Archive for the 'India' Category

One of the books which we are working on at the moment, an offshoot of our recent book on India, is on Hinduism - India’s main religion. For centuries people in the west have always been fascinated by Hinduism and we thought a guide book explaining Hinduism was long overdue.

My Friend, Ian reckons that the reason for the allure of Hinduism is it’s enduring nature…Surely there must be some reassuring truth in beliefs so old that they are almost timeless, having survived the advent of other religions, like Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. In fact, in India these religions are able to co-exist, and often one religion may influence another, moderating it and creating a very mature belief system.

This tolerance and moderation, though not universal, is one of the greatest strengths of mainstream Hinduism, in which many paths to the same spiritual goal (even through other religions) are regarded as equally valid. This concept of Advaita (or non-dualism) gently nudges the believer in the direction of tolerance.

Perhaps this explains yet another reason why people are drawn to Hinduism. Whilst some other religions have come into conflict with the logic of science, surprisingly Hinduism seems to have always avoided this impasse. In fact philosophical and logical debates between Hindu scholars were commonplace, even in ancient times. Even today around the world many scientists of Indian origin carry out their scientific research, then observe ‘pooja’ (prayer) at a small religious shrine at home, reaffirming their beliefs.

I wonder if this isn’t an attractive choice compared with the one we here in the west feel confronted with - science (which one may feel requires atheism, and a possible lack of spiritual support) or a religion one finds hard to reconcile with the modern world. Perhaps more than anything, the calm and gentle faith of this ancient religion is what attracts people to it.

Whilst I am enjoying having philosophical conversations with people, contemplating, gathering information and learning more about this fascinating religion, I am at the same time, struggling hard to write a book on it according to publisher’s criteria. Hinduism is very complex and a list based religion. For example there are ten ‘avatars’ (incarnations) of God Vishnu, Seven streams of Hindu philosophy, several sects, 108 places of Salvation mentioned by Hindu saints, 12 most sacred sites of God Shiva, thousands of other Gods, several holy books, etc and this is another area where I am having difficulties. Hopefully, we should have this book completed by the year end.

Just wanted thank everyone who responded to our recent email campaign and purchased our book. Amazon ranking was at 4001 today and looks like book is doing extremely well in its initial stage.

The book is currently ranked:

#1 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Speciality Travel > Living & Working Abroad
#3 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Asia > India

We just need to keep the momentum going. All proceeds of royalties from this book will be donated to Cancervive, India. We are sure that you will find the book useful to help you and your family settle quickly in India - and to ensure that it is the experience of a lifetime.

Kris and Ian

Noticed last night a similar picture to the above in the “Eye Spy” section of the latest issue of Private Eye (Issue 1208). Seems a bit bizarre!!! Why would an Indian name his coffee shop after Ken Livingstone? Is it to attract British tourists? Or is the owner a fan of ‘Red’ Ken?

Kerala has had a long history of democratically elected communist government and maybe Ken is ‘their man in London’? Wonder what is further up the road in pro royal conservative state of Karnataka? A Boris Johnson Bicycle Shop perhaps?????

Final excerpt from the book Living and Working in India.

In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of people who go to India, not for a holiday, but to live and work in a fascinating country that is emerging as a major world economy. This book is a product of our visit to India in 2001 when we travelled there for work.

The reasons for working in India are manifold and worth reviewing. Although your initial salary may be a little lower than it would be in the West, you can often start work in India at a higher position of responsibility and quickly gain valuable corporate experience. Moreover, while your starting salary may be lower than in a Western company, it might well translate to a higher purchasing power and standard of living. One must also remember that wages in India are increasing, while in some professions in the West, salaries are actually decreasing in real terms. And, while some Indian cities are still developing in terms of amenities, you will frequently find that Indian companies often have better facilities than those you are used to in the West!

On a cultural level, nothing can quite match the vitality and sheer human experience of living in India. India’s cities are lively, colourful and vibrant – although it may take a few weeks to get adjusted. Shops stay open late and there is no shortage of manpower for household services. Because English is widely used in newspapers, books, radio stations and television, your cultural transition may be easier than in other countries.

Indians are a friendly and gregarious people who are more than willing to learn about other nationalities and cultures and so you will never be short of company. If you are interested in history or archaeology, India will provide you a live laboratory. Indian civilization dates back thousands of years, and each empire or conqueror has left a unique historical imprint. This means that ancient Hindu shrines co-exist with Islamic-influenced Mughal architecture, imposing gateway arches from the British Raj and modern buildings. India is also a world leader in terms of music, cinema, literature, mythology and religion, so the depth of your cultural experience is practically limitless.

In addition, the friendships and connections that you form while working in India can make even a short stay there a life-changing experience. In fact, once India gets ‘under your skin’, you will find yourself returning to the subcontinent again and again, or even settling there. The easygoing nature and warmth of the Indian people is as hard to resist as the spicy Indian cuisine, and you may soon find the sedate pace of life in the West hard to re-adjust to. Don’t be surprised if you return home with a wistful longing for India and start to feel confused about which country you really call home!

Living and Working in India will ease the transition between Western and Indian cultures, giving a wealth of advice in terms of language, culture, lifestyle, education, health, housing, working practices and regulations. The guidebook useful for both the preparation of your visit to India and throughout your stay.

Cancervive

We have committed to donate the entire proceeds of royalties from this book to Cancervive, India, a small regional charity based in Mangalore. Cancervive, India provides care and support to children with terminal cancer at hospitals around the Mangalore district.

Just found out that Living and Working in India is 16th most wished for in English books on Amazon Japan-ahead of some top business books.

Strangely ‘Living Abroad in Japan’ is at number 14! I wonder whether the Japanese readership are buying this book as a gift for their friends from abroad, or are they just curious to read how foreigners view their country?

Anyway, here’s the ranking at Amazon Japan

Amazon Canada has discounted Living and Working in India by only a cent. I wonder why? Usually when an online book store offers a discount they are simply cutting their portion of retail margin-usually around 30 to 40%. Do they think that the book is worth so much in Canada that they are not willing to give any further discounts? Or is it some kind of marketing psychology that CDN$ 30.46 cents repels the buyers much more than CDN$ 30.45?

Will this minor difference in price have any major effect on the sales of the book in Canada? We occasionally encountered the bizarre field of numerology in India, and perhaps there is a certain resonance here?

Always thought 0.99p was the most successful price.

Dealings with Indian bureaucracy

Excerpts from the book Living and Working in India

Even before your trip to India begins, the first hurdle to cross is to obtain a visa. The forms are available online from the Indian Missions abroad and the process appears straight forward but it is not. On a busy day the Indian embassies and consulates has the atmosphere of a bustling Indian market, with plenty of pushing, shoving and shouting. It certainly pays to enter with plenty of patience and good humour. If you have not visited India before, then a trip to the Indian mission to apply for a visa may be your first real contact with Indian culture.

As such it is quite an experience and may give you your first inkling that the ‘real India’ is not quite what you had imagined from television programmes replete with sitar music, or a ‘curry’ with your mates on Friday night

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Be aware, that there are no standard visa application forms or procedure. Forms vary from embassy to embassy and from consulate to consulate. For example, Indian consulate in Sydney refuses to accept visa applications with application forms filled in from Indian High Commission in Canberra. At the Indian mission, you may be told to fill the forms in triplicate and then sent back rudely for flimsiest reasons such as photographs not being alike or of the same size or not having the exact amount in local currency for the visa.

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After arriving in India, you’ll have to go thorough a few more bureaucratic nightmares mainly with the local police. To a large extent, the police in India are a law unto themselves, and it is best to be very polite, respectful and appreciative. While India has an anti-corruption bureau, and Indian officials are required to swear oaths against bribery, some police officials (more likely the ones who have desk-jobs as clerks) may ask you to grease their palms. This suggestion may come in the form of, ‘I have helped you very much, haven’t I? You should give me some gift.’ Sometimes they may feel a little ashamed (or afraid of being caught) and if you ask how much, you may be told, ‘Just friendly,…….. friendly). It is best to take your company’s representative or a friend who speaks the local language and will know how much ‘bakhsheesh’ (bribe/tip) is required.

Nowadays bribes (which are not always asked for) should not be too high. Also, remember not to use the word, ‘bribe’, or bring up the subject. If the Indian police require anything, they will find a way of letting you know. In one case (while getting a visa extension) we remember being asked to walk outside the police station, take a folded piece of paper, place some money inside and bring it back to the counter. When a 100 Rupee note was not enough, a second trip outside, and a total bribe of 200 Rupees saved the day.

As we mentioned earlier, It is very important that you go for Police Registration accompanied by an Indian (preferably from your company’s Human Resources department) who speaks the local language. We noted this in the Southern Indian city of Bangalore where we observed that the police representative who dealt with foreign nationals could not speak a word of English!!!!

For complete details on visas to India, police registration, residence permit and Indian Immigration, see the Chapter ‘Immigration’ in Living and Working in India

Excerpts on Indian English from the book Living and Working in India

One of the factors which make India so attractive to foreigners and foreign businesses is the widespread use of the English language within the subcontinent. In fact, India has now edged in front of America as the country with the largest English-speaking population. However, Indian version of English is quite distinct from other varieties, such as British, American, Australian, or Caribbean English.

What is Indian English?
Indian English is a fascinating creative combination of old English expressions from colonial times, grammatical constructions and direct translations from the native speaker’s language, words borrowed from other colonial languages, and especially Indian languages such as Hindi, together with simplifications of English grammar that increase the user-friendliness of the language. You may even find yourself picking up some Indian words or expressions and using them when you go back home, as the British colonists did when they brought home the words, ‘bungalow, pyjamas, shampoo, chutney, pundit and chintz’, which became firmly lodged in the English language.