India

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Revision as of 22:45, 11 March 2010 by 88.202.207.58 (talk)

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Flag of India India
Information
Language: Hindi, English
Capital: New Delhi
Population: 1,147,995,904
Currency: Indian rupee (₨) (INR)
Hitchability: from Bad.png (bad) to Average.png (average)
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<map lat='21.739091217718574' lng='82.177734375' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' />


India is a country in Asia.

India is a land of diverse cultures, faiths, languages and people. For all practical purposes though, English and Hindi (the national languages) are widely understood throughout the country.

The condition of road surfaces, driving habits, vehicles and driver profiles varies greatly from region to region even in the same state. Although hitchhiking is allowed as in it is not illegal, it is not something which is common. A ride may be sometimes difficult to get as hitchhikers actually turn out to be robbers and dacoits who flag down vehicles and loot them.

However, hitchhiking is possible. The Academy of Free Travel organized an expedition in India in 1998 where nine participants hitchhiked the entire length of the country north to south. There is a growing Indian hitchhiking community, and the rise of the car-owning middle class means that hitchhiking from cities to popular excursion sites is increasingly simple.

Gesturing for a ride will inevitably attract a taxi, bus or the three wheeler auto rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. Rates will vary from region to region.

Rides on Trucks

In some regions, the only vehicles which may bother to stop and pick up hikers would be long distance trucks. They generally ply between cities or villages. Speeding is common and trucks are often involved in accidents. Drunk driving is also fairly common. If offered a ride on the truck, it is best to humor the driver and helper by engaging in small talk as far as possible. Silence may lead to sullen behavior and even hostility.

Trains

Even passionate hitchhikers often resort to train travel in India, as it offers its own kind of adventure. Most trains in India, with the exception of the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Garib Rath express trains, have four carriages marked General class (two at the front of the train, two at the rear). Riding in these carriages requires only that you buy a ticket just before boarding, while other classes require reservations days or weeks in advance. General Class carriages do not guarantee a place to sit. You might encounter carriages where people are packed together as tightly as cattle, while at other times the carriage might be half-empty and you can lie down and sleep. An overnight journey in a General Class compartment costs only around 100Rs, making them a good alternative to hitchhiking.

Sleeping

Sleeping outside is accepted in India, and millions of urban poor do it. Theft is rarely a concern if you are sleeping among a large crowd, though you ought to secure your bag in some small way. If you need a place to overnight, head for the nearest train station, where you can spread out your sleeping bag and no one will bother you. Often there is a waiting room for those with train reservations (called "Upper Class Waiting Room" or similar), and foreigners can usually enter those and sleep without being asked to show a ticket. Earplugs are useful.

Eating

The Sikh religion of India emphasizes hospitality and at any Sikh temple (gurdwara) you can find meals. Don't be ashamed to ask anyone standing around there where you can find the dining room, as many Sikhs voice regret that few foreigners come and accept what they offer. There is no religious proselytizing, and because everyone eats sitting in a row on the floor, it's a great way to strike up conversations with everyday Indians.

Cities


trash:India