My India Blog

[simran345]

I wouldn't bother going India, unless you are going to the historical Gurdwaras of Sikhi or visiting close relatives. I'm here at the moment, and it's changed so much from the last time I was here. My health has been affected so much by the change of everything here, and I haven't had much of a good experience since being here.

The pind life has changed too, my internet keeps cutting off, so not sure if this post will go through. Internet reception is so bad. I should be used to India as I've been enough times, but this time I am just not adjusting to it as I thought I would.

People have changed, everything's changed. So far, I've experienced there is no sense of humanity like when I used to come before.

Nobody's cares about nobody, everybody is all themselves, "me me me". I thought it was a western abroad issue, but here it's much worse. Totally different planet. Big culture shock, I think I'm still stuck in the old way of thinking when people were friendly and used to care. But those words are non existent here.

Ok so my experience so far;

- I Am ashamed to say that the airport, named after Guru Ramdas ji, has not been done proud or maintained as it should be, considering it is the land of the Gurus. The disabled services are totally ****. Excuse the language, but I know I and others along with me went through an unpleasant experience. I ended up telling off the staff and having to fight for my right of getting a wheelchair, even though it was pre-booked. And on top of it I was asked for tips, which I refused to give and gave them a few lectures on disabled rights.

I was told to sit in a wheelchair which was a sheet of fabric on top of metal bars or rods, obviously I refused to sit in it as it was so painful too. Some staff tried to fob off the genuine wheelchair users, but I got so frustrated and was disgusted by it, I took my stand and I'm so glad I did. God knows what I will go through going back.

- Women here are very nasty, and have attitude problems. People lie to your face just to divert you from anything good.

Rest I will tell you when I come back. Only met a few young decent genuine girls who love my way of thinking. Most women will be sweet to your face but then I see them talking about me in the corner.

As I have been occupied in a wedding, haven't had chance to go sight seeing or to any historical isthaans.

It's so tiring here, and you just feel like going anywhere.

- Weddings are a nightmare here, no system at all. The process is different aswell. The men aren't too bad with manners and social etiquette, but the women are vicious, unorganised and want to be first first first at everything, be it the Maiya or Jago or the Anand Karaj. God knows why, because they don't do nothing when they get to the front ? I've been on purpose, and been give so many looks and Mehne. Women are very judgmental here and obviously have that great talent of chuglian and lieing.

But I've had the pleasure of seeing the lagis, bajigar singers. Lagis are more greedy now, and have received a few negative comments and Mehne just for being from abroad.

In Uk the milni is first and then tea and then Anand Karaj. But here, it's Anand Karaj, then off to the palace and milni then tea.

The thing that made me angry most was the videographers and photographers. Every second they are taking pictures or filming. Like a billion photos with the most stupidest poses lol.

I think the wedding was just a film and photo shoot, didn't even feel like a wedding. I've had to defend myself at the wedding most against women, it's quite dangerous being pushed and trampled, especially when you know certain women are doing it on purpose. So I thought enough is enough and got all my energy and gave them a taste of their own medicine. Didn't like doing it, but it was the only way to save myself from injuries.

But hey it worked, because now they know not to mess with me and are being polite. It's like disciplining kids.

Obviously the speakers are much louder than abroad so one doesn't really get to enjoy the wedding.

- Talking about system, there is no system for anything, which I already knew, but seems to have got worse.

No traffic system, no social events system, no shopping system, not really a system in the few Gurdwaras I been too. The people just don't respect system. That's about it on system and organisation, the only system I seen is lieing, chuglian and evil looks.

- As you know staring is the norm here, but it's now accompanied by evil dirty looks again by the women. To which I've had to respond like this ? Or ?? Or said words in English which stops the dirty looks, which never happened before I used to come, only staring was the fashion.

- One has to distinguish between the genuine beggars and the fraud beggars. I've found the genuine ones won't give Mehne and didn't hassle me so much. When I said I'm sorry I don't have anything to give which I didnt, they kind of respected me for it and moved away, whereas the fake ones gave me Mehne and made negative comments. I think I've felt more humanity from the genuine poor or low class people here and been talking to them it's made me feel more welcome than the normal people.

I normally talk to the kids, they are so cute. But there is not enough discipline, kids are naughtier I think here. And unlike abroad they wonder around the pind by themselves or play with friends and the parents don't know where they are. I suppose it's the norm here.

- There are more dogs barking at night, having their tantrums and arguments. The time you want to go to sleep kuttea di laraiyi hojandi ??. Then the neighbours put their stereo speakers on full blast trying to be DJs playing Bhangra. So yup you guessed it, no rest. Then in the morning the Gurdwara speaker goes on the loudest volume setting, which I'm trying to get used to now. But not one, then the other Gurdwaras and Mandirs put their speakers on too. There isn't really peace of mind as i can't get any laha from Gurbani when it's that loud. I think they've put the speakers louder than last time.

It's like one whole mix up of loud noises and hard to focus on what's being read.

But again it's the norm here, which I'm not used to. One day I was so tired and said the Granthi didn't do paat today. Everybody was like he did, I must have been in deep sleep.

That's about it really, the delights of India, it's been raining so not sure where to go. Not sure what there is to see Jalandhar area. People don't advice on where to go. Is there anything worth seeing that somebody else has around here? Need some happy therapy as long as it's not food outlets, I'd be grateful if somebody could advise any sight seeing or historical places.

Thank you ji. The rest I will update when I come back.

?? Waheguru

[Guest Jacfsing2]

Vaheguru bless your journey, ? it is really hard for anyone to travel in India and expect that nothing has changed over the years.

[Guest]

I actually love going to India. I'm going to be there in the upcoming weeks.

[sikhni777]

There is an ongoing transport strike. My sis in law stuck and cant reach delhi. Planes are all booked and trains not operating.

[ramghariasingh]

[simran345]

I actually love going to India. I'm going to be there in the upcoming weeks.

I think I'm getting used to it now. Being occupied in the wedding, didn't give a chance to talk to family members and friends properly. But in the last two days we have shared aspects of our different lives, be it dukh sukh or daily life routines and will probably miss some family members. I think one needs time to get used the transition in order to appreciate Gods diversity of creation.

There is an ongoing transport strike. My sis in law stuck and cant reach delhi. Planes are all booked and trains not operating.

Hanji there is the protest going on. Can she get a plane from Amritsar to Delhi ?

[Guest]

How long are you staying in India for?

[DailyMail]

Are the indo-canadian buses also involved in the strike?

[sikhni777]

When roads are blocked then buses are useless.

They have managed a direct flight from Amritsar to heathrow.. took so many phone calls and emails. All routes to Delhi are blocked. 12 people were killed as a result of having been attacked by the protesters. A normal flight from chandigarh to delhi which would cost rs 4000 was sold for rs 99000 or something.

[Not2Cool2Argue]

What is the protest about?