that of New Delhi. There are hardly any redlights to be seen and it is impossible to cross the roads especially during rush hours(as if pedestrains are not supposed to cross roads during rush hours). In Karkhana my wife ran back after crossing half the road. She just could not cross the road. We had to wait for nearly 20 minutes before we finally gave up!

Everywhere in India it's the same bloody situation. Nobody' bothered.
By the way I came across a forum http://www.vindians.org
This appears to be good and well categorized and offers users a place to even suggest solutions to our problems.


Cheers

Things would not be as bad if we as citizens, followed traffic rules. The next time you are at a traffic signal just watch the number of people who are 'raring to go' while the signal is still red.



The change has to begin with us. Period.

[RK]

Things would not be as bad if we as citizens, followed traffic rules. The next time you are at a traffic signal just watch the number of people who are 'raring to go' while the signal is still red.

The change has to begin with us. Period.

Rightly said, any change has to begin with us. Trying to push all the problems on the crowd is just meaningless, as if we are not one among them.

Agree that there are a few souls which give a damn to these signals, the only way we can change their attitude is by following the rules ourselves and showing them that they are a minority



India is country with huge population, life here will be comfortable only when everyone shows social responsibility



cheers.

[Lucifer]

This India-cribbing is just too blah!



Every place has its good and bad points. Take it from someone who has been there done that, there is no place like home. I remember the first time I stepped onto the aerobridge on a foreign land. The feeling of loneliness that gripped me bordered paranoia. I was worried, and too many ifs and buts were running across my mind. What if something goes wrong? Who would I call for help?



And all this when nothing even happened. In fact, I was in greater trouble when I landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the customs. But I did not even feel any sense of apprehension. That is the secure feeling that India gives you, and I would not trade that for anything.



Yes, traffic is bad. But statistically more fatal accidents happen in the US of A that supposedly has the most orderly traffic. Yes, crime may be high but is not New York/Shanghai the crime capital of the world? Why do we forget all the good that India has to offer us?



I am not saying that we do nothing to make things better. We have to constantly work at that. But cribbing is not the way to go about it.

[Vasu]

Lucifer,

While the patriotism is a good quality among the citizens, if you are not realistic then that has no meaning.

Nowhere in the world school kids are run over by buses so routinely, and these killer drivers are back on the roads after a couple of months. The Driving Licence in India is meaningless. You can get it whether you can drive or not, you can see or not. You will never lose it how many accidents you make, how many people you kill. First of all you DON'T need a DL to drive in India.

Nowhere else, you read the newspapers with almost everyday news like Buses swimming in the lakes, Trains walking from tracks, boats going for a deep water dive taking with them hundreds of people.

We have Anti-pollution laws, but I haven't come across a single time, where a vehicle is stopped for emission, when you see every other heavy vehicle give clouds of smoke on the City Roads.

We have laws for everything. Our is the most lawed country in the world. And we have people whose job is to enforce these laws. And they get paid for doing this. Whose money are they getting paid, it is yours and mine and the poor farmers, ricksah drivers, casual labours, school teachers, factory workers and the rest of the billion people. But why don't they do their jobs?

Yes, I always feel happy after landing in India, but it is defnitely not due to the Customs People, who are corrupt to the core, and who do not do their jobs. I don't mind paying the Customs Duty, if at all I am required as per the laws. What I hate is when they ask me for money without explaining to me the reasons, without telling me what I am pemitted to carry, then steal the money from me.

You are completely wrong, if you think Accidents in USA are more than India. Casualty rate in USA is 1.4 per 100 million vehicle miles which is negligible considering the harsh winter, and severe whether phenomenon through the Year, through out this massive country.

And it is really funny to think of New York as the Crime Capital of the World... LOL

[I hate India-Baiters HP]

For once, I'm in full agreement with Lucifer.

Lucifer,
While the patriotism is a good quality among the citizens, if you are not realistic then that has no meaning.

There was nothing unrealistic about what he said. He just pointed out that every place has its own plusses and minuses and India is no exception. And as said by Bimbette above, its very easy to crib about the minuses, but how many of us really have the right kind of social responsibility? Least so, the ones who call themselves NRI's. A majority of them do nothing but complain incessantly about all things wrong in India but never appreciate the nicer side of the coin.

Nowhere in the world school kids are run over by buses so routinely, and these killer drivers are back on the roads after a couple of months. The Driving Licence in India is meaningless. You can get it whether you can drive or not, you can see or not. You will never lose it how many accidents you make, how many people you kill. First of all you DON'T need a DL to drive in India.
Nowhere else, you read the newspapers with almost everyday news like Buses swimming in the lakes, Trains walking from tracks, boats going for a deep water dive taking with them hundreds of people.
We have Anti-pollution laws, but I haven't come across a single time, where a vehicle is stopped for emission, when you see every other heavy vehicle give clouds of smoke on the City Roads.
We have laws for everything. Our is the most lawed country in the world. And we have people whose job is to enforce these laws. And they get paid for doing this. Whose money are they getting paid, it is yours and mine and the poor farmers, ricksah drivers, casual labours, school teachers, factory workers and the rest of the billion people. But why don't they do their jobs?

I can also list out various ills pervading other parts of the world. But mud-slinging will not take us anywhere. Agreed...Whatever you've said above is true - except for the fact that you said all this happens only in India. Get out of your american well and look around dude.

Yes, I always feel happy after landing in India, but it is defnitely not due to the Customs People, who are corrupt to the core, and who do not do their jobs. I don't mind paying the Customs Duty, if at all I am required as per the laws. What I hate is when they ask me for money without explaining to me the reasons, without telling me what I am pemitted to carry, then steal the money from me.

If you're paying the due duty or you're not carrying anything that qualifies as things that demand duty, there is no reason why a customs official would harass you. When people complain about undue harassment by customs, they forget that they are trying to smuggle in that odd bottle of scotch or loads of electronic goods.

You are completely wrong, if you think Accidents in USA are more than India. Casualty rate in USA is 1.4 per 100 million vehicle miles which is negligible considering the harsh winter, and severe whether phenomenon through the Year, through out this massive country.

But then, don't they have adequate infrastructure to cope with that? You tend to forget that we're 200 years junior to the US as an independent country and the infrastructure here is not as good as they have it there. But then, we have made considerable progress over the last few decades of independence and you just cannot discount that.

And it is really funny to think of New York as the Crime Capital of the World... LOL

Wouldn't be so funny if we move a bit up north to Detroit, would it?

[Reality.]

You are completely wrong, if you think Accidents in USA are more than India. Casualty rate in USA is 1.4 per 100 million vehicle miles which is negligible considering the harsh winter, and severe whether phenomenon through the Year, through out this massive country.
And it is really funny to think of New York as the Crime Capital of the World... LOL

First a few points to consider,



The casualty rate is not just becoz of the number of accidents, its dependent on a number of factors like Resuscitation teams response, the hospital care, the type of cars, and number of people on the roads.



when this many factors are involved , we all the know the major underlying problem is the population we have to serve. Its not that all things are hunky-dory in the US even though they have an almost 200 years headstart on us. we still have to wait a long while to get things done in dmv in the US , and to think of it that these people service a fraction fo the applications that the RTA does in india.



And the next point is a simple question, can u imagine walking alone even at midday in any downtown in any city in the US ? And you say "LOL" when they say new york is the crime capital... it might not been the exact city but relatively dont you feel that safe in US ,, out side your car or home or work.



so we all have our faults,, its better we try doing something about them or stop complaining which we dont do when we are in the US. Why cant we do that in india?

[Vasu]

The issue here is Accountability.



I agree with Reality the Casuality rate depends on several things some within our control and some not. But do you have any idea how people value their DL outside India, I am not talking about only US, go to many Asian countires and you will see, That is because irresponsible drivers are killers. How many accidents happen in India because drivers are drunk are just careless, anyone has any idea? And where is the punishment for these killers? Do you know that many of these drivers don't even go to Jail? And they are back on the roads. How can you explain this to people who lost their loved ones because of no fault of theirs. We have laws. And there are who people whoese job is to follow them. Is it fair that kids die because laws are ignored for personal gain?

What progress are we talking about here? A million people employed in IT wearing ties, driving foreign cars... that's it? And we are glad, we happy, we are ecstatic... Mera Bharath Mahaan?

What about the half billion people who live in villages and barely survive? Have they made any progress?

Who are NRIs? They are just like you or anyone else in India. And they love India, it's just that they can't accept what goes on India after seeing things differently.

I never say everything is fair in US, there are so many problems here too. The Blacks are neglected lot, and their rights are confied to only paper. There is poverty here, there is exploitation here too. But one thing I love about this country is Accountability. People are accountable. If things go wrong, heads roll. let it be the top most head. People come to know everything, there is transparency in governance. And our excuse is that we are 200 years behind? so we want to wait for 200 years then, so be it!

Lord whatever, don't hate someone, don't call someone names just because you don't agree with that someone. You want to discuss? then do it fair and square...

Let's not try to hide the facts behind the labels like cribbing, baiting, complaining etc. The issue is not about labelling...

[RK]

What about the half billion people who live in villages and barely survive? Have they made any progress?

No they haven't made and this question will be asked even after 50 years from now if educated people remain indifferent to this issue. Progress is possible only when more and more educated people try and generate economic activity in these villages, instead of flying off to a better living place in or outside India.

Who are NRIs? They are just like you or anyone else in India. And they love India, it's just that they can't accept what goes on India after seeing things differently.

Well, educated people started going out of india even before we got our independence, and they started cribbing right from these early days. But has anything changed because of this, I think the answer is a big NO. So when you don't try or can't change the situation, please don't crib.

What progress are we talking about here? A million people employed in IT wearing ties, driving foreign cars... that's it? And we are glad, we happy, we are ecstatic... Mera Bharath Mahaan?

IT in India has generated a lot of employment, if a miillion people are employed in IT, then atleast twice that figure are indirectly employed because of them and it has certainly raised the income levels of a section of the society and thats a heartening thing to know. We are certainly glad, happy and ecstatic about this

Lord whatever, don't hate someone, don't call someone names just because you don't agree with that someone. You want to discuss? then do it fair and square...
Let's not try to hide the facts behind the labels like cribbing, baiting, complaining etc. The issue is not about labelling...

Yes, things here are bad and need a lot of improvement and everybody should do whatever they can to improve the situation. But as I said before if you don't try or can't change the situation, please don't crib.

If you really are interested in doing something more than this useless cribbing, that is the way to go, all the best

[Miffed HP]

I agree with Reality the Casuality rate depends on several things some within our control and some not. But do you have any idea how people value their DL outside India, I am not talking about only US, go to many Asian countires and you will see, That is because irresponsible drivers are killers. How many accidents happen in India because drivers are drunk are just careless, anyone has any idea? And where is the punishment for these killers? Do you know that many of these drivers don't even go to Jail? And they are back on the roads. How can you explain this to people who lost their loved ones because of no fault of theirs.

What you are saying is true to an extent but saying that it happens only in India is nothing short of blasphemy. We all know our shortcomings but cursing ourselves is no solution to them. This is exactly why I said yoiu were cribbing.

We have laws. And there are who people whoese job is to follow them. Is it fair that kids die because laws are ignored for personal gain?

Nobody said its fair. But my point was....tell me one place in the world which is utopian in every sense. If we have drunk drivers, the west has muggers & robbers. What we all are trying to tell you is that civic responsibility is the anwer to most of these maladies and things are getting better. These DB's themselves are a case in point. From a strength of around 100 odd regular posters, you'll see atleast 40 giving positive inputs on various issues. And these positive inputs pass on to more than 500 readers of these forums. And we're just a drop in the ocean.

What progress are we talking about here? A million people employed in IT wearing ties, driving foreign cars... that's it? And we are glad, we happy, we are ecstatic... Mera Bharath Mahaan?

Haan...Mera Bharat Mahaan. Its not just IT. Let me give you a quick rundown of many other sectors where Indians are doing quite well.

1. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Inflation is at its lowest since the big recession of 1971. And it would have been still lower had it not been for the two gulf wars that hiked the price of petroleum products disproportionately.

2. Healthcare infrastructure in major cities is comparable with the best in the world and is much cheaper when compared to the first world. And this is just the beginning. The pharma sector again, is top class with companies like DRL, Ranbaxy & Lyka leading the way. So much so that India would be one place that won't be much affected with the new patent regime in place.

3. India is today one of the most favoured locations for manufacturing. Companies from the world over are moving their manufacturing operations to India, thus bringing in big investment and a lot of employment opportunities.

4. India is THE most favoured BPO destination in the world today, John Kerry and american hypocrites notwithstanding.

Would have added more had I had the time to research or the inclination to cast pearls before a swine - and thats a proverb, so don't take it literally.

What about the half billion people who live in villages and barely survive? Have they made any progress?

For God's sake, we're just a 50 odd year old country. And talking of progress made in villages, if you're not aware, more than 80% of rural India has electricity today - compared to less than 20% at the time of Independence. And except for the north east (which unfortunately is one sector still neglected) and J&K (eff the pakis), the rest of rural India is connected by road and/or rail to atleast the closest city. Our agricultural produce is one of the highest and finest in the world. If you choose to see only the negative side, its your problem, not India's.

Who are NRIs? They are just like you or anyone else in India. And they love India, it's just that they can't accept what goes on India after seeing things differently.

This has already been answered to by RK. And if you still crave for more, you can check the "Dual Citizenship for PIO" thread.

I never say everything is fair in US, there are so many problems here too. The Blacks are neglected lot, and their rights are confied to only paper. There is poverty here, there is exploitation here too. But one thing I love about this country is Accountability. People are accountable. If things go wrong, heads roll. let it be the top most head. People come to know everything, there is transparency in governance.[/quote] And our excuse is that we are 200 years behind? so we want to wait for 200 years then, so be it!

You're talking about accountability after the murderer of thousands of innocent Iraqis and hundreds of allied troops who had no mandate to meddle in Iraqi affairs got re-elected?

You talk about accountability after the CIA covertly funds contras in Nicaragua and go scot-free for years after that?

You talk about accountability after a member of your cabinet continues in office even after his department has been found guilty of hienous war crimes (Abu Ghraib)?

If that's accountability, I feel the India of today is much better.

My point - I agree that India doesn't have a very accountable governance but then which government is free of scams? And which government is responsible enough to admit its mistakes and step down voluntarily?

And nobody said that being 200 yrs behind the US is a reason for the corruption. That was a reason given for us lagging behind the first world in terms of progress. And you too know that very well. So, don't put 2 and pi together to make hundred.

Lord whatever, don't hate someone, don't call someone names just because you don't agree with that someone. You want to discuss? then do it fair and square...
Let's not try to hide the facts behind the labels like cribbing, baiting, complaining etc. The issue is not about labelling...

Nobody said anything personal against you. We were all saying that either we should do something about the situation, and if we cannot, we should not keep complaining about it. Maybe its that inherent guilt in you about bad-mouthing your motherland which made you jump to that conclusion.

[Reality.]

The issue here is Accountability.

...

Even when we talk about the issues in the US, who was held responsible for the FEMA debacle in new orleans? The boss of FEMA? why isnt the person who appointed him held responsible? Dubya always goes scot free, so is there really any accountability? or just a facade?

[HH]

-Think Of The Holy Form ... Repeat The Holy Name ... GO! ... I Follow This Advice ... Ever Since Then It Has Been HAPPY***** SAFE Driving For Me ...

***** HAPPY LIFE, Too ... For Those Who Live Here ... All "God-Trust" / "Allah-Malik" / "Ram-Bharose" People Here ... No Worry ... No Hurry ... "EVER HAPPY LIFE"! - Elsewhere, People Hurry ... Worry ... Life Gets Upset If Things Ever Go Wrong ... Recounting Of Ballot Boxes Is Eternal Work ... "Power Break Down" Leads To Horrors / Crimes ... Floods / Disasters / Rehabilitation Tough Due To Inexperience Of Sudden Calamities. ...

[OsmaniaBiskit]

How did the discussion go from 'Civic sense-less' citizens to lynch the 'India-baiters' to '(ir)Responsible Governance' to 'Why is dumb ass dubya not responsible fro Katrina' - Wow!! this thread has been all over the place.

Vasu - whatever you said - true that bro.

No regard for life or property - hell ya I'd be pissed off too.

And all ye - arm chair patriots - don't hide your lazy apathetic 'rear ends' behind meanigless jingoism. The least I personally could do is 'think about it'



Shit happens - when shit happens to you it stinks.



"Let’s get off this, and get on with it,

If you wanna change the world shut your mouth and start to spin it

Get off this, get on with it

If you wanna change the world shut your mouth and start this minute"



(Lyrics from Cracker - Get off this)

[HH]

Motto ... Given Go-By ... Satyameva Jayate ... "Satyameva Jaayate" ... "Truth Alone Goes" ... - Committees / Commissions ... The More They Work To Bring The Truth To Light ... The More The Truth VANISHES Into Thin Air ... eh eh eh ... "Dis-Honesty Is The Wisest Policy" ... High Level Examples May Be AMPLY Seen.

[Johnny]

If you leave your Country for Personal Materialistic comforts, it is not wrong, but hell you dont have any right to even talk about the state of affairs back in India.



If you cant survive in this country and run away like a coward and start critcizing, you better hold your tongue. There are two things you could do, when u see somethign wrong in your own country:



1) Run Away to a more comfortable place, accept you AuKaad, and shut your mouth.



2) Stay back and face the problems, and try to do something about them, atleast think of doing something.





Anyother thing you do would qualify you as a Coward.

[OsmaniaBiskit]

If you leave your Country for Personal Materialistic comforts, it is not wrong, but hell you dont have any right to even talk about the state of affairs back in India.

If you cant survive in this country and run away like a coward and start critcizing, you better hold your tongue. There are two things you could do, when u see somethign wrong in your own country:

1) Run Away to a more comfortable place, accept you AuKaad, and shut your mouth.

2) Stay back and face the problems, and try to do something about them, atleast think of doing something.


Anyother thing you do would qualify you as a Coward.

Johnny boy - such refreshing and thoughtful verses - where can we get the 'non-resident' rule book so that every non-resident Hyderabadi knows what they can do or cannot do/say.
Grown up men coming to blows on a busy road for traffic infraction now that is not for weak hearts or children.

2) Stay back and face the problems, and try to do something about them, atleast think of doing something.

Waiting for more pearls of wisdom
he he he

[/quote]

[Johnny Boi]

Johnny boy - such refreshing and thoughtful verses - where can we get the 'non-resident' rule book so that every non-resident Hyderabadi knows what they can do or cannot do/say.
Grown up men coming to blows on a busy road for traffic infraction now that is not for weak hearts or children.

It was for general NRIs, who think that bad mouthing India is the in thing, and not just for NRHs... You can get that book as present when we meet up 1 on 1. Wanna meet up?

2) Stay back and face the problems, and try to do something about them, atleast think of doing something.

Waiting for more pearls of wisdom
he he he

I dont give free advice to morons.

[OsmaniaBiskit]

It was for general NRIs, who think that bad mouthing India is the in thing, and not just for NRHs... You can get that book as present when we meet up 1 on 1. Wanna meet up?

Bad mouthing India? That's a new one !
Sure when do they let you out of the mental asylum? Or just let me know the visiting hours and I will be there.

I dont give free advice to morons.

Why not? I guess you think morons are smarter than you - I don't blame you. Sometimes not being the sharpest tool in the shed hurts.



[Thanks - this is guilt free - HP had me tied up in nice-ities ]

[Johnny]

Bad mouthing India? That's a new one !
Sure when do they let you out of the mental asylum? Or just let me know the visiting hours and I will be there.

Yeah Right... The stinking mouth doesnt know what bad mouthing is all about. How Ironic?

No man, They wont let me out of the Mental Asylum. I am the only one capable to take care of your *ahem* in there. Oh, now that shows why you are like this. Not your fault my son. Manufacturing Defect.

I dont give free advice to morons.

Why not? I guess you think morons are smarter than you - I don't blame you. Sometimes not being the sharpest tool in the shed hurts.

Ouch that Hurt. What a smart comment.

[Thanks - this is guilt free - HP had me tied up in nice-ities

Same Feelilng here too Son.

[OsmaniaBiskit]

Yeah Right... The stinking mouth doesnt know what bad mouthing is all about. How Ironic?

No man, They wont let me out of the Mental Asylum. I am the only one capable to take care of your *ahem* in there. Oh, now that shows why you are like this. Not your fault my son. Manufacturing Defect.

Aww... so cute - you actually have a brain and it works !! Evidently bad genes do not always mean retards. Good to know. Is that why you ended in an asylum - a test subject?

So what do you want to take care of? Just checking.



Check ya later

[Johnny]

So what do you want to take care of? Just checking.

Awwwwww... how diplomatic. As if he doesnt know...
Ok Ok, Now let me help you with this. Re-read your own quote below, and you will know why you are frustrated and who is the one being taken care of...

Evidently bad genes do not always mean retards. Good to know. Is that why you ended in an asylum - a test subject?

got it? Still wanna pretend? Ok, May God help you.



Keep ***kin white asses. All The Best. I dont wanna check you out later anyways, unless ofcourse, you use your smart brains and come up with another expletive.



PS: I dont like fights like this, but then You started it. So