India is quickly becoming one of the most famous backpacking destinations in the world, more and more people choose to travel independently to India rather than going on a per-arranged tour, this can be quite a fun as you get the first hand experience of India. India is a land of cultural diversity and you must be ready for every and anything. As the famous saying goes “Everything you read about India, the opposite is equally true”.

Indira Gandhi International Airport : The Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is recently constructed and is rated at 4th best airport in the world, its big and very convenient with excellent signage. The airport would most definitely make you feel comfortable. Your experience upon arrival at the airport would set the foundation for you travel in India. Just take care of the following and your foundation would be the best possible.

1) Carry a Mobile Phone : Before you embark on your journey to India make sure you a carry a GSM Cellphone. GSM meaning a cell phone which works on SIM card rather than a plan. The phone must be unlocked and ready to use with any carrier in any country. If you are unsure then please consult your local vendor and confirm that your phone is a GSM and unlocked. Its best to carry cheap phones (The basic models) unless you are a business traveler. If you carry your own phone name which needs a Micro SIM (Iphone 4 and 4s) then be get ready to test your cutting and chopping skills as Micro SIM cards are not available in India. The local vendors in India can cut the regular SIM and convert it into a Micro SIM for or you can carry and Micro sim card cutter which is easily available in most countries (Not India).

2) Exchanging Currency : As soon as you are done with your custom checks and immigrations look for a Currency exchanger and get some Indian rupees while your luggage gets onto the luggage claim ramp. Its a good to check the currency rates in your home country before leaving your home country. www.xe.com is a popular current conversion site. $100 should be more than enough to take you through the first few nights.

3) Buying a Local number : Upon claiming your baggage look for any of these names : “Airtel”, “Vodafone”, “Idea”. Or ask airport staff “Where can I buy a prepaid number?”. These are some of the best and the most popular cellular carriers in India. There are small vendors and shops inside the airport where you can buy a Cash Card or a Prepaid number of any of these carriers. The cash cards are available for as low as Rs 10 including the SIM card and calling balance. Its best to buy one of the cheapest packs and recharge/fill it up with calling time of about Rs 100. Prepaid numbers in India come with per-activated International calling facility. The number would be activated instantly or would at most take half an hour.

The local vendors are very helpful and would help you to setup you new number which would not take more than 5 mins.

I personally recommend that you buy a prepaid number and then claim your baggage as that way by the time you exit the airport you would have a local India number.

As soon as you get the number, test it by calling your family back home to tell them that you have made it to India safely, I am sure they must be worried

Note : Please carry a Passport sized photograph and photocopy of the front page of your passport as they would be required to get your pre-paid number.

4) Getting to the City: The New Delhi international airport is located about 20 Kms from the City center. Depending upon your time of arrival and accommodation in delhi you can choose one of the following to get to the city:

1. New Delhi Metro : The easiest and the most convenient way to get the City is the newly constructed Metro also known as the “Airport Express”. If you have booked your Hotel in “Paharganj” which is a very high probability then board the Airport express. As soon as you exit the airport look out the signs for the airport express. The airport express is operational between 5.30 Am and 11 PM. If you are staying at Paharganj then board the train with a ticket to the “Shivaji Stadium” stop. Shavaji Stadium stop is only 2 Kms from Paharganj. After you get down at the Station take a Auto Rickshaw “Three wheeled local transport” to Paharanj. Under no condition pay more than Rs 100. Barraging would be your virtue, if you bargain well you can get it for as low as Rs 50.

2. Pre-Paid Cab: The second best option to get to the city is to use the Pre Paid cab. Pre paid cabs are available through Delhi Govt Pre paid Cab service and private companies such as “Meru Cabs”, “Mega Cabs”. Booths of both the services are available inside the Airport, Just look for “Delhi traffic Police Pred Paid taxi” or any one of the following names private prepaid cab service: “ Meru Cabs”, “Mega cabs”. You must carry the address of your accommodation to make sure you pay the right fare. Private cabs service is A/C, cleaner and the drivers can talk in little it in English where as the Govt Service is not air-conditioned. Once you have booked your provided with a confirmation slip with a number on it. If you have booked a Govt Prepaid cab, the number represents the pillar number from where you can take your cab. Once you exit the airport look for the pillar number from where you can board your cab. This can be a bit of struggle so make sure you ask the Airport staff to help you located the pillar.

The Private company cabs are much better in this case as their local staff would assist you to the cab. So if you are not very comfortable with finding your way around then taking the Private prepaid cab would be the best cab but a little expensive.

A prepaid cab would cost about Rs 800 from Airport to Paharganj where as the Govt Cab would cost about Rs 300.

Even if you take care of the above the things might still get tough, the prepaid counters might the closed; the Metro might be under service. Your preparations and expectations need to be accompanied by a positive attitude to accept every and anything.

But above all you need to understand that you are in India for a different experience and everything you get to experience (Good or bad) is a part of an experience and you must learn to enjoy it.

Best of luck with your travels.

Volunteering can be a deeply rewarding and a fun experience. Yes, you want to contribute to the NGO’s or Not for Profit’s but try and make sure that you are not overdoing it. You are there to help and have fun, not to feel guilty for what you have. So first research the kind of facilities, boarding, food etc you will be eating and how many days you will get off before venturing into India.

2) Hello Delhi Belly!

Your first few days are the most important ones in India. Try not to eat Non Veg during the first few days and eat yogurt as much as possible. Bottled water is a big yes yes. Give your body at least 2-3 days to get accustomed to the Indian food and spices. So for the first couple of days take extra precautions.

3) Traffic, Transport, Holy cow and Beggars

Don’t get confused by the traffic and the noise in India. It’s Okie to toot the horn and there is always something some noise in most of the metros. If you are looking for a somewhat serene place to volunteer and don’t want to be stuck in the metro,  then choose your locations accordingly.

It’s a good omen to see a cow blocking traffic in the middle of the road. No not really but Cows are considered auspicious, so if something is auspicious why go into the why’s of so and so.. There is a lot of poverty in India as well, and hence you will see quite a lot of people begging in the streets too. Try and carry 5-10 rupee denomination notes with you when you are in India. Let’s face it you are going to give money to beggars in India so if you want to give; be smart about  it. Try and give money when you are about to get in the car or leaving the place. Unless of course you want to feel like a celebrity. If you are wondering why, you will know once you are in India.

4) Eat Love Pray

The food is great especially if you are vegetarian, people are good they love seeing and meeting foreigners and it’s the spiritual hub of the world. When it comes to spirituality try and make up your own mind about it. Even if you are non-religious and an NGO is run by a religious organisation try and understand the fact that it’s hard to raise money without bringing religion into it. So it’s not necessarily that the people in that organisation adhere to that faith so don’t be perturbed by the fact that some NGO is run by a religious organisations as such. It’s okie to volunteer with them. Most of the people in India are very welcoming and loving. Infact a guest in India is seen an avatar of God. If you wanted to learn Yoga or meditation and didn’t know how to get started this would be a good place to start. Infact there are some asana/postures in Yoga which have been patented by the yoga PR actioners.

5) Have Fun!

India is a mixture of different faiths, beliefs and the world’s largest democracy. Don’t get bogged down by the helplessness of some of the people living in India or something’s that you might witness. Our belief is if you were born to be a Mother Teresa you would have been born as Mother Teresa. You are you and you have a right to be happy and content doing what you are doing. India is a shopper’s paradise. You will learn the art of bargaining. Whatever price is initially offered by the shopkeeper, the actual retail price for the same thing for an average Indian might be close to 30% of the first price. However don’t expect that you are going to get that….. the more Indian you are going to look in terms of clothing, looks ,speech and confidence the better price you are going to get. Learn to speak a few Hindi words and see if you can fake it and tell them that you have been living in India for the past couple of years but in a different place to where they are now.. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

-India has the largest film industry in the world.

-India is among only 6 countries in the world to have satellite launch capabilities.

-One out of every 8 new mobile users in the world is an Indian. India has one of the largest television networks in the world, with over 300 channels and 500 million TV viewers.

-50 percent of the world’s tea is produced in India

GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY AREAS

–Over US$380 billion of investment needed in 5 years in the following areas:

Power, Telecommunications, Roads ,Ports, Civil ,Aviation & Airports Petroleum & natural gas Urban Infrastructure

– Over 100% growth in demand for key services in the next 5 years in Banking and Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Construction, Retail and Tourism

– Over US$180 billion of investment opportunity in 5 years in the following sectors Metals: Steel ,Aluminium ,Textiles & garments Electronics and hardware Chemicals Automobiles Auto components Gems & Jewellery Food & agro Products

–Over 300% growth in the knowledge sectors in the next 5 years Health care IT and ITES Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology

INDIA BRIEFLY AS AN INVESTMENT DESTINATION

India’s competitiveness from a natural and human resources standpoint is making it the destination of choice for investors. India is a fast-growing economy with a dynamic and robust financial system. India being a democracy ensures a stable policy environment and its independent institutions guarantee the rule of law. This highly diversified economy has shown rapid growth and remarkable resilience since 1991, when economic reforms were initiated with the progressive opening of the economy to international trade and investment. Events such as the Asian currency crisis, the dotcom bust and rising oil prices have had no significant impact on India’s growth, with the economy recording an average annual GDP growth of over 6.5%in the past decade. Going forward, the country is targeting an average GDP growth rate of over 8% per annum. India is in the global arena for increased foreign investment – both through the Equity markets – termed Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). While its size and growth potential make India attractive as a market, the most compelling reason for investors to be in India is that it provides a high return on investment. India is a free-market democracy with a legal and regulatory framework that rewards free enterprise, entrepreneurship and risk taking.

–Large and growing domestic market 300-million-strong consuming class and growing at Over 8% p.a.

– Versatile, skilled human capital, the world’s largest pool of English speaking scientists and engineers.

– Abundant resources large mineral reserves and one of the largest producers of Agricultural commodities

– Robust legal and business support systems independent judiciary and accounting systems.

– Sound economic fundamentals moderate inflation rate and increasing savings rate

– Steady economic reform regime over a decade and a half of economic reform

– Healthy, vibrant financial sector transparent, modern and well-governed financial sector

– Enriched quality of life cosmopolitan, multicultural lifestyle

– A growing Medical Tourism sector

( This article has been pinched from an Indian govt website,feel free to pinch it from here and post it whereever you want)

God Bless!!

KP

Diwali originated from the Term Deepawali (sanskrit word) meaning  row of lights.  Diwali involves people lighting small oil filled lamps and small candles in their houses and its also signifies the triumph of good over evil. Infact not only is it a national holiday in India but its a national holiday in other countries like Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar , Fiji  and Suriname. People mostly wear new dresses and clothes , eat sweets and basically have a nice get together will all their family members. Obviously the kids love firecrackers and its quite a noisy place to be : India : during Diwali. Some businesses even choose the day after diwali as the first day of business for the new financial year as its considered a lucky day. Goddess lakshmi , the Goddess of wealth blesses people during Diwali and its quite common or accepted that in some neighbourhoods people go out an GAMBLE on Diwali. According to a legend the Hindu god Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati were once playing dice on Diwali, and as Parvati won she promised that anyone who gambles on Diwali will get prosperity in the coming year. People also do other religious rituals to please goddess Lakshmi during Diwali.

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman(soul). Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality.

Religious Significance

• The return of Sri Ram after 14 years of Vanvas (banishment). To welcome his return, candles were lit in rows of 20.
• Enlightenment of Mahavira , The central character in the Jainism philosophy.
  The Return of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji (10th Sikh guru)  to Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir; the people lit candles and diyas to celebrate his return
• Also its end of the harvest season in most parts of India and farmers thank the gods for a bountiful harvest and mostly its the farmers who sort of start the financial year from the day next to deepawali onwards.

Its a day of celebration for everyone. On behalf of Volunteerinindia.com I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy diwali and a prosperous year.