India will it fulfil its potential?
The two weeks in India had flown past. We were really glad we had taken advantage of the last minute opportunity to join the group. Whether one enjoys a group trip or not is so dependent on how well the group functions - in this case I think the group functioned really well. Thank You!
When we met with the “locals” we were always made to feel welcome - they were keen to make sure we were enjoying our visit. It was disappointing, therefore, that our contact with locals was limited. For example, we would have enjoyed leaving the “cocooned atmosphere” of the hotels to go for walks in the towns we visited, but hotel security and our tour guide advised us that it was unsafe to leave the hotel grounds. Whenever we alighted from our bus, or boat, at a tourist destination, we were surrounded by traders; while we might have felt uncomfortable with their persistence, at no time did we feel unsafe; if the situation turned awkward, our tour guide intervened.
It is one thing to read about India, whether in fact or fiction, or to see it in movies, but there is no substitute for being there in person. We learned first hand about the different influences that shape present day India. India is a vibrant country anxious to propel itself to be a global leader of the 21st century while not abandoning its history and culture. The strong family and local ties that bound together a largely rural society are being tested as more and more people move into cities where the ties that bind are weakening.
The religious tension between Hindu and Muslim are still very real. The federal government is formed by the BJP whose ideology embraces Hindutva or Hindu nationalism which by definition would exclude non-Hindus. Former President Obama encouraged "the country to cherish and nurture its large Muslim population that is integrated and considers itself Indian" But India is not the only country where such a conundrum makes governing difficult.
Although the caste system is no longer legal under the constitution, discrimination has not disappeared. Marriage across caste lines is still the exception rather than the rule. Indeed, when it does happen, the newly-weds are most likely to be isolated and rejected by both families. There continue to be major demonstrations related to the cast system - central Mumbai came to a standstill as protestors took to the streets to protest violence directed at Dalits who had gathered on New Year’s Day 2018 to commemorate the victory of a British led force against high-caste Hindus. Just because country’s constitution may have abolished something, it doesn’t mean that it has disappeared. Again, India is not the only country where this exists
When independence came to the sub-continent in 1947, it was a bloody affair. Reconciling the Hindu and Muslim communities was an impossible task - it resulted in the partition of British India into a Hindu dominated India and a Muslim dominated East and West Pakistan. The ensuing conflict resulted in the deaths of between 1 and 2 million people, and the forced migration of some 12 million people. Distrust between the two religious communities within the two countries and between the two countries continues to this day. For example, there are some “unwritten rules” - there are no Muslims in the Indian army, nor are there Hindus in the Pakistani army. Tensions along the border are always tense and often boil over - as recently as December 27, 2017.
The issue of safety for women in public places, as well as domestic assault, receives considerable coverage in the print and digital media. It was interesting to see that there are separate subway cars and buses for women only; there are also “women friendly taxis”
On a more positive note, at ATM’s, the order of operations reduces the risk of the ATM swallowing your card. First you enter the card; the machine reads it and then returns it. Only then are you asked for your PIN - seems a simple change, but one that travellers appreciate!
This tour provided a tasty soupçon which will encourage us to return.