Sights of India - Summer '06

In our experience, India's people and country are colorful and incredibly diverse. Consider these few, brief, visual impressions of Delhi...


Notice the exterior of the Delhi Stock Exchange - a familiar type of financial institution, but foreign surroundings and appearances.






Because of Hindu beliefs, cows are liable to be found just about anywhere. This one was placidly chewing a cud in a quiet, off the main street, empty lot. They would often, however, be found in the very middle of traffic.



You can only get a hint from this photo of the throbbing vibrancy and chaos in the Delhi streets!





This view of rooftops gives a glimpse of life for many of Delhi's millions. If you've heard recent news reports of riots in Delhi, this sort of arrangement is what is at the core - unregulated commercial enterprises and squatters' dwellings all intermingled. The Delhi government is trying to reign this in, partly because Delhi is due to host the Commonwealth Games soon.

So, in stark contrast to the throbbing vibrancy and chaos of much of Delhi's streets, a new phenomenon is springing up all over the city - Malls! Pristine, clean, shiny, new - just as colorful, but, let me emphasize, very clean and orderly. So orderly that in the food courts attendants are constantly sweeping floors, wiping tables and immediately clearing tables of cups & wrappers, and out in the corridors the marble floors are constantly being swept and mopped. Often these malls are right next to the scenes of Delhi's other ways of life!

Next post: scenes from Transform World, India '06, in Hyderabad, October 24-28