Homes in India for the general population. Living standards of people in India. Grooms may not be allowed to attend their own wedding

India is a beautiful country. Tourists who have come to rest at the resort and have not visited the province may not know how do they live in India simple people... The majority of the population, almost eighty percent, are rural people employed in agriculture. Education is at a very low level, just over fifty percent of residents can read and write. Almost thirty percent cannot even write. Contrast in everyday life of India between different walks of life is striking. The age-old caste system and Hinduism, which professes the inevitability of fate, taught people to calmly perceive the everyday difficulties of life. Indians are very calm about the complete lack of comfort. Moreover, this applies not only to the poor.

You can often see a decently dressed person sleeping on the sidewalk. And next to him was a stray dog. Such philosophical practices as yoga, Ayurveda allow a person to look differently at the world around him. People who profess these teachings perceive reality differently. The need for material things decreases many times. In India, due to the millennial culture based on these teachings, people are very calm about the lack of the benefits of civilization. Although Europeans are sometimes shocked by this attitude of the local population. For example, in India, a husband has every right to expose his wife as a bank bond, and this will be the order of the day. Complete disregard for the rules of personal hygiene allows various skin and intestinal diseases to grow violently. Child mortality remains very high. All of this is juxtaposed with India's clear economic successes and strong economic growth. Large Indian companies successfully compete in the international market in the field of light industry, agriculture and high technology. India launches rockets with satellites, builds nuclear power plants. Despite this, it remains the leader of countries with very low level life.

Where to go to rest in India, in more detail:.

Wedding in India

Still in high gear arranged weddings in India... Parents agree in advance about the marriage of their children, and after that no one asks the newlyweds for consent or disagreement. This is a kind of analogue of a wedding contract. The only exception is that the wife is transferred into full ownership of the husband. She becomes part of his property. At the same time, the bride and groom can see each other only after the wedding ceremony, and then surprises can await them. An Indian wedding takes place in a peculiar way. The guests first dance, sing and have fun in every possible way, and only then sit down at the wedding table and the feast begins. Village and city weddings vary greatly. This happens not only because in the city they, as a rule, are much more elegant and richer. But also because there is no electricity in the villages, the festivities cease at sunset. Despite the fact that India is rapidly entering the twenty-second century, caste boundaries are very jealously enforced and it is very unlikely that the young will come from different castes.

Temples of India and their inhabitants

There are a huge number of active temples in India... On their territory live many people who worship the deities of these temples. Moreover, these deities can be quite peculiar. There are temples dedicated to rats, monkeys, crocodiles, cows, and many other animals. People protect them and take care of them. This attitude comes from the foundations of Hinduism. Since they believe that the soul after death can enter the body of any living being. It all depends only on how much a person led a righteous life during his lifetime. It is quite possible to be in the body of a rat or a monkey, so they take care of them. Basically, the monks of these temples live within the walls of these ancient structures and try to achieve the state of samadhi, that is, internal initiation. True, most of them believe that one can attain initiation without exhausting prayers, but simply walk in orange robes, beg for alms, and smoke charas. Monks of India - this is a special caste, they do not really bother themselves with work, but are content with what nature gives them.

Indian cities life

Against the backdrop of the life of poor peasants in provinces of India, the life of city dwellers is very different. For example, the home of a local billionaire is in Mumbai. This twenty-seven-storey fortress is impressive. Even in his garages, only crystal chandeliers are burning. The building has nine elevators ready to take visitors to three helipads. A huge number of rooms allows the owner to relax in different rooms every day, and all this splendor is adjacent to the darkest slums of the city. This giant house, spread over thirty-seven hectares, is home to only six people. The owner himself, his mother, wife and children. Nearby, in the slums, without water, light and basic amenities, more than twelve thousand people live. According to experts, more than sixty percent of the city's 18 million inhabitants live in slums. And this does not appeal to much protest from local residents. It's crazy for us to see such a luxury, knowing that two-thirds of the country's citizens live on two dollars a day, and one in three children suffers from malnutrition.

India's economic miracle

Example Minister of India in his speech recently stated that "No force can stop the country on the way to progress." The government of India backs up its words with deeds, and now it is one of the leaders in IT technologies. Experts in this field, who once left for the Silicon Valley to earn money, now return home with pleasure. They are paid no less than in America, and the cost of living is much less. India is actively attracting specialists in high-precision manufacturing, such specialists willingly go to work in large cities of India. Residents of cities in India have the opportunity to watch more than four hundred private TV channels. Perhaps there is no such choice in more than one country in the world. Arms exports to other countries are at a very high level. The rise of light industry provides job growth. India is setting itself ambitious plans such as a flight to Mars soon. This is truly a land of contrasts, where fabulous wealth coexists with equally fabulous poverty.

Indian resorts: life by the sea

Life in India near the sea fundamentally different from life elsewhere in the country. Everything is set to meet any needs of tourists. The tourism business is a very significant part of the country's income. Special attention is paid to it. If electricity is a curiosity in the provinces, then on the resort coasts the nightlife is full of colorful lamps that never go out. Life in the resort area has a completely different rhythm. There are always a lot of people here. You won't see beggars. The local police are very careful about this and try to avoid annoying tourists. Although the caste of beggars is very numerous and omnipresent, if you inadvertently give a lot of alms, then you will be chased by crowds of beggars throughout the rest, passing to each other as a kind of prize. Therefore, once in India, you need to be careful so that Christian mercy does not play a cruel joke. The staff working in the resort area is reasonably well educated. Has a good qualification. Goa is home to numerous communities of citizens different countriesunited by one idea. Therefore, their life is very different from life in cities.

Read more about yoga in the article:.

Yogis of India

This caste of people is absolutely different from others. They strive, by means of improving the spiritual, mental and physical abilities of their bodies, to reach a state where the physical needs of the body begin to be covered by the spiritual ones. There are cases when yogis who have reached a high level of self-awareness could neither breathe, nor eat, or sleep for weeks. Various indian schools and the temples teach everyone to comprehend this art. But achieving perfection is not easy. There are many types of yoga. They are very different. The goals can be set different - from improving health to achieving enlightenment. Most often it all comes down to the study of elementary physical exercise, not affecting the aspects of improving the spirit and soul. Europeans are usually content with this.

Stunning vacation in Goa, video:

Not all women who have gone abroad can accept the culture of another country. This is especially true of 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 is published about how Russian wives live in India.

How ordinary people live in India

I am 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 just shocked by how educated people can throw bottles from car windows, bags of chips under their feet, etc.

At some point, I broke down and gave a lecture, so do you think anyone understood me? Another time, when they threw the bottle out of the window, then everyone looked at each other, looked at me and started laughing, oh sorry! I realized that no one got it. The day before yesterday, a friend of my husband's at my remark began to laugh openly in my face with the words: "Relax, this is India, freedom!" I have no words…

And also men chew constantly 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 is dirty, the elevator, absolutely everything is spattered! And these people live right there! We have a closed territory….

Hindus will weigh a million times before they buy something

Hindus save on everything. If your vacuum cleaner works, but does not pull, it is 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 can be seen that he is breathing in incense. And if it fails to be repaired, he will exchange it with a surcharge for a new one. This is widely practiced in India. My washing machine jumps to the ceiling, I was considered crazy when I hinted about a new one…. and they will always choose which is cheaper.

However, they are willing to spend money on gold. Tourist trips are also not very popular, and then within the country, but it is a sacred thing to go to a very distant relative for a wedding by train for 8 hours.

photo www.sunrise.dev.diogenes.ru

Moreover, the organizers of the wedding rent apartments or some hall in the hotel, it may well be even without finishing, they rent mattresses on which you do not know how many people slept, they throw them right 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 escape from there like gypsies or homeless people! They wrapped themselves in a sari and everything is ok, asleep. Of course, those who can afford to rent a room on their own will take it off, but why such expenses :-) :-) :-)

Anyway, some Indians sleep on the floor, even those who have beds, apparently the habit has remained from the times when there were no beds. Although they say that it is more useful :-) I asked them, do your sides hurt? No, they say, nothing ever hurts, one can only envy :-)

Most families even save on food, do not buy any overseas products, eat only traditional food.

We had a lot of scandals on this topic with my husband, somehow I was not used to counting every penny, and now I count every rupee. And here it's not about greed, but a scrupulous attitude to money, they treat them 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 to.

This is their plus, Hindus, with rare exceptions, boast of the money they have earned. Asking how much it costs is not decent. But, if you ask all the same, they will definitely say that it is very cheap and lie about the price. So as not to envy!

Astrology is the basis of life in India

photo www.lagna.ru

I have a very big problem with their prejudices. For them astrology is the basis of life. No Hindu can live without a personal astrologer. And everyone absolutely believes it. This is science! And, God forbid, you start joking on this topic, they will be offended. No wedding, no big deal, no trip will take place without an astrologer's resume. Here everything depends on the madness, someone turns - more often, someone - less often.

Also, almost every Indian wears rings with stones on their hands. As a rule, the rings are of poor quality, as this handwork, but the rich can also find beautiful rings. But the meaning of the rings is not in the decor, so nobody cares about the appearance. It's all about the influence of the stone on you and your destiny. Absolutely everyone believes in it.

So if the Guru says that you need to wear a stone, you will 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, do you? :-)

About religion and faith of the Hindus

Yes, about faith. There are no non-religious people in India. Muslims, Hindu, Punjabis, Catholics, Buddhists, Sikhs and others all live nearby. But there is no open hostility, like we have, and this is good news. But still, according to my polls, Muslims are less trusted.

Religious holidays are sacred, so if a Hindu festival starts, no one goes to work. During September-October, almost every week there was one weekend in honor of different gods, and there are many of them in the Indian religion :-)

photo www.bigpicture.ru

On holidays, temples are visited, better 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, for 9 days in the morning, they prayed throughout the office for the statue of Ganesh. Everyone brought sweets in turn, like halva from semolina, and before prayer they put it to God, and then they ate it, this is called subsidence. Like lit 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, pray. In every house there is a room, or place, such as a small temple, where the Hindus pray while sitting, called puja. Then they have breakfast and go to work, stopping at the temple on the way. I already wrote that they take off their shoes in front of the temple, so it is better not to wear expensive shoes, they can steal. So our 2nd slap went away. In the evening before going to bed, shower again, prayer, 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) comes to you, alone or with colleagues, and conducts a puju on some occasion, or in honor of a god during a festival. All this is accompanied by special training, chanting of mantras and ends with eating food.

This is all very interesting at first, to see, so to speak, but when the effect of novelty passes, it becomes unclear, but what are they doing?

Why did they put a flower here, and then sprinkle it with rice, etc., but no one really can explain anything to you, and the pandid won't do it, he doesn't speak English and there is no time. As a result, you just sit like a participant in some kind of performance, but you don't understand its meaning. Sometimes they tell you to say some words, and you start to feel like a ram.

It's not fun, I'll tell you. And it's good if it ends quickly, but what if it's 4 hours? During the pudding, fire is often used, just a fire is made in the container, setting fire to some branches of a special tree for some simple composition, in the end it smokes so that you cry. In ancient times, they probably did it on the street or they had houses without windows or doors, but traditions cannot be changed, this is sacred!

But people are mostly very good. They have no hatred for people of other nationalities or other religions. They are very patient and everyone talks about love and happiness :-)

Hindu love comes first

Generally, the topic love in india in the first place, true love, at first sight and for life. Of course, in large cities the situation has already changed, and sex has become easier to treat, but in most cases, chastity plays a very important role.

I will tell you one incident that happened before my eyes. We were vacationing in Pune, and an acquaintance of my husband was in love with one girl, both young, she went to college and lived in a hostel. We all rested together in the evening, everything was very decent, he gave her a present, held the handle a little and looked at her all the time, without taking his eyes off :-) it was very nice :-)

But, the time is 9 pm, and she is not in the hostel yet! Someone very kind called and told her father that she had not come yet and that she was spending time with the young man. Her father sent his brother who lives nearby, he took her, and the next day she was deported to her father's house. This was the end of her college education. And really, why does she need it, anyway, in a couple of years they will be married off and she will bake cakes :-) True, with the formation of a groom, you can find it better, in a richer way :-) These are the customs.

Here marriage is perceived only as for life.

To the love of the Hindus the attitude is serious. Love is usually for life, although divorce is more common now.

photo www.getevent.ru

Most often parents are looking for a couple, or a young man can meet his future wife at someone's wedding and ask his mother to find out who she is, or they are looking for by an advertisement in the newspaper. Yes Yes! In the ads, they first write what caste, religion, education, and only at the end, height, 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 the appearance.

Couples are selected, as a rule, harmoniously, I have never seen that she is tall, he is small. They even look alike. Couples created for love by the youngest are common in large cities, and they are very proud of this and will certainly tell about it.

But in confidential conversations, I asked women who were married off by their parents, are you happy in marriage? There is always one answer: "Very". And I believe them, they look really happy. Parents rarely marry their children for selfish motives, only if they fit together.

In general, Hindus regard marriage as a part of their life - very calmly. Here marriage is perceived only as for life. My husband told me so even before the wedding: “Think about it, this is for life :-)”, but it just really bribed me.

Yes, divorces do happen. For example, one couple divorced because the wife had an abortion on the sly of 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 before the wedding loved another, and she refused him a wedding, he got married out of grief. And after the wedding, she forgave him, and he decided to return to her. That's right, so that's also different, you can't guess.

But indian 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 together with each other.

photo www.getevent.ru

The only reason I'm here is because of my husband. This is crazy love. We, of course, like all couples, quarrel. Once I even packed my suitcase, like everything, I'm leaving for Moscow, but we love each other very much, and everything worked out.

I don’t need to worry that my office roommate or secretary will jump on him, that I will stop having sex with him, that he will get tired of everything when we have two children and he will find himself a new woman. All this nightmare will not be. It just isn't possible here. Nobody from the family will understand him, he will become an outcast, a rare man will decide on this. And the mentality is different, they do not think about this :-) You should take this into account if you are thinking of marrying an Indian?

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, nevertheless, if you do not know Hindi well and do not have a job, it is better not to risk it. You will sit at home all day, do not rely on the Internet, it also does not work everywhere and not always here, and good speed means 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 give you a short answer and they will continue to speak in Hindi, which you do not understand.

Friends from Russia will forget you quickly. No, they will wish you happy birthday, write to 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 state institutions, increasing taxes, and now also 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 yours. And you will feel it all the time.

In the zoo, you will be photographed as if you are an exhibit, in the park you will not rest, because you again become the main attraction, and at home you will be spoken to in a language that you do not understand. By the way, my husband and I speak English, but I really want to be told: "Good morning" in the morning, and in Russian in the evening "Good night" ...

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 is not a big deal to you. But I am addressing my article to Russian women who are thinking about moving to India. They need to know this information in order to make such a weighty decision in their lives.

Elizaveta, specially for intdate.ru

Stories about Krasnoyarsk people who decided to drastically change their lives - to leave for another country, find work and housing there. If 20 years ago 5% of the population of Russia thought about emigration, then in the spring of 2013 already 13% according to VTsIOM (and if you believe the Levada Center, then that's all 22%) ... Students and entrepreneurs (almost every second), as well as employees (every third) dream more than others.

Many people in Krasnoyarsk know them. Here they have relatives and friends. But they chose to leave. Natalia Durbanova. Krasnoyarsk - Peter - Kuala Lumpur - Mumbai. Online answers to 10 questions.

Do I need to prepare for the move? Or is an impulsive decision the only way to leave with a 100% probability?

You need to prepare - try to acquire the maximum number of skills that will be useful to you in the future. Universal skills - profession, knowledge of the language (English is a must, one more is better), even a driver's license. In a word, everything that you can study and master at home, so that after the move you do not waste time, effort and money on it.

How was it in your case?

I have never set myself the goal of moving abroad. Firstly, I have not emigrated, but have been working abroad, just for the sixth year and the third country in a row. Secondly, initially the idea was to work, acquire life and professional experience in another country. In 2003 I graduated from the Faculty of Economics of KSU with a degree in World Economy (IEE). The head of the department suggested trying to enter a magistracy in St. Petersburg. The decision had to be made in half a day. I tried and did. After a master's degree and three years of work in St. Petersburg at PricewaterhouseCoopers (one of the four largest audit companies in the world), she unexpectedly received a job offer in Malaysia, in the regional office of a large Australian company. I had 2 days to think about it, I decided. After three years of work in Malaysia, I went to Mumbai as a tourist and realized that India would be my next country. In terms of professional experience, Peter and Kuala Lumpur gave me enough, it was time for personal growth. In all my moves, I made a decision quickly, maybe because every time I thought that it was only for a year or two or three, and I would be back. As a result, I move on every time :)

Moving abroad in your case is going there? Or leave here?

It would be more correct to say - go there. No, I never left "from here", I always felt good where I lived. I felt good in Krasnoyarsk, I love Peter in my own way, I really liked and like Kuala Lumpur. Just while there is a possibility, why not use it.

In July I was on vacation in Krasnoyarsk, and I thought, “How lucky I am! I was born in the best city in the world! Fair! - we have big roads, clean streets, no crowds of people, nature, snow, a lot of culture - there are, so many things ... ". But in order to appreciate this, it was necessary to travel half the world :)

Why this particular country?

There are two main reasons.

1. Professional. I am an economist by education, I worked as an auditor, an accountant, in Malaysia I set up an outsourcing department. India is an IT country, and I decided that if I look for a job here, then it makes sense only in the field of high technologies. Now I work for an online payment processing company, something like Paypal, but only in a special niche - a high-risk business. This area requires a good technology platform, quite complex from a programmer's point of view, so the owner and technical team are Indian, but foreigners are hired to work with clients. The difference in Indian and European mentality is strong. I speak with Europeans in a language they understand, my boss, with the peculiarities of written etiquette, does not complicate his life. So communication with european banks and foreigners like me have to deal with the preparation of business letters and offers. In addition, the Indians have a very flexible attitude to time, respectively, the timing is a very extensible concept :), while the Indian conventionally has 55 reincarnations, and the European has only one. I understand that if a client from England writes that it should be done today, it should be done today! Not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Nevertheless, the whole world is working with India today, and the Indian mentality must be learned to understand.
2. Personal reason.At different stages of life, you set tasks of different complexity. India is a difficult, multifaceted and multi-layered country, but very interesting. Even if you take 6 months leave between jobs and drive from north to south, you won't understand India. Many things in India seem to Europeans at least - incomprehensible, at the most - absurd. But in India there is logic in everything, we just don't know it! That's why I came for a long time, to at least partially understand.

What are the biggest differences between Russia and your new country?

- Living standards, contrast.

In Russia, the average standard of living is much higher. India is a land of contrasts.

There are people so poor that we never dreamed of living 10 people in one room all their lives, and having a cup of rice on the table twice a day. But there are also such rich that our Abramovichs never dreamed of. In Mumbai there is a house - the most in the world, worth about 1 billion, 27 floors, its own "" and a helipad - a family of 5 (five!) People lives in the house. (The house, by the way, is not only the most expensive, but also one of the ugliest in the city :))

The middle class is far from the majority, and the poor are much more numerous.

What amazed me when I just arrived in India is that this gap between different strata of the population does not lead to a social explosion and revolutions, as in the 20th century in Russia, say. The reason for this is the caste system. We have those who are “below” - dissatisfied with their position. An Indian who was born in a low caste and has worked all his life as a servant does not even have a thought that fate could prepare him for something else. Of course, even in the low caste there is a chance to get an education, there are state quotas in universities for low castes, but these are few.

- The presence of home helpers.

In India, almost everyone has a domestic servant. Here, every middle-income family usually has housekeepers, either living with them or coming. A housekeeper can live and sleep in the kitchen all her life, and this is in the order of things. Plus a washerwoman comes to them ( washing machines few people have it, everyone was very surprised why I needed it, because it can be for $ 15 ( ~ 600 rubles) give everything to a specially trained person a month, he will also iron the linen), a toilet washer, a driver, a car washer, a milkman, a florist (as we subscribe to a newspaper - in India you can subscribe to the delivery of flowers for worship) and so on. And it's not even a matter of prestige - it's just a matter of course. By law, all these people, of course, do not belong to anyone, but in fact they are very dependent on their masters. The service staff receives, on average, from 1 to 5 thousand rubles for our money. The population of India is 1 billion 200 million people, and all these people need work, and that's the point. The upper and middle strata of the population believe that the more servants are hired, the more a good deed is done - otherwise all these people would live in the countryside, in much worse conditions.

- Relationship to personal space.

If in Russia this is generally normal, in a kilometer-long personal space - “mind your own business” is highly valued there, then in India there is no personal space at all. Maria Arbatova wrote correctly - Indians perceive the whole world as one big family. And when one of the members of this big family does something wrong, he is patiently instructed and guided. My Hindi teacher came to me three times a week and in the process of learning was interested in literally everything - every event in my life, checked all my photos on Facebook, read any comments (she diligently translated Russian-language ones!). I was just shocked by such “care”. Another stunning example - once I met a young man, we started dating, in general, from a romantic haze in my head, the work was started. Two weeks later, my boss finally summons him and, not at all embarrassed, lays out all the ins and outs about my fan - the name, where he lives, what car he drives, from which family, that is, literally opens his dossier in front of me. This was the first and only time in my life in India when I wanted to take a ticket for the next flight and leave. For the boss, it was an expression of genuine concern. It was such a touching fatherly approach to solving, in fact, a work problem, and it is very indicative for India.

- Attitude towards family values.

India is a country with a very low divorce rate. And if the family has children - it is almost unrealistic. The tradition of arranged marriage is very strong here - marriages are not calculated, but rather by agreement. They are now about 70%, and in the villages and all 99%. Marriage becomes a kind of deal for families joining together on a caste basis. In the event of a divorce, you are cut off from your family and society, this is the worst that can happen in the life of an Indian. Therefore, the attitude towards marriage is very, very serious. And if castes are practically not taken into account when hiring now (and 10 years ago it was much easier for a brahmin, a representative of the highest caste of priests, to get a job), then when choosing a partner, this is a fundamental factor. They look at love marriages here with suspicion - it's not very reliable, love-carrots are different. And this has its own logic, like everything in India. People get married with the understanding that this is forever, and there is no other option and there will not be, so you need to build a relationship with whoever you have.

Do you feel like a stranger in a new country?

I feel myself as a stranger and at the same time.

My own - I wear Indian clothes even in the office (by the way, this is much more convenient, you don't have to suffer in heels :)), I speak Hindi at the everyday level. Hindi is harder than English, but easier than Japanese or Chinese. Some complex sounds (there are three “t” sounds), the logic of constructing a sentence is slightly different - we have prepositions, they have postpositions (“I am from Russia, I live in Mumbai”), and so on. As one friend of mine said, living in a foreign country and not speaking its language, you seem to be looking at the world through a muddy glass - you can live, but the quality of life is different. All vocational education above grade 10 in India is conducted in English, and educated Indians speak English well, but Hindi is, of course, necessary in everyday life. In Hindi, I mostly bargain, swear, and touchingly talk about my mom, dad and brother. At work, only English.

Alien, in a good way - all the same, the attitude towards a European-looking person in India is different, more privileged, I would say. Indians have a very positive attitude towards Russians since Soviet times.

Is it difficult to find a job / housing?

Accommodation in Mumbai is the most expensive in India. This is the most big city country, 20 million people live here. It stands on a group of islands that were artificially covered and began to build a city. Now this is such a peninsula and the city has nowhere to grow, it goes into the sea. In Delhi, for example, about 13 million people live, but it is 7 times larger in area - there are wide avenues, huge streets, practically Moscow. In Mumbai, everyone lives very densely, skyscrapers and right there, in general, real estate here is expensive. Prices are something in between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the highest by the standards of India.

What do we know about India? In the imagination of most people, it seems to be a fabulous, romantic and mysterious country. But what is real life in India? How strong is its economy? What size is it in India today?

Geographical location and general information about the country

(this is the official name of the country) - a large state in South India with a rich history and culture. It is the homeland of the most ancient Indian civilization, which has achieved significant success in art, urban planning and agriculture.

Modern India occupies the entire Indian subcontinent, in the north it extends to the Himalayan mountains, and in the south it has a wide outlet to the ocean. On the western side, it is washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, and on the southeast, by the Bay of Bengal. The total length of India's coastline reaches 7,500 kilometers.

Today, India is home to 1.34 billion people (2017). In terms of population, it ranks second in the world, second only to China. Although, according to scientists' forecasts, by the middle of the 21st century, India may overtake China in the "demographic race" and take a solid first position.

What is India producing? The country's economy and its structure

India is among the strongest and fastest growing economies in Asia. The country has the fourth largest GDP in the world ($ 4.7 trillion). However, per capita incomes are small at $ 2,700 per year. According to this indicator, the country occupies only 118th place in the world.

India's GDP structure is as follows:

• 18% - industry.
• 28% - agricultural sector.
• 54% - the service sector.

The main industries of the Indian economy are automotive, electronics, mining, oil, chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries. The country is the largest supplier to the world market of mica, bauxite, various equipment, textiles, agricultural raw materials, and software and medicines.

The country's economy consumes a huge amount of energy resources (in particular, oil and coal). Agriculture in India is extensive. Rice, tea, wheat, cotton, jute, and sugar cane are grown here. Among other things, India is a significant donor of investments. Most of Indian funds are invested in the economies of Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands and the United States.

Currency and average salary in India

The monetary unit in India is the rupee. Fractional coin - paise. Rupee to dollar rate: 68: 1 (as of May 2018). That is, one American dollar can buy 68 For 100 Russian rubles, you can get about 110 rupees.

India's currency is represented in coins and banknotes. The smallest bill in the country is 5 rupees, and the largest is 2,000. The exchange rate of the rupee to the dollar, euro or ruble is constantly changing, so it is recommended to use online currency calculators.

The average salary in India according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) for 2017 is $ 223 per month. According to this indicator, the country occupies a disappointing 121st place in the world. The size of the monthly minimum salary in the state is equal to 4000 rupees ($ 60) for rural areas and 5500 rupees ($ 82) for urban areas. It should be noted that the average wage in India has significant regional differentiation. Thus, the ranking of cities with the highest earnings includes Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and Kolkata.

Living standards in the country: main indicators

In the ranking of countries according to the Human Development Index (HDI), India is in 131st place, between Bhutan and Honduras. Overall, India is a country of striking contrasts, where the stratification of society is noticeable.

In one city, the poorest slums can coexist with fashionable hotels, boutiques, and expensive restaurants. Some Indians live in terrible conditions, eating mainly rice and vegetables. At the same time, other segments of the population can afford to have permanent servants of housekeepers, gardeners and cooks. A list of the following statistical facts will help you better understand the standard of living in India:

• One third of the country's population is illiterate (cannot read and write).
• 90% of Indian cities have no sewerage system.
• Only half of India's cities have access to clean tap water.
• About 300 million people in the country are denied access to electricity grids.
• Only 20 major cities in India have municipal public transport.
• Almost a quarter of India's population lives below the poverty line (on less than two dollars a day).

"No force can stop our country on the way to progress!" - these words were uttered by the Prime Minister of India quite recently. Indeed, snake India is now among the world leaders in the field of IT-technology. Light industry and high-precision manufacturing are developing at a rapid pace. However, whether all this will affect the well-being of Indians - time will tell.

Let's also find out how things are in India with medicine, education and beautification.

The medicine

According to numerous reviews of our compatriots who have moved to distant India for one reason or another, the situation with medicine there is far from ideal. The services of doctors in this country are either very expensive or cheap, but extremely poor quality. However, in recent years, India has become one of the centers of "medical tourism". This is due to the presence of a fairly large number of professional English-speaking doctors.

A large percentage of private and public clinics are equipped with the latest technology and are staffed by real professionals. By the way, many of them studied abroad (including in post-Soviet countries). However, treatment in such clinics is available only to 10% of the Indian population.

Education

At this stage, the state is trying to provide school education for absolutely all of its residents, including those who live in slums and villages. But many families living in poverty and poverty prefer to send their children not to school, but to work from an early age. Child labor is a serious problem in India today.

Today, there are about 500 universities in the country. Especially popular technical specialties... Most universities are taught in English. The cost of one year of study at an Indian university is about 15 thousand dollars. However, a person with a higher education has a good chance of finding a decent and well-paid job in his country.

Transport and improvement

Within the country, it is possible to travel by various means of transport: from traditional trains and buses to very exotic bicycle and auto rickshaws. The most developed is railway transport. The entire territory of India (with the exception of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir) is covered with a dense network railways... In recent years, air traffic between major Indian cities has been actively developing.

The improvement of public spaces in India is in an extremely deplorable state. In many settlements, in fact, there are no recreational areas at all. Streets are rarely equipped with sidewalks, parks and squares are very few. Some Indian hotels offer a unique service - the so-called "day pass". At this time, you can stay in the well-groomed territory of the hotel and use a certain list of amenities.

In India, there is a rather acute problem with sanitary cleaning. Dirt and debris on city streets is a common sight in this country.

Prices for products and services

In India, prices for local vegetables and fruits are very low. They are delicious as they are always fresh and available all year round. Dairy products are more expensive (a liter of good milk costs about 80 rupees), and cheeses are very difficult to find in local stores. The choice of meat is also very limited. For more details on food prices, see the next video.

Communication and Internet services, as well as travel, are quite cheap. Clothes and shoes are also inexpensive. The prices for household appliances are roughly comparable to those in Russia.

Finally…

Summarizing all of the above: is it worth thinking about emigration to this country? If you look for a job here, then only in the field of high technologies. A temporary part-time job in the tourism sector is possible. As for blue-collar jobs, wages in India are extremely low in dollars. It is important to note that it is rather difficult for a foreigner to find a job here. To obtain a work visa to India, you must conclude a contract with a local employer. At the same time, the monthly salary should not be less than 2100 US dollars.

India attracts with non-standard beauty, openness, friendliness of its inhabitants. Whichever side of life you take, everywhere modernity coexists with traditionalism, which is often surprising. Maybe that's why people evaluate life in India differently.

India is a land of contrasts

The multinationality of the country, the abundance of languages \u200b\u200band religions are striking. The "diversity" of the population is explained by the centuries-old mixing of nationalities due to migration processes.

Those who have lived in India for a long time are not surprised by the local flavor, slums next to palaces. For beginners, it is difficult at first to take for granted a lot of cows and dogs on city streets, chaos on the roads, dirt, a variety of smells, constant hum. And the fact that the standard of living of Indians is very different. There are a lot of millionaires here, but a lot more beggars.

It is not easy to answer the question: "Is India rich or poor?" Some sources write that a third of all poor people live in this particular state. Moreover, poverty is not considered a vice here. “It is written in the family” is the main law of karma. Social inequality is sky-high: there is an insurmountable gap between the richest and the poorest.

Ecology

Serious environmental problems harm the country and threaten the state of the world as a whole. Among the main ones are deforestation, soil depletion, air and water pollution. There is a lot of precipitation, but the water evaporates quickly, and the remaining pollution makes it inaccessible to a large number of the population. Smog in cities is a consequence of oversaturation with transport, the operation of old cars, the use of low-quality gasoline.

The ecological disadvantage is also influenced by the fact that India is a country where residents do not care about cleanliness. environment even at the household level: garbage is thrown right over the threshold of dwellings, even in prosperous neighborhoods.

But man does not harm the flora and fauna - the mentality and beliefs are not the same. There are many reserves, numerous projects are being implemented to protect forests, coral reefs, etc.

It is impossible to give an unequivocal answer to the question of how people live in India, as life depends on wealth. Wealthy city dwellers have apartments or houses, cars and even servants. But there are many more families who are barely making ends meet.

Life in India is absolutely unsettled. People are indifferent to comfort and convenience. Most apartments lack not only hot water supply, but also toilets.

clothing

The most popular women's outfit is the sari - a piece of fabric that envelops a woman from head to toe. Shalwar kameez is no less fond of - tight ankle trousers and a tunic. Shiny numerous decorations are at a premium.

Men (especially in rural areas) also wear cotton linen with a shirt on top. But there are also button-down jackets - shervanis, sometimes in length reminiscent of coats. The traditional headdress is a turban, the shape of which depends on the locality, faith, interest.

Considering that India is a conservative country, travelers should dress modestly. It is best to wear loose, hiding clothes made of light natural fabrics.

Food prices

Cheapness somewhat brightens up the life of ordinary people in India. 100 rupees at the beginning of April 2020 corresponded to 88 rubles. Compare. The cost in the markets for vegetables is up to 20 rupees, fruits - from 25 to 100 (mangosteen), fish - 200-250, lobsters - 1200. In stores, chicken can be bought for 100, beef - for 220, a dozen eggs - for 50, milk - for 40 rupees. Food prices in India in 2020 are surprising.

Features of Indian cuisine

For Hindus, food and everything that is connected with its preparation has a sacred meaning associated with the life of the family.

There are many national features. For example, an excessive love of spicy and spicy dishes. Europeans are not ready for this. Unexpected product combinations are also honored. Fried bananas paired with cucumbers and chili is not the most amazing neighborhood on a plate.

The predominant food is rice, peas, vegetables, cheese, flat cakes. From meat they prefer lamb, goat meat, poultry. Because of beliefs, beef and pork are generally not consumed. Desserts are varied and tasty using milk, nuts, rice, honey, fruits, spices.

It is important for travelers to remember simple rules:

• wash your hands more often;
• drink only bottled water;
• taste national dishes with care, order them without local spices;
• do not neglect fennel, which can be found in any catering establishment and will help to avoid stomach problems.

Families are large, several generations live in the same house. It is allowed to marry only a representative of one's own caste and religion, by agreement of the parents of the young man and the girl. There are usually many children. There are practically no divorces. The head of the family is an older man, he solves all the problems of the household, he is given the earned money.

Many are interested in how women live in India? Also in different ways. For the poor, already in the womb, the girl becomes unwanted, and they try to get rid of her. If born, they can unobtrusively contribute to leaving for another world. All because the girl will have to be married off. And for this to pay a kind of kalym. This means that you have to strain your whole life to save up the required amount. She will not have the right to vote even when she becomes a wife. You have to work a lot, unless, of course, she is married to a very wealthy person. This one does not work anywhere, she has a lot of beautiful clothes and jewelry, she is not offended, especially if she gives birth to sons. But she is not reckoned with in the same way as the poor man.

Violence and discrimination affect women of Indian origin to a greater extent, foreign women feel more free. Russian wives speak good or bad about the country and their life in it, depending on whether they got married successfully. If a man is independent and decided to live outside the clan, or if the parents' family is educated and not poor and approved of the son's choice, then life, one might say, is a success. There will be inconveniences associated with the climate, food, utilities, but in general, everything is not very different from the existence of an average Russian family.

Housing cost

Real estate in India attracts investors with its affordability. Housing is purchased mainly in large cities and resort areas, where it can be profitably rented. Non-residential premises are also bought - for trade or production.

The cost of a small apartment in Goa is about 10 thousand dollars. Far from the coastal zone, you can buy a spacious apartment with a good repair for 60 thousand dollars. In the largest cities, the price of 1 sq. m of housing - at least $ 950, and often reaches 20 thousand.

You can buy a hut in the countryside. Only the quality of housing is not high and there are no amenities. In addition, you will have to be all the time where the Indians live around. Not everyone likes it.

The purchased property must be declared and tax paid on it in a timely manner, the amount of which each state approves independently.

Where do they work

The national unemployment rate is off scale. In this situation, find a job for an immigrant from Russia, even good specialist, problematic. Opportunities can be assessed in the article "Working in India".

The authorities identify and expel the illegal labor force from the country.

Salaries

The average salary of Indians is significantly lower than in other countries. Based on per capita income, an average worker should earn approximately $ 2,700 per year. But a third of the total cash flow goes to highly paid workers, of whom no more than 10%.

The minimum wage for a village is 4,000 rupees ($ 60); more than half of all workers receive it. This is practically a living wage. The average hourly can be as little as 30-60 cents. Employees of private companies receive more ($ 120), and less - state employees ($ 75). The level of salaries differs by industry.

In order for an immigrant to get a work visa, he must find a job for which they will pay over $ 2 thousand a month. This is possible if you manage to get a job in a foreign company, for example, in the IT field. They pay based on European values.

Education system in India

The level of general education in the country is low, and there are many illiterate people. But the education system in 2020 includes all the traditional stages: preschool, school, professional, higher and postgraduate.

State and non-state education. The second is intended for both children and adolescents and adults. A 40-year-old schoolboy is not uncommon.

Kindergartens - preparatory groups schools, acquaintance with english language, compulsory for studying at school, where children come from 4 years old. The first 10 years study for free and according to a single program, then students are divided into those who will master the profession and those who will continue their studies.

The secondary private school is paid, but available to the average family.

Higher education is represented by more than two hundred universities, mainly focused on European standards. Depending on the period of study and the future profession, students receive bachelor's, master's, doctor's degrees.

For foreigners, admission to local universities gives the right to obtain a residence permit. Diligent study leads to strong knowledge and guarantees decent employment in the country. Therefore, studying in India is popular among those who would like to stay in the country for a long time.

Education in India is no worse than in Europe, America and China. Well-trained specialists are graduated from universities. Russians have the opportunity to study for free, count on a hostel and a scholarship. The main condition is excellent knowledge of English.

Medicine level

There is no free medicine in India. There are many private clinics with a narrow specialization. Their services are cheaper than public health centers - most of them well-equipped, with highly trained doctors receiving good salaries. Well-off local residents and foreigners use their services. The so-called medical tourism is the most developed here. This is facilitated by the low cost of services compared to the United States and Israel, for example. As well as adherence to the traditional methods of treatment set out in Ayurveda and having many followers around the world, which is used commercially.

For most local residents, quality healthcare is not available. Hospitals in remote areas serve patients in unsuitable premises, often without electricity, water, or medicine. In theory, help is free, in fact, they charge a fee for admission, focusing on the patient's income.

Childbirth often takes place at home, under the supervision of a midwife or mother-in-law. If in the clinic, then, as a rule, a cesarean section is offered. Natural childbirth must be negotiated additionally. The statistics are relentless: India's maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world.

Tourists need to purchase health insurance, which includes the basic insurance option and, if desired, various options.

Russians in India

There are no more than a thousand Russians with Indian citizenship and permanent residence, mostly they settled in Delhi. But unofficially, there are many more. It is believed that Russians go to India for spirituality, the search for the meaning of life, and improvement in yoga. There are also many businessmen, but most of the "Russian Indians" are the wives of local men. To understand how Russians live in India, you need to communicate with them. The country is exotic, natural, specific living conditions and presents a serious test for Europeans.

The attitude of indigenous people towards Russian immigrants

The close cooperation between India and the former USSR has influenced the way Russians are viewed today. The memories are pleasant, but they are at once darkened when immigrants behave inappropriately, not recognizing the traditions, beliefs, and customs of local residents. For example, ardent Hindus and Muslims treat Christians badly. There are isolated cases of Russophobia. All immigrants from the former Soviet Union are called "Russians" here.

Where live

It is easier to meet Russians in large cities and resort areas. In Mumbai, housing is the most expensive, but the city is considered safe to live. And it is easier to find work than, for example, in Delhi, where life is more comfortable and a little cheaper, but unemployment and crime are high. Bangalore is attractive due to its modern infrastructure, affordable housing prices, especially rented ones. But the most popular of all is the state of Goa, where immigrants mainly seek.

Features of life in Goa

India through the eyes of the Russians is for the most part "Goa through the eyes of the Russians." A resort is a resort. The local settlers are happy with life and are not going to leave here. Children are sent to English schools, then they pay for tuition in good universities. The travel business generates a decent income. Compatriots are served not according to local, but European tariffs. There are many Russian restaurants and shops, they need a labor force, the owners prefer to take “their own”. Someone lives on odd jobs. Those who know English have a chance to get a job as a salesman or a tour guide. Masseurs, dancers, animators are in demand.

True, foreigners are limited in their rights. But the Russian consulate, if necessary, helps to restore justice.

Lifestyle comparison in India and Russia

The pros and cons of Russians living in an ancient, distinctive country can be compared to Russia.

	Russia	India
Life level	37th place in the world	104 place in the world
Culture	Needs improvement	Completely absent, public chaos
	Accessible to the majority of the population	Most of the population is not available
People	People are sociable and friendly for the most part	Closed and uncommunicative with foreigners
Society	Not indifferent to what is happening, people strive to improve the state of affairs	Indifference to everything. Satisfied with the life that is.
Communication	In Russian or any other language	Exclusively in English or Hindi
Education	A constant desire to learn new things, improve	Poor education of the population, inability for the bulk of residents to study

India is an extremely interesting, colorful, attractive country for tourists. Few think about permanent residence. But if spiritually attracts here, it will provide an opportunity for self-improvement.