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Published: March 1st 2012
Delhi is overwhelming. 17 million people and six million vehicles. Getting around is crazy. Our hotel was only 12 miles from the airport, but it took well over an hour to travel that distance. They said that they drive on the left-hand side, but that doesn't seem to matter. They drive straight into each other and somehow everyone squeezes through. A waiter told me that if you can drive in Delhi, you can drive anywhere. Delhi has the longest transit system in the world. The addition of a subway system has helped somewhat. To encourage public transit, they keep the price low--10 cents for a bus ride, 20 cents for an air conditioned bus. Here's a fact: the Indian railway employs over a million people, making it the largest employer in the world.
Delhi's native son is Mahatma Gandhi and even 65 years after his assassination, he is revered. Every Friday a commemorative ceremony takes place at the place of his cremation. He united this country of 23 different languages, 1652 dialects and all major religions because his struggle was for nationhood. His concept of passive resistance inspired the civil rights marches of the 1960's and even the Wall Street
India Gate
Constructed in 1921 to honour the 19,000 Indian military killed in WWI.demonstrations of last fall.
In Delhi, you get two cities for the price of one: New Delhi and Old Delhi. Old Delhi is an assault on the senses. It is a riot of colour, noise and smells. New Delhi has wide streets and nice parks.
As for India itself, its population of 1.1 billion makes it the second largest country in the world. Since China isn't a democracy, India also is the largest democracy in the world. They have elections every five years. There are 1 million polling stations. Each station has 15 staff. So 15 million people are needed just to run an election.
More than half the population lives on less than $2.00 per day. Half make their living in agriculture. However, it is estimated that the middle class will grow ten-fold by 2025.
Here's a weird fact: almost all Indians are cremated after death: Hindus, Sikhs and some Christians. There are seven crematoriums in Delhi alone and it takes 700 pounds of wood for each cremation.
Namaste!
Donna
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Bill McFadyen
non-member comment
try sitting on your hands. How much would this lad make in a day. does he charge by the mile or time travelled?