Travelers: India. A Russian woman took the risk of moving to India and now talks about her new life What kind of people live in India

25.08.2021

62 year old Irina Alexandrovna from Magnitogorsk says in India to a waiter in Hindi with displeasure: “Be careful. Why did you bring naan cakes with cheese unbaked? I'm not your tourist!" The waiter turns pale, mumbles something and disappears. “It’s the only way with them,” Irina says sternly. “Otherwise, they will definitely deceive you.”

She says that she moved to India immediately after graduation: “I was 25, in my last year I jumped out to marry Raj. He is 10 years older, looked after beautifully, and I was a girl not spoiled by attention. Such love flared up, passion - all the friends were envious.

The wedding was played in two countries in turn - both in the USSR and in India. Irina admits that at first she was shocked by the country. “I thought it was like in a movie. Well, princesses are beautiful, temples, palaces, elephants, coconut trees, dancing on every corner. And on the first day, a snake crawled into my bedroom - I squealed so much, I woke up the whole house. Raj calmly crushed her with his foot, saying, well, nothing, it happens. Mud on the streets of the mountain, beggars crawling in scabs, torrential rains for 3 months in a row ... Romance has diminished. I wanted terribly smoked brisket and doctor's sausage, they just dreamed about it, but you can't buy it anywhere. I'm tired of fighting cockroaches, nothing can poison them: they are healthy, the size of a finger. Raj kept laughing: with our cockroaches, they say, it is not necessary to fight, but to be friends. But Raj loved me madly, and I loved him, and this is the most important thing.

Five years ago, Irina Alexandrovna's husband died, but she no longer wants to return to Russia. “There is no point. I chat in Hindi, wear a sari, go to the market with my local girlfriends to buy chili peppers for green beans in curry. I watch Indian serials how good conquers evil, and the poor with beautiful souls are better than the disgusting rich. I like it here, in general."

Photo: / George Zotov

mother-in-law and white horse

I was not told the exact number of women from the Russian Federation living in India, but their approximate number is estimated at several tens of thousands: from 30,000 to 70,000. Basically, these are our girls who married Indians during the period of great friendship between the USSR and India in the sixties and eighties years of the 20th century, when many Indian students studied in the Soviet Union, and all Soviet ladies burst into cinemas to watch "Disco Dancer". India seemed to be a mystical and alluring "abroad". Those who arrived after the nineties did not particularly develop with the exotic.

“The climate is terrible, the heat is sticky,” complains the 28-year-old Victoria from Krasnodar, who settled in Kerala with her Tamil husband in 2012. - Always keep the air conditioner on - electricity bills will come in space: so sit by the fan, which drives hot air. The sun burns the skin: I thought I would become dark-skinned to the envy of everyone, but constantly under the cream. There is nothing to do at all. In India, it is not customary for wives to work: even the poorest husbands have their women at home. At first I said that I wanted to become a tourist guide, my mother-in-law scolded me: are you out of your mind? What will the neighbors say about my son if his wife goes to work? And mothers-in-law in India have more authority than in Russia, they do not dare to object to them. We had a great wedding: we celebrated for three days, music, dancing, tons of flowers, the groom came for me on a white horse. The main thing in marriage in India is children, they give birth to a lot, but I was not ready for this. I thought: well, after thirty years we’ll start ... Scandals began every day: “Why don’t you want to? The purpose of a woman in the world is a child! ”And they are definitely waiting for a boy to give birth:“ the weaker sex ”is not in price. Such cases are not uncommon: if a wife finds out on an ultrasound scan that she is pregnant with a girl, she has an abortion on family recommendation. We were not officially divorced, although I returned to Krasnodar. I fly to India only for the winter, then it’s good here, you can even swim in the sea. The husband sighs, of course, but doesn't mind. He loves me."

god with tail and banana

The main "scarecrow" for our women in India is animals and insects. “God, how tired of monkeys I am! - angry Marina, a former resident of Veliky Ustyug. - Brazen as hell, they can pull an earring out of your ear, buy a bag of nuts on the street to eat - they will jump on your shoulder, snatch it right out of your hands. So I would have hit the monkey with an umbrella: they are dangerous, they infect all sorts of diseases. But you can't, the monkey is a sacred animal. The Indians swear at them, they can brandish a stick, but never to hit them. Like, they are divine. Damn, what kind of god can be with a tail and a banana ?!

“My constant life partner in India is dichlorvos,” says Aleksandra, a 35-year-old Khabarovsk resident who has lived in Trivandrum for 10 years. - Ants hesitated, spiders, some midges: they bite, then you will itch for a month. Mosquitoes carry dengue fever and malaria. At first, she didn’t leave the house without being splashed with repellents, then she waved her hand ... Well, why, not everyone gets sick in a row. You have to be careful, but don't panic."

But with elephants, everyone has excellent relations.

“My neighbor keeps three elephants,” Alexandra says. - Funny, such a colossus, but calm, like a cow. And when an elephant with a driver walks through the city, he obediently stops at a red light: already accustomed. Many of our ladies have a hard time with Indian food. Irina Alexandrovna, who dreamed of a doctor's sausage, explains: her late husband was a vegetarian, and she had to "reformat" herself.

Photo: / George Zotov

“When he was courting me, I didn’t pay attention: well, he eats only salads, and okay, who doesn’t like cucumbers and tomatoes. And after they came to India, it turned out that they don’t eat meat and chicken in the family. Some nightmare! Then I got involved, now I don’t use meat of my own free will: somehow it’s easier to feel, calmer. Fruits, vegetables, milk, paneer cheese - that's it. The first year of my life together, I tried to accustom my husband to Russian food. I mix Olivier - he doesn’t eat, damn it, even vegetarian. But you can’t make a herring under a fur coat, there are no such products. There are girls who haven’t been used to Indian food even for thirty years: they go to the store at the Russian embassy in Delhi, where our products are exorbitantly expensive: they grit their teeth, the poor, but they buy.

"Fool, ruined karma"

“If you like being a housewife, you live like Christ in your bosom,” says the 57-year-old Ludmila, who moved to India in 1984 from Saratov. - Just keep an eye on the house, and you are showered with gifts, cherished, cherished, carried in your arms. She gave birth to her first child - the father-in-law and mother-in-law gave gold, bracelets, rings, earrings did not know what to do with. They love children; Don't drink: Most Indians rarely drink alcohol, it's not in their culture. If someone comes home drunk, they gather advice from relatives and scold him: the fool, they say, spoiled his karma. Morals are strict: if I put on European clothes, so that the dress is necessarily below the knee, this is not Goa, where everyone goes half-naked. I love the Indian sari. A healthy thing: size does not matter, I bought matter, wrapped myself up and went to myself. I was bored at first, of course, did not know what to do. You always stick around at home, if you go out for a walk alone - it’s not accepted, you must definitely be together either with your sister or with your husband’s mother. I used to think that in India, whole crowds dance on the sidewalks, like in a movie. Oh, I was wrong."

It is surprising that girls from the regions of Russia, having arrived in India, speak local dialects, wear saris, learn how to cook complex Indian dishes and cope with the heat: although, of course, it was very difficult for them. Here's my word of honor: we don't value our women the way they really deserve it.

From a trip to India, foreigners have conflicting impressions. This country amazes someone with its poverty and devastation, but for someone it becomes the best place to live. Many come to India to restore spiritual strength and discover creative abilities.

Life here has its pros and cons. The disadvantages include:

high taxes;
poor healthcare and infrastructure;
too hot climate;
unusual food;
high unemployment;
low salaries;
high illiteracy rate;
crime;
low social culture.

But life here has its perks. People in India live for themselves and are in no hurry. After noisy cities, immigrants like this measured lifestyle. Compared to Europe and Russia, here are cheap products, high-quality fruits and vegetables. India has ideal conditions for leading a healthy lifestyle and practicing yoga.

General information about the country: state structure, climate, economy, ecology

The Republic of India is located in South Asia and borders by sea and land with China, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives and a number of other states. It is the largest South Asian country.

India is washed by the Indian Ocean, surrounded by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The country lies in four climatic zones: from humid tropical to alpine. It is hot and humid from June to October, and relatively cool from November to February. In different regions in January, the temperature can be about +15 degrees, and in June it rises to +48. From June to October, the temperature throughout the territory is approximately the same everywhere - +28.

The head of state is the president, elected by the people for a five-year term, and the head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power is exercised by the Parliament, which consists of two chambers - the Council of States and the House of the People. The executive power, in addition to the president and prime minister, is exercised by the Council of Ministers.

The Indian economy is the 12th largest in the world, and in terms of GDP growth, it has become one of the fastest growing in recent years. One of the reasons why this began to happen is cheap labor. The common man in India lives in poverty and is willing to work almost for free. This explains the low cost of Indian goods. India grows potatoes, rice, sugarcane, tea, and cotton. Mining is being carried out here, the chemical, textile, oil, food and automotive industries are developing.

The development of industry and a large population negatively affect the ecology not only of India, but of the entire mainland. The main environmental problems of the country today are soil degradation, deforestation, landfills, air and water pollution.

Population: number, nationalities, density, literacy, occupations, culture, mentality

A huge number of people live in India. Today it is the second most populous state in the world after China. More than 1.3 billion people live here. And the population density is 364 people / km². Representatives of different nations and nationalities live here, including Bengalis, Jats, Tamils and others. There are immigrants from neighboring Asian states and Europe. According to reviews, the local population is poorly educated. The average literacy rate is about 65%. The unwillingness to study is explained both by low income and the unwillingness to change something in one's life. The vast majority of the inhabitants of India have been engaged in agriculture for centuries and are not going to leave the village, therefore they do not consider it necessary to receive an education. A smaller part of the population is employed in industry and the tourism business. Many work in clothing factories that are in demand all over the world.

Indian culture is one of the oldest in the world. Many monuments of literature and architecture have been preserved. Thousands of pilgrims come to visit thousand-year-old monasteries and other holy places, touch antiquities and see incendiary Indian dances. It was in India that such religions as Buddhism and Hinduism originated. But today, in addition to their representatives, there are Christians, Muslims and pagans here. Officially, the country is a secular state.

A feature of the local mentality is a respectful attitude towards ancient traditions. Here they wear national clothes, speak Hindi, honor elders and gurus, and still divide society into castes. Hindus do not seek to change their social status and earn more. They are sure that what is happening in a person’s life is determined by higher forces, and he has no power over this. Here it is not customary to rush, and the word "stress" is unknown to Hindus.

Demanded professions and salary

Despite high unemployment, India needs highly qualified specialists in various fields. For many years, the list of the most sought-after professions includes the following:

biotechnologist;
surgeon;
dentist;
anesthetist;
pharmacist;
IT specialist;
civil engineer;
programmer;
mechanical engineer.

Teachers, teachers of higher education, translators, specialists in the field of tourism are also required. Salaries in India are much lower than the European level. The average annual income of a resident of the country is $2,700. But the gap between the salaries of representatives of different professions is very large. In cities, people receive about $83 a month, and in the countryside - no more than $60. The highest paid professions are a programmer, an engineer, an IT specialist, a therapist. The latter receives about $225 per month. In India, the minimum wage is $57.

Search for available vacancies for migrants

Russians attracted to life in India find work in the tourism business. Migrants work as guides, photographers, dancers, masseurs. Instructors in extreme water sports are in demand - diving, rafting, paragliding. To live and work here, a migrant needs to know the language well.

You can work in India only on a work visa. Illegal workers are deported and blacklisted. The punishment also threatens the employer - he can be fined or put in jail.

Benefits for Russian immigrants

India is not the most prosperous country. There is a low standard of living, high unemployment, a huge gap between the rich and the poor, high taxes, bad medicine. And yet this country is of interest to Russian migrants. Settlers are interested in the ancient culture and religion of this country. They like warm weather. During the Russian winter, many freelancers come here.

The lifestyle of Indians and Russians is different:

Features of lifestyle in Russia	Features of lifestyle in India
Insufficiently high level of culture, which has been increasing in recent years	The complete absence of a culture of behavior in society
Basically, a positive attitude towards foreigners. They are almost always ready to help.	Negative attitude towards foreigners. Especially to those who do not speak Hindi
An indifferent attitude to what is happening around. Desire to solve social and environmental problems, fight corruption	Indifference to everything and unwillingness to improve your life
In mixed marriages, they try to communicate in two languages and teach them to each other. A child in such a family speaks two languages	Even in blended families, they only communicate in Hindi or English. Hindu does not want to learn the language of his foreign wife
People strive to get an education and constantly improve the quality of their knowledge.	Low literacy rate. The local population does not have the means and the desire to get an education. The vast majority lack traction

These things need to be taken into account by an immigrant before moving to a new place.

How ordinary people live in India: standard of living

India has low food prices compared to Europe:

A trip by public transport will cost $ 0.3, and a taxi - 2.27. For lunch in a cafe you need to pay $ 2.5-6. A liter of gasoline in India costs $1.12.

Housing prices in different cities differ significantly. In the center of Mumbai 1 sq.m. costs $6850, and $2640 on the outskirts of the city, $3000-1250 in New Delhi, $1400-700 in Kolkata. Indian citizens can take out mortgages at a rate of 9.9%. Only wealthy people can buy their own housing. Many have to rent rooms and apartments. There are many homeless people in the country, because many do not have enough money to pay for rent. The owner of a one-room apartment pays about $20 per month for utilities, $18 for home Internet, and $5 for mobile communications.

The way ordinary people live in India depends on the region of their residence and profession. The highest salaries are for medical workers and programmers in cities, the least for rural residents, but the average annual income of a resident of the country is $ 2,700.

From any income, a resident must pay a tax from 10% to 31.5%: from salaries, profits on deposits, sales of something. The country has social programs to support different segments of the population. Benefits are received by the disabled, the unemployed, widows and other categories of citizens. The size of the pension varies from state to state. On average, the payout is about $3-7. The highest payments are received by pensioners who worked in the public service. Life expectancy in India is almost 69 years. And citizens are erased to work until old age, because the pension of many, as a rule, is below the subsistence minimum - $ 57.

In India, there is free medicine, but the level of services provided is very low, they are used only by the poorest citizens of the country. Quality medical care in the country can be obtained only for money. In the photo, paid Indian clinics look like five-star hotels, but only wealthy people can afford treatment in them. The initial appointment with a therapist will cost 500-1500 rubles. Many pharmaceutical factories are located in India, so medicines here are tens and hundreds of times cheaper than in Russia.

The country's government is trying to fight illiteracy, but so far without success. Citizens of the country can get free school education, but many parents try to enroll their children in private schools. The system of higher education is well developed here. There are 220 universities and more than 10,000 colleges in the country. Education in universities is paid. A year of study costs $15,000. Budget places are allocated, but they are few. Upon graduation, a student can receive a master's, bachelor's or doctoral degree.

India is a very unsafe country. Theft and various types of fraud are common here. Looting and rape often occur. Tourists are advised not to visit dangerous areas, keep all valuables in the hotel only in a safe, and keep your bag firmly on the streets.

Standard of living by cities and regions

How people live in India varies by city and state. The highest wealth among residents of large cities. So, the average salary per year in Mumbai is $ 829, in New Delhi - $ 612, in Kochi - $ 532, in Calcutta - $ 503, in Panaji - $ 365. The most expensive purchase of an apartment or house will cost in Mumbai and New Delhi, and cheaper - in Jaipur.

The southwestern regions of the country are considered the most developed and richest. The standard of living in the central and northern parts of the country is lower. The most prosperous state is Chandigarh, and the most disadvantaged is Bihar.

Temples of India and their inhabitants

Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to India for one thing - to visit its legendary ancient temples. It is said that there are about a million of them in the country.

The most famous of them is the Shiva Temple at Baijanath. It was built in the 13th century. It is here that the largest image of Shiva is located. Another legendary building is the Golden Temple on the banks of the Ganges. Every Buddhist should visit this temple and then bathe in the sacred river. You should definitely visit the Temple of Love, the Temple of Brajeshwari Devi and the Lotus Temple. An unusual place is the Temple of the Rats in the village of Deshnyuk. It is inhabited by rodents, which are considered sacred animals here. Also, monkeys, snakes and other exotic animals live in some local temples.

Russian communities: where they live and how

According to statistics, no more than 1,000 Russian immigrants officially live in the country. This number includes persons who have obtained Indian citizenship or permanent residence. But according to other sources, this figure is much higher - almost 2 million.

Russians in India mostly live in Delhi. The largest Russian community in the country is located in the Indian capital. The Delhi Association of Russian Compatriots has been functioning here for more than 12 years. Its representatives organize Russian holidays, teach Russian in schools, and even organized classes in Russian ballet.

Visa to India for Russians

To visit India, Russian citizens need a visa, which can be obtained online or at the country's diplomatic mission. The procedure for obtaining a tourist visa is simplified, and foreigners who want to get acquainted with local customs and ancient traditions, visit ancient temples, will not have any problems entering the country.

What visas need to be issued

For foreign citizens to travel to India, visas of the following types are issued:

tourist;
student;
business;
transit;
working.

Student get foreigners who will be trained in Indian universities. Citizens of other states can apply only for paid places. The basis for issuing a visa will be a certificate of tuition fees and a letter confirming admission to the university.

Business visas are obtained by applicants who only plan to open their business in the country. They are also received by those who have already registered an individual entrepreneur and are heading to the country to meet with business partners and develop their business. A work visa is issued only to specialists who have entered into an employment contract with an Indian company and received an official job. Such visas are issued to representatives of professions that are in short supply in India.

Entry permits are also issued for those wishing to study religion or take yoga courses. Tourists receive a visa for three months or six months. The transit visa is valid for 15 days, but you can stay in the state for no more than three days. The validity of student, work and business visas is determined individually. It depends on the duration of the training or the duration of the contract.

Indian visas are single, double and multiple entry. On them you can cross the border one, two or an unlimited number of times, respectively.

Where are the required documents issued?

Russians can obtain entry permits at the consulate in Moscow or St. Petersburg. You can also apply for a visa online, and put a stamp on arrival in the country.

The following documents are required to obtain a visa:

international passport and a copy of its first page;
a copy of the first page and the page with the registration of the civil passport;
questionnaire in two copies;
photograph 3.5x4 cm.

Tourists apply hotel reservation, round-trip air tickets, travel voucher. For a private visit, you need an invitation from relatives. Students also submit a certificate from the university, those wishing to obtain a work visa - documents confirming employment, and entrepreneurs - a certificate of registration of individual entrepreneurs. To obtain all types of visas, except for transit and tourist, you need a certificate from the bank and from the place of work/study.

Terms and cost of registration

Russian citizens receive a visa within four days. But the deadline may change if the consulate needs to additionally request documents or verify information.

For a single entry visa for three months, you need to pay 2750 rubles, a double entry visa for six months costs 6185 rubles. Registration multiple will cost 8250r. Each foreigner must also pay a consular fee - $100.

e-visa

Indian visa can also be obtained online. To do this, the applicant fills out a questionnaire on the embassy website, submits documents and pays the state duty. His application is considered within three days, and if everything is in order with the documents, confirmation is sent by e-mail. It must be printed and presented at the airport upon arrival.

So far, such a visa is issued only to tourists, but in the future, students and entrepreneurs will be able to receive it. An electronic visa is issued for a month no more than twice a year.

Possible reasons for refusal

An entry permit may be refused if the applicant provides an incomplete package of documents, or they contain false information, or if he has previously been denied a visa.

An unemployed person or a young unmarried woman can be denied a visa. In this case, applicants may be suspected of intending to emigrate illegally. Do not issue a visa to those who have unpaid fines and taxes. The personal factor cannot be ruled out. If the candidate arouses suspicion or personal dislike among the visa officer, he will be denied permission.

Registration of a residence permit

Foreigners who come to India to do business can get a residence permit. But it is not enough just to open a company, it is necessary to create jobs for Indians and pay taxes. The greater the number of jobs for local residents, the greater the likelihood of obtaining a residence permit.

Residence permits are obtained by foreigners who have entered an Indian university and specialists who are officially employed. For those who want to immigrate to India permanently, it is better to first enter a university and try to find a job in your specialty during your studies. But you need to understand that in this poor, overpopulated country, finding a job is almost impossible. Representatives of rare professions are needed here: doctors, translators, engineers.

Another way to get a residence permit is to marry or marry an Indian citizen. But to get legal status, you need to prove the sincerity of the relationship. If a couple is suspected of having a fictitious marriage, the foreigner will be deported from the country.

Obtaining permanent residence and citizenship

A temporary residence permit is issued for a year, but it can be extended an unlimited number of times. After some time, a foreigner can apply for permanent residence - the validity period is from five to ten years.

Ten years after the move, he can apply for citizenship. To become an Indian citizen, the applicant must

good knowledge of Hindi and English;
within the last year not to leave the country;
not have problems with the law;
have a permanent job.

The applicant takes the official Hindi exam. It not only shows knowledge of the language, but also answers questions about religion and the history of the country. Due to the bureaucracy, an application for citizenship here can take several years to process.

I moved to India at the beginning of 2010 and have been living here to this day. Of course, you have to periodically come to Russia because of the limited time of stay on a visa. At first, a visa was issued for one year, but now, for some reason, it is issued only for eight months. Let me tell you more about the beginning of my journey.

Around 2005, I became passionately interested in yoga, and as you know, from yoga to India and its culture is just a couple of steps. About a year after my all-consuming penetration into the culture of India, I met a girl - the same fan of yoga and meditation as I am.

A year later we got married and in December 2010 we left for India together. We had a very small reserve of funds, I would even say, most likely, modest. It was decided to earn a living by freelancing, because jobs with official wages in India are almost impossible to find. In general, after some time of our residence in India, this system began to bear fruit, and now I can say with confidence that this is the absolute truth - in India you can live on $50 a day.

But it's better to start in order. There were a lot of people on the plane on the way here, and what, to say the least, it was packed to capacity. Although such a crowd of people at this time of the year is not at all surprising, because during the Russian winter in India the warmest time, and, consequently, the most touristy. On the plane they were fed with buns and coffee, which was very nice in itself. So, we flew in comfort. At that time I was an ardent supporter of everything Indian, so neither I nor my wife did any vaccinations before departure, and I will tell you that it is completely in vain. But more on that later.

It should also be mentioned that before traveling to India, you should take a large, or better immediately, huge first-aid kit from home. Many medicines familiar to Russian people are simply not available in India, for example, good antibiotics, enterosorbents, no-shpa and citramone.

So we ended up in India. And this country met us ... mmm ... specifically. Arriving immediately in Goa, we went towards the ocean. The time is 6 am, the whole village is sitting on the beach… why do you think? I don’t even know how to put it literally, I’ll probably say this: “all the locals, well, or almost all, sit out of great need right on the ocean. But then I didn’t care at all, I was on top of bliss from the mere thought that I was in India.

Naturally, at first we had to look for housing. I wanted, of course, something completely inexpensive and preferably close to the ocean. And here it is - a house in Bramakan ... It was just a miracle - a 10-minute walk from the sea, behind a mountain, an empty hut, standing alone in the jungle. We found the owner, who lives in the city, he arrived on a moped, gave the key and said - live, do not worry ... so we did ...

Cashew trees whirl intricately, and flowers exude a delicate aroma! Nothing disturbs the peace and gives complete freedom for meditation. Only a lonely silent neighbor passes by a couple of times a day to let an artificial river into his area. The sacred lake was very close to our new home, and the linen with the powder in it is washed at the same time as the ritual washing.

Again, it didn't strike me as odd at the time. Everything is fine, everything is as it should be, I am nirvana. These were the thoughts that lived in my head at the time. I smiled all the time and was absolutely happy. But this did not last long. Literally before the first food poisoning, which occurred a few hours after the first meal in India.

At first, I felt as if piranhas had settled in my stomach. Then, within five days, I had to use all the remedies for diarrhea brought from Russia. An unforgettable sight, I tell you. And this despite the fact that with such total dehydration, it was natural to drink water only from a bottle. I’ll tell you about Indian water right away. Drinking it raw, rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth, or even just washing your face, I would not advise anyone. All of the above should be done with bottled water. Fortunately, it is sold everywhere, but I want to warn you, be sure to pay attention to the fact that the bottle is tightly closed, and the local seller would not open it, even in front of you. Otherwise, you cannot avoid poisoning. It’s me who is so smart now, but then I was completely not so knowledgeable in such trifles as it seemed to me.

Let me tell you about our hut. As you can see in the photo, this is a structure consisting of walls and a roof, the floor in our house was stone, there was no door. True, there were only jungles around, so it did not cause any inconvenience. Naturally, there were no facilities for a toilet and shower. And if we managed quite simply without the latter, then without a sanitary facility, especially during the period of illness, it was, to put it mildly, uncomfortable. In general, except for the above, we were satisfied with everything. Every day at dawn we chanted mantras, meditated almost constantly, and ate mangoes and coconuts. Speaking of coconuts. These are the only fruits in India that are safe for Russians to eat, especially during the adaptation period.

We lived in such a hut for about three or four weeks, and then went to visit Russian friends and lived with them for a whole month. They spent the winter in India with the whole family. Since they lived with children, it is natural that their living conditions were at their best. Food and water were also radically different from what we had in the first weeks of our stay in India.

There, both my wife and I got stronger and almost completely adapted to life in India, or rather, I would say, it seemed to us at that time. We ate mainly rice, stewed vegetables and flatbread. They only drank boiled water. Fruits, on the advice of new acquaintances, began to be soaked in laundry soap, and before eating they were peeled and poured over with boiling water. There was never any poisoning during the period of residence in the house of the Russian family.

Every morning we started with yoga. Then, after a small breakfast, they usually played the violin or crawled on the Internet. Our new acquaintances even had it at home, there was no need to go to an Internet cafe.

I also want to say to all those who are going to move to India, remember that I only met an ATM there once, and even that did not work, so I advise you to arm yourself with cash. I also want to warn newcomers against theft of local residents. Everyone steals here, and not only people, but also monkeys. And monkeys in India are considered sacred animals, however, as well as cows and snakes. Monkeys are not punished for stealing. If a person is bitten by a snake, then she is put in jail. This is the paradox of India. And by the way, the deceased after being bitten by a poisonous snake is not burned, but simply put on a raft and sent to sail, most often to the Ganges. This is done because it is believed that this person did not die, but simply fell into a very deep sleep. I will tell you that it is an extremely unpleasant sight to see swollen corpses next to a crowd of people bathing or washing clothes. But this is the whole of India, a country of absolute paradoxes. The Ganges River is considered sacred by them, and many pilgrims come to it specifically for ritual bathing. As for me, despite all my then immersion in the world of India, I could not bring myself to put at least one toe into this, to put it mildly, not very clean water. Although this water really disinfects a lot, and there is a completely normal explanation for this - there are huge deposits of silver under the bowels of the water, and it is this that contributes to at least some purification of the local reservoir.

India is a country where children are very much loved. Here they are touched on the cheeks, this is something like our Russian “pat on the head”.

During my entire stay in India, I managed to see little girls running to school barefoot, and already adult students and female students studying right on the ground.

India still never ceases to amaze me. Everything is somehow wrong here, a slow and very measured course of life, the constant laziness of local residents, dirt and feces on every corner, snakes and monkeys, creepy insects and very well-mannered dogs. Yes, they are well-mannered, they never bark and lie very neatly everywhere. Hungry, skinny, but with some kind of proud expression on their faces. I once treated one dog, so he took a piece of cake from me with such an arrogant look, no tail wagging, nothing like that is observed in local dogs.

After staying with Russian friends, my wife and I decided to live closer to the mountains. The beauty there, of course, is indescribable, although no, just completely described, however, not only described, but also ... Further, I think you guessed what I want to say. This case here is almost everywhere, it happens, and there is nowhere to step. Solid public toilet.

And on the mountain next to the cave is a nunnery. There was a heavy downpour and we asked an old nun to wait it out.

She joyfully signed us in, fed us and put us to bed... and in general she did everything somehow joyfully, constantly singing mantras and saying nothing more. So we lived in this monastery for some time. I have not been able to learn the names. Drinking water had to be obtained from a closed well through a narrow hole. Although I jumped a little. The difficulty of obtaining water had to be faced somewhat later. In the monastery, they eat right on the floor from some plates that look more like pieces of cardboard.

Everyone is fed here, or maybe it's just that we were so lucky. I couldn't figure this out, and maybe I didn't really try. A smile constantly plays on the faces of the nuns, often toothless, but certainly very joyful and open. Every morning there was a service in the monastery, the nuns sang beautifully and looked at us cheerfully.

I would like to clarify that all the time described above we lived on money from freelancing and on small financial savings accumulated back in Russia.

After the monastery for some time we rented a room for 100 rupees. Leaving the house, the ocean was visible. In the heat, it's just bliss. True, there the locals constantly asked us to photograph them.

But this, however, did not bother us in any way, and we were happy to photograph both the kids and, in general, everything that we saw around. Now we are so used to everything that we don’t always carry a camera with us, but then everything was a curiosity and I wanted to capture everything.

Now I will talk about how we moved in India for the first time. Life in India is the absence of any traffic rules. And the longer I live here, the more I am convinced of this. Oncoming traffic practically does not exist, whoever has a larger car is the main one. Drivers constantly press the horn. The noise is such that there is nothing to compare with, perhaps. Once, during the next move from the northern part of India to the south, we noticed that the pass was closed, there were no cars. And then a jeep full of people and knapsacks goes to the eyeballs. It drives past, then backs up, the driver shouts - get in! Where??? Nothing, let's rock! And in fact, in some way still unknown to me, we were able not only to get into this generally not very big car, but also to get there safely. As calm as it is possible in a country like India. I even remember such a case when we spent the night in almost the same conditions that I have just described. It was something... The locals are sexually unsatisfied and it shows in everything. They keep trying to touch or stroke your woman. It was for this reason that the night for me at that time passed completely without sleep.

Public transport in India is also packed to capacity, although it is somewhat similar to Russian buses at rush hour. Nobody ever pays for a ticket, at least we have never paid, and we have not seen anyone from the locals do it. In transport, too, dirt is everywhere. It is better for women to try not to travel in public transport at all for the same reason as described above. Once we got into some kind of baggage car, where the Indians were crowded in three layers! I ended up between the shelves…or rather between the asses… The girls were sitting upstairs sandwiched between men who ate them with passionate glances!

So you can ride in India only with extreme sports and nothing else. We lived in northern India for quite a long time, we also rented a small house without amenities for little money. Everything suited us there, only a strange shadow sometimes covered the view. I did not immediately realize that a monkey had come to us.

We ate there, mostly fried bananas, which we ourselves safely cooked.

Now I hate bananas, especially fried ones, but then it seemed like the food of the gods. Bananas in India are not at all the same as in Russia, there are a lot of different varieties, and those that we are used to in our homeland are not even eaten by sacred animal cows in India.

Now I will tell about our living in India at the moment. I got a pretty lucrative contract and now I live in India on a work visa with my wife of course. We live in a big city, in comfortable conditions, but I am still under constant fear of being poisoned by something or picking up something infectious. And we don’t even think about children until the end of the contract. After all, a small child puts his hands in his mouth all the time, and in India it can even be deadly.

Even in the city, it would seem, among luxury and wealth, every morning I see beggars or people from the lowest caste on the side of the roads. Someone just lies on the ground, someone sleeps in dwellings built of cardboard and tarpaulin.

And the children, according to my initial observations, are now very happy here in India.

They absolutely do not care about the concerns of adults. By the way, small children here not only put dots on their foreheads from the evil eye, but also bring their eyes up. How they manage to do this is still a mystery to me.

In cities, as in villages, all the locals love to be photographed, as I mentioned above. And they even ask for it. Agree that it is difficult to imagine Russian people, for example, on a bus, who would come up to you and ask you to photograph them as a keepsake.

Now I will summarize a little my chaotic story about India. If you decide to move here, then be prepared for constant poisoning and fear of getting infected with something. Living in India requires you to make all the necessary vaccinations before moving. There are many of them, any infectious disease specialist in the clinic will give you a complete list. Stock up on antibiotics for the first time, there are few of them in India. It also does not hurt to take the so-called "homeless packages" from home. They will help you survive in the extreme conditions of India. Remember that you may have to live in huts and just in the open, and theft in India is very prosperous, so always carry documents and money on you. Be afraid of snakes and monkeys. The latter, too, like people, are engaged in theft. They very cleverly seize all your belongings, and then carry them to the market and exchange them for food. And don't be surprised, that's exactly what happens. Do not drink freshly squeezed juices in India, although this is a great temptation, you should not do this, otherwise unpleasant consequences for your health are possible. One more piece of advice: nowhere, even in five-star hotels, in any case, do not drink tap water, do not even rinse your mouth with it. Buy drinking water only in bottles. In restaurants and cafes, never order dishes from raw vegetables and do not eat if the order is brought to you slightly warmed up. Food in India should be hot, better scalding. Believe me, I am already an experienced person in this matter and I will not advise bad. Another wish from an experienced resident of India - be sure to carry a flask of alcohol with you everywhere, the stronger the better. I'm not advocating drinking, I'm just saying that if you drink a small sip before and after each meal, you will be less likely to spend the next day hugging a white friend. And of course, when you move to India, bring as much antidiarrheal as possible.

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 like in India? How strong is its economy? What is the size in India today?

Geographical location and general information about the country

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

Modern India occupies the entire Hindustan peninsula, extends to the Himalayan mountains in the north, and has wide access to the ocean in the south. From the western side, it is washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, and from the southeast - by the Bay of Bengal. The total length of the coastline of India reaches 7500 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, by the middle of the 21st century, India can overtake China in the “demographic race” and take a firm first position.

What does India produce? The country's economy and its structure

India is one of the strongest and fastest growing economies in Asia. The country has the fourth largest GDP in the world ($4.7 trillion). However, per capita income is low at $2,700 per year. According to this indicator, the country ranks only 118th in the world.

The structure of India's GDP is as follows:

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

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

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 investment. Most of the 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 - pice. Rupee to dollar exchange rate: 68:1 (as of May 2018). That is, for one American dollar you can buy 68. For 100 Russian rubles, you can get about 110 rupees.

The currency of India is presented in coins and banknotes. The smallest denomination in the country is 5 rupees, and the largest is 2,000. The exchange rate of the rupee against 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 monthly minimum wage in the state is 4,000 rupees ($60) for rural areas and 5,500 rupees ($82) for urban areas. It should be noted that the value of the average salary in India has a significant regional differentiation. Thus, the ranking of cities with the highest earnings includes Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and Calcutta.

Standard of living in the country: main indicators

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

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

A third of the country's population are illiterate (cannot read and write).
90% of Indian cities do not have sewerage.
Only half of India's cities have access to clean piped water.
About 300 million people in the country are deprived of access to electricity networks.
Only 20 major cities in India have municipal public transport.
Nearly a quarter of India's population lives below the poverty line (less than two dollars a day).

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

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

The medicine

According to numerous reviews of our compatriots who moved to distant India for one reason or another, the situation with medicine there is far from ideal. Medical services in this country are either very expensive or cheap, but of 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 they employ real professionals. By the way, many of them studied abroad (including in post-Soviet countries). However, treatment in such clinics is available to only 10% of the Indian population.

Education

At this stage, the state is trying to provide school education to absolutely all its inhabitants, 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 modern India.

Today, there are about 500 universities in the country. Technical specialties are especially popular. Education in most universities is conducted 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 landscaping

Inside the country, it is possible to travel by various modes of transport: from traditional trains and buses to very exotic bike and auto rickshaws. The most developed rail transport. The entire territory of India (with the exception of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir) is covered by a dense network of 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 zones at all. The streets are rarely equipped with sidewalks, there are very few parks and squares. Some Indian hotels offer a unique service - the so-called "day pass". At this time, you can be 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 garbage on city streets is quite a familiar picture for this country.

Prices for products and services

In India, prices for local vegetables and fruits are very low. They are very tasty, as they are always fresh, and are 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. More details about food prices are described in the following video.

Communication and Internet services, as well as travel are quite cheap. Clothes and shoes are also cheap. The price of household appliances is approximately comparable to Russian ones.

Finally…

Summarizing all of the above: is it worth thinking about emigration to this country? If you look for work here - then only in the field of high technology. Opportunity to work part-time in the tourism industry. As for working specialties, the salaries in India in dollars are extremely low. It is important to note that it is quite difficult for a foreigner to find a job here. To get a work visa to India, you need to conclude a contract with a local employer. At the same time, the monthly salary should not be lower than 2100 US dollars.

We are used to seeing India from fantastic Bollywood films and beautiful nature photographs, but few people remember that India is a third world country. People in the Indian slums live in simply terrible conditions, but they are so used to it and everything seems to suit them, or maybe they just never saw a better life. We invite you to stroll through the streets of the Indian slums, away from the tourist routes and see the real, harsh reverse side of India.

Slums of Delhi:

The most popular trash can in Delhi is the river.

For obvious reasons, the river smells very bad, even at a decent distance from it.

The life of many ordinary Indians is the same as a hundred years ago. Cordless charcoal iron

Indian school bus

Outdoor toilet. The Indians are not burdened with complexes. Many generally go to the toilet, where they have to, without being embarrassed by passers-by.

Some men relieve themselves on their haunches, according to some custom

"Internet cafe" and computer club in Delhi

Typical slum in Delhi. The population of India is 1.22 billion people. Normal housing is not enough for everyone

Some people drive British colonial cars.

Cozy taxi stop

street barbershop

In addition to the disabled, these crackers are begging on the roads. Seeing the tourists, they quickly approach and begin to pat you on different parts of the body, probably finding out the presence of coins.

The person who died on the street immediately, in front of everyone, began to be cleaned. Took out their pocket money and took off their shoes

A stone was thrown at the photographer and he had to make a hasty retreat. Maybe this person didn't even die, but just passed out.

fresh chicken

Horse-drawn transport, 1 bull's strength

Harsh Indian childhood

On the street you can eat tasty and not expensive, but the trouble is with hygiene and sanitation

Motorcycle traffic jam in Delhi. A great opportunity to find out the latest news and get to know each other

Jungle Delhi with wires hanging anywhere

Housing in the city center

As you know, the cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism. Eating beef is taboo. Cow's milk and dairy products play a key role in Hindu rituals. Everywhere cows are respected - they are allowed to freely roam the streets of cities. Throughout India it is considered a very auspicious sign to give a cow something to eat before breakfast. In many states in India there is a ban on killing cows, for killing or injuring a cow you can go to jail. Historically, due to the ban on eating cows, a system developed in Indian society in which only pariahs (one of the lowest castes) ate the meat of slaughtered cows and used their skins in leather production.

Cow slaughter is restricted in all states of India except West Bengal and Kerala where there are no restrictions. Cows are routinely transported to these regions for slaughter, despite the fact that it is prohibited by Indian law to transport cows across state lines. In big cities, however, there are many private slaughterhouses. As of 2004, there were approximately 3,600 legal slaughterhouses in India, while the number of illegal slaughterhouses was estimated at 30,000. All attempts to close illegal slaughterhouses were unsuccessful

Let's go to another Indian metropolis - Bangalore

On the Delhi-Bangalore train. Indian guides do not have a separate compartment, they sleep on the floor next to the toilet

Bangalore:

Mumbai:

Mumbai (Mumbai, until 1995 - Bombay) is the most populated city in India (15 million people). Center for the entertainment industry. Bollywood film studios are located here, as well as the offices of most television and satellite networks in India.

Childhood of children in Mumbai

Washing on the river bank