Indian life. Interview with Oksana Ukhlina: life in India as it is

India is exactly the country where the beauty and wealth of some people and the sheer poverty of the rest are fully combined.

Having visited this country, your consciousness will turn inside out and never again will you talk about the fact that in Russia some people live richly, and all the rest are poor. Having visited India, and especially not the most prosperous areas and cities, you can see a combination of luxury and poverty.

How do they live

Luxurious mansions with gilded columns, swimming pools, gardens of paradise with the same birds of paradise and miserable shacks in which half-starved and half-dressed children and their mothers vegetate their lives right next to each other. While their fathers are trying to earn at least bread so that the family does not starve to death.

These feelings will visit any tourist who wants to drive through the outskirts of the city of Delhi or its provinces. Around the solid dirt and the presence of sewage thrown directly into the street.
India's problem, not least, is its pollution of both land and water. If everything is clear with water, because probably everyone knows that the funeral procession is accompanied by the burning of the body and the dumping of the remains into the nearby river.

But the land is polluted due to the lack of culture among the Hindus to throw garbage into garbage containers, which is almost impossible to find, at least in the provinces.

on the video how people live in India

Garbage is thrown at his feet (I bought a bun, took off the bag and threw it at my feet. I drank a cup of coffee and threw a plastic bag at my feet as well.) What can I say if citizens who have their own houses throw waste not somewhere into containers, but directly around your house.
Looking at this kind of beauty of the provinces, you understand how simple and rich people actually live in India.

Lifespan

All this affects life expectancy in India, which is 68.7 years, while men live on average 5 years less than women - 66.3 versus 71.2. But this trend is happening all over the world. In terms of duration, India ranks 118 out of 192 countries. It is noteworthy that Russia is in 113th place. As you can see, it didn't go far.

Standard of living

At the same time, the country's standard of living (economy, quality of life, level of freedom, sovereignty) is at a very low level. For 2014, according to the studies of international organizations, it occupies as much as 106th place out of 108 studied. Compared with our country, Russia is in 32nd place. What can not but rejoice.
So, if you look at the indications of the standard of living in India and Russia, then without leaving for this country you can understand how ordinary citizens live there.

It should be noted that the pension system in India is not developed in the same way as in Russia.

Only civil servants are required to receive a pension, for everyone else it is a funded system, but not all employers deduct interest on the employee's pension account, as this is not necessary. There are currently 90 million people in India who have reached retirement age (60 years). However, they can no longer work, and the state does not make any payments.

Friends, hello!

When my husband and I moved to India, I immediately registered on the Indian Wives Forum. I wanted not only to get more information about the new country of residence, but also to get to know the people who inhabit it.

One of the first people I met then was Oksana. I enjoyed reading her sensible forum posts, watching photos and videos on Facebook, and chatting in person. In addition, I was surprised and impressed by such a strong and positive integration into Indian life.

So, when I thought again: who should I interview? Without even a doubt, I thought about Oksana and was very glad that she agreed.

Oksana has been living in India for 8 years

So, Oksana was born and raised in the city of Pavlodar, in Kazakhstan. Having received a diploma in economics-management, she worked for 10 years at her native university in administrative positions in the economic service, and also taught a little for students of the university and its affiliated college.

In 2008, Oksana married an Indian and began to "develop" Asia. Not having time to properly taste the taste of a highly organized, tempting life in Hong Kong and Singapore, and, having fallen into the millstones of the economic crisis, at the end of the same year, Oksana and her husband were forced to return to India.

Being at home to care for the child and, being limited in movement around the city, Oksana began tophotography and blog about life in India. Currently, Oksana with her husband and daughter Katrina live in southern India - in the city of Hyderabad.

Husband of Oksana Srikanth, Oksana and their daughter Katrina

Hi Oksana! How long have you been in India?

Hey! J I first came to India in 2007, came to get acquainted with the country and the relatives of my future husband. I have been living permanently since 2009, however, with breaks for waiting and the birth of my daughter and quite long summer holidays almost every year.

Tell me, how did you meet your husband and was it easy for you to decide to get married (and go) abroad?

My husband and I met in ICQ ( ICQ ). At first, of course, they just talked, got to know each other. About half a year later, he came to my hometown to get acquainted “live”, and then we already decided that everything was serious. The decision to marry is hardly given to anyone easily, regardless of whether it happens in their hometown or in another country. Here faith in the person with whom you are going to connect your life is important. I believed and therefore went to my husband in Hong Kong, where he then worked, to get married and start our journey together called “family”.

How did your parents, close people, friends react to your move? Do you visit relatives and how frequent are such meetings?

Relatives and friends reacted positively to the changes in my life, supporting and sincerely empathizing. I try to visit my family regularly. Previously, it was once a year. The last 2 times were with breaks in two years.

Oksana at an exhibition organized as part of the Hyderabad Arts Festival

Have your relationships changed with those with whom you talked a lot before moving to India? Do you still keep in touch?

Relations have changed in the sense that we now communicate virtually because of the separating kilometers. However, with someone it works even better than in real life, but there are friends who do not use the opportunities very well. virtual communication, but who are always happy to meet when I am in my native side.

Was it difficult to accept the new culture? And how much do you think you accepted it?

I consider cultural diversity one of the most beautiful things in our world. As for acceptance, everything rests on individual cultural aspects. For example, I listen to Indian music and watch Indian films with pleasure, I easily accept the nuances of everyday and festive attire, I participate with interest in national and religious celebrations if I am invited. At the same time, it is also important for me to maintain personal self-identification with a set of cultural values ​​that have been instilled in me since childhood and consciously accepted.

Baha'u'llah's birthday celebration in the Baha'i community of Hyderabad. A girl performs a classical dance of the Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) - kuchipudi.

In which Indian city do you live now and where did you live before?

Now we live with my family in Hyderabad. After we got married, we lived for a few months in Hong Kong, and then a couple of months in Singapore. In India, I also happened to live in Mumbai and Pune.

What are your general impressions of living in India, in particular in Hyderabad? How different is life in different Indian cities?

In general, my impressions of living in India are such that, on the one hand, it is an everyday challenge and overcoming difficulties, on the other hand, there are a lot of opportunities for new knowledge and discoveries not only in the outside world, but also in oneself. I don’t find any special differences in those cities of India where I managed to live. Naturally, life here does not stand still and everything develops. I can say that in some aspects life in Hyderabad, in my personal opinion, has changed for the better. The most striking example, perhaps, is the development of a taxi service.

Woman buying guava from a cart by the road

Tell me, what is your impression of the Indians (Indian women)? What kind of people are in India? How do they differ from, say, the Russians? I understand that everyone is different, but still :))

As you correctly noted, all people are very different. If you try to generalize, you can highlight the following points that differ from the inhabitants of our countries:

· low overall level primary education. Those. I'm talking about skills such as the ability to write and read;
· the most powerful social stratification of society, manifested both in everyday matters, and in access to secondary and higher education, in the possibility of professional realization, etc. etc.;
· rigidity in views and traditions, hypertrophied conservatism;
· gender inequality, which sometimes manifests itself in forms that are even difficult to imagine in our countries;
· the cult of the "white man" and, at the same time, the desire to "use him" in any possible way;
· relaxation in life, read - disorganization, clearly manifested in all aspects of life;
· optional, constant "breakfasts";
· the habit of not refusing, even if they know for sure that they will not be able to come, visit, participate or do something;
· a shift in the concept of personal space, concerning both early unannounced visits, and uncomfortable questions, and a bunch of other things related to the need for tact;
· other

At the same time, I can say that on my way I met a lot of sincere, benevolent, ready to help, versatile, educated, tactful, polite and delightful people.

Oksana with relatives in Omsk

I know from my own experience that India takes some getting used to. After many years of living, I'm sure life gets easier here, but the difficulties are sure to remain. Do you still have these difficulties? What is difficult to get used to in India and accept it?

Yes, Irish, that's right. Moreover, some things that we took for granted in our homeland are either completely absent here or are just beginning to develop. First and foremost for me is the terrible quality of the water. Of course, understanding the scale of this problem in general in India, everything is not so bad in our particular case, but nevertheless. For food purposes, only bottled water should be used. In order to take a bath, you have to add special disinfectant solutions to the water.
Close to the above problem is the rate of dust accumulation in the house. And also a purely female, perhaps a horror story - insects and other domestic animals, with which you often just have to coexist.

It can also be noted low level security for women and children; lack of sidewalks, unacceptable level of public transport, very heavy traffic.

Personally, as long as I live in India, I cannot solve the problem with hairdressing services for so long. I still cut my hair only upon arrival in Russia/Kazakhstan.

Ganesha or Ganapati is one of the most revered gods in India

Tell me, what do you miss in Indian life?

The most important thing is, of course, communication with family and friends. We are flying home with multiple transfers. On the way home in Almaty or Astana we are met by friends. We communicate, share news, learn about plans, joke, fool around and ... laugh. You know, when I start laughing with friends, I understand that for all this time in India since our last meeting, I have not laughed even once, I have not felt that same single wave of acceptance and perception, understandable humor, fun, tomfoolery. ..

Professional implementation? Rather, yes. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to do what is really interesting and important (there is, so to speak, time for yourself), as well as to pay sufficient attention to raising a daughter.

Children's circles are not such a big problem, but compared to their development at home, they are still a kind of test.

Have you learned how to cook Indian food? What are your favorites? What food can you not imagine life without? Let's say if you moved to another country, what would you cook daily or from time to time from Indian cuisine.

Thanks to my husband, who loves and knows how to cook, almost from the first days of my marriage, even when we lived far from my husband's parents and other Indian relatives, I learned how to cook chapati and dal. Gradually I began to navigate the world of spices. I learned and fell in love with vegetables and fruits exotic for our countries. I also really like South Indian snacks - idli and dosa with a variety of chutneys, Gujarati dokla. But I don’t cook them myself yet, I enjoy the wonderful cooking of my mother-in-law.

If I moved to another country, then from Indian cuisine I would certainly leave the habit of using spices in the preparation of any dishes. Be sure to continue to include legumes in the diet, as well as all available vegetables.

The Other Side of Indian Life

Is Indian life different from Russian?

It differs only in the ability to afford the use of workers who come or live permanently with the family to help with cleaning, washing, cooking, etc. But I do everything myself in my space, and in this sense, my life is set up the same way as in my homeland.

How is it with languages? Do you or have you learned the local language? Enough English?

I can say that after moving to India, at first there was a huge interest in learning Hindi, and I even started to learn it from a self-instruction manual. But then it turned out that native language my husband's family is Tamil, and in Hyderabad they generally speak Telugu ... So I decided to concentrate on improving English, and so far I manage to manage only with it.

I know that you are very active in India - participating in various events, singing, taking care of your daughter, blogging, meeting friends. Tell me about your typical day. And what else are you doing?

I also love photography and knitting. J. My typical day can be schematically represented in this way. The morning begins with my daughter getting ready for school, then my husband and I take her by car. After returning, I go for a walk in the nearest park. Then I have household chores and time for hobbies or a side job. At two o'clock I pick up my daughter from school, and then we spend part of the time together - we have lunch, share our impressions, decide on homework and plans for the day ahead, part of the time everyone goes about their own business. In the evening after my husband returns from work, we spend time with the whole family in the lower part of the house where the father-in-laws live, the mother-in-law often cooks dinner for the whole family. Katrinka likes to stay with her grandparents, and my husband and I can also go for groceries and other necessary things.

Oksana will perform a song in Russian "In the Upper Room" at an Indian wedding

Tell me, have your habits or general lifestyle changed since moving to India?

The lifestyle has changed a lot due to the fact that from a workaholic who spent most of his time in the office, communicating with a huge number of people and solving an incredible number of tasks, I turned into a total housewife who had to look for something to do without departing, so to speak, from baby crib. Of course, this was influenced not so much by moving to India as by the birth of a daughter, but still India in this regard is a much tougher limiter than a hometown, where everything is known and where you can rely more on the help of relatives to care for a child.

We all know that India is a land of contrasts. There are both extremely poor and obscenely rich people. Who do you think, to paraphrase the Russian classic, in India live well?

I had to seriously think about the question ... Perhaps, I will answer that, regardless of the material standard of living, in order to live well in India, you need to have an internal state of harmony, the ability to be philosophical about many things that cannot be changed overnight, and the last thing in the enumeration, but not least - to love people. That is, just like that, in principle, to love people ...

Please tell us about your daughter. How different is life in India and Russia (or another country) for a little girl. What are the pros and cons.

Our daughter's name is Katrina. She is 7 years old and is in the second grade. The very first thing that comes to mind is the safety of children. Perhaps, in Russia, she would already be able to go out alone to walk in the yard and go to the nearest shops for bread. In India, I still can't even imagine when I will be able to give her this opportunity. Among the pluses, I can single out natural bilingualism from birth - Katyushka speaks, reads and writes fluently in English and Russian.

Husband of Oksana Srikanth and daughter Katrina at Hyderabad Zoo

Tell me, how do you feel about traditional Indian clothing, in particular, the sari? Do you wear it? How do you feel in such clothes? Do you wear European clothes?

I am good with Indian traditional clothes. I really like saris, but I wear them mostly only for holidays and celebrations. I am also good with simple kameez. Comfortable in extreme heat and for trips to Hindu temples. But still, I wear European clothes more, although adjusted for Indian reality - I don’t open my legs and don’t wear T-shirts. Kurtas (tunics) are very comfortable in everyday life, which can be combined with jeans, leggings, and even long skirts.

Are you traveling in India? Where have you already been, where do you want to go and what would you recommend to visit for those who already live in India or are just about to come/move here?

To my greatest regret, we have practically not traveled in India yet. Somehow everything was not before that - then Small child, then her husband's busy work schedule. At the end of last year, we got out on our first independent trip by car to the neighboring town of Warangal with unique temples and a fort. They were extremely happy. I also managed to visit Goa (Mapsa, Panaji), Agra, get to know Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore a little, live a little in Mumbai and Pune. All these cities have their own attraction, and were interesting for me. Perhaps, I would not even begin to talk about some place in India as a must. But I personally would like to visit Udaipur and Amritsar, visit Kashmir and West Bengal, enjoy the sea in Kerala and visit its tea and coffee plantations, stroll along the promenade in Pondicherry and certainly meet the sunrise and enjoy the sunset in Kanyakumari.

Oksana with Katrina at the observation deck on Lake Gandipet in the suburbs of Hyderabad

What would you recommend to read or see for those who are interested in India, but there is no opportunity to come and see it in person yet?

To be honest, this question baffled me. To paraphrase a well-known saying, we can say that better than personal experience, there can only be personal experience. You can start with general information about the country on Wikipedia, choose from many books, music and movies from India or about India according to your preferences, you can read forums like the Bharat forum or the blogs of the expats who live there.

Tell me, what would you advise tourists to try in India? What new experience to get?

Taste all seasonal fruits and vegetables J and generally try Indian cuisine. As pleasant, useful and tasty things, I would recommend beautiful saris or anarkali, bracelets, incense sticks, sandalwood oil, spices, dried figs ... As souvenirs - actually any souvenirs in the national style.

Women perform the dandia dance wooden sticks) on the final day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Ganesh's birthday). Hyderabad, India.

India is for everyone. What 5 words would you use to describe your experience of living in India?
Spicy, exciting, admiring, testing, grateful.

What can you advise to girls who are planning to connect their lives with an Indian?

Be sure to get to know the parents of the chosen one. Seriously discuss all the points about the distribution of responsibilities in the family, well, visit India and, if possible, in the house (family) of a young man.

Thanks a lot for your answers.

All photos in the interview belong to Oksana, if you want to copy them and use them at your own discretion, please write them

Since the borders of our state opened for its inhabitants, one of the popular decisions of Russians or citizens of the former CIS has been the decision to change their country of residence. Among other popular states, life in India is considered as a simple and comfortable alternative.

The opinions of compatriots who have already decided on such an act differ so much that it is worth carefully assessing the reality of ideas about this almost mythical state for us and the objectivity of what is happening.

India has successfully become a part of the multinational global space.

In reality, like centuries ago, life in India is strictly subject to the rules called "castes".

Until now, every person in this country belongs to a certain caste.

Only officially, no other Indian will pay attention to the caste of his colleague or interlocutor. From point of view official rules, even the legendary caste of untouchables has rights. In fact, the ranking is preserved. It is all the more noticeable, the higher the caste belongs to the one with whom you need to communicate.

India is one of the few countries in which the original wedding traditions that have come from ancient times have been preserved.

Marriages are "concluded" almost always only by senior representatives of families. People in India do not have the right to choose their own partner for further family life. The wedding celebrations are paid for by the bride's family. This is one of the reasons for expecting the birth of a son and not a daughter. The young must belong to a common religion.

The majority of the population is wary of a long-term partnership, especially marriage to a foreigner. A person here cannot and usually does not want to belong to himself, preferring family and national traditions. This will need to be taken into account when dealing with the local population. It is especially not recommended here to show a negative attitude towards accepted norms.

beauty of indian women

Indian women are very beautiful, but not from a European point of view. Relative proximity to our usual standards appearance, personal care differ, rather, Indian movie actresses. In reality, the local beauty is naturally inclined to be overweight. There is no habit of observing dietary restrictions. Most of the girls from early youth are quite full. Even the most slender of them quickly gain weight with age.

Here, European ideas about female age are unusual. As if in our homeland decades ago, marriages are concluded at an early age. The genetic propensity for early aging turns a former beauty by the age of forty into a wise old woman who has long had grandchildren.

In India, they prefer to stick to the usual traditional bright costumes, choose numerous decorations.

Dirt on the streets of India

The unique dirt on the streets of almost any locality of this state has already become a legend. In the tradition of the country there is no practice of the institution of professional cleaners. It is impossible to hear the measured sounds of a broom in the early morning on the local streets. Moreover, professional and regular cleaning is not carried out even in wealthy neighborhoods. In numerous slum areas of this state, real unsanitary conditions reign. This is important to consider even during a normal tourist trip.

Although in areas where the “travellers' path” is being laid, they try to maintain relative cleanliness. But it is enough just to go to the next street to face garbage and dirt again.

The exception is the state of Goa. Where the streets are washed and cleaned, sidewalks and roads are repaired to create for tourists normal conditions for relax.

Poverty

It is worth considering the presence on the streets, even in Delhi, of a large number of beggars. too high for most of the population, which pushes a large number of residents to this, poverty is very common.

An important difference from the usual beggars in our cities is a polite attitude towards a person passing by, they will not beg in India. Separately, it is worth paying attention to the sannyasi. They are clearly visible in bright orange clothes. These are those who consciously chose the path of renunciation of worldly life and its benefits. These wandering monks don't ask for money. They are used to serving food. In this state, meeting a sannyasi and helping him is considered a good deed. Most of them live permanently in ashrams.

You can see the price tag in a cafe in South Goa in the next video.

Despite the large number of beggars, there is virtually no theft. Even children are not fond of petty theft among Europeans. Thefts are very rare, and minimal measures of respect for your belongings are enough.

All these factors, especially the level of poverty in India, should be taken into account when planning to move permanently or temporarily to this country. Or even in a tourist trip situation.

The role of religion in life

The people of India are not as religious as it is commonly believed. Most of them believe in karma and reincarnation. But it is approximately at a similar level with us in the fulfillment of Christian commandments.

But it is important to pay attention to the lack of tolerance between representatives of different religions, often described as "friendship" between representatives of different faiths. Most repatriates to this country note rather a negative attitude between supporters of different faiths. Most of the population, about 80%, professes Hinduism. About 13% of the inhabitants profess Islam. Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches. The locals are wary of those who decide to convert to Hinduism.

Here, despite the low standard of living, a large one has been operating for a long time. Including the children and grandchildren of those who left Russia in search of a better life during the first emigration waves after the October Revolution and the years of the formation of Soviet power. The inhabitants of our country stand out, in different years, contrary to the customs of this state, who created families with Hindus. Most often, a resident of Russia marries an Indian. This is due to the demographic bias.

Official statistics prove that there are more men in the country at the age when they start families than women. The growth in the number of such unions is also facilitated by the strict qualifications for choosing a bride from compatriots. A potential husband must meet strict caste and financial requirements. As a result, finding a spouse abroad is becoming easier and more profitable for many Indians.

The number of potential emigrants to India is noticeably restrained by the policy of official Delhi.

The authorities willingly accept supporters of spiritual practices for temporary residence. They are sympathetic to the long-term residence in their territory of the owners of free professions, earning a living through remote employment. Such guests can even get a residence permit.

Becoming an Indian citizen is much more difficult. There are a lot of requirements for applicants. In addition, for an expat, life in India is incredibly difficult. This is due to a large number of factors.

From the video below, you can learn how to move to India for permanent residence from Russia.

Labor market congestion

This state in terms of population is in second place on the planet. At the same time, most of the population belongs to a young age. More than 140 million local residents reach working age in 2020. For this reason, it is quite difficult for a repatriate to try to break into the labor market. Today, even among the local population is very high.

This is further exacerbated by a significant percentage of job seekers who apply for highly paid positions. More than 500 applicants with proper education and work experience apply for one position in an international corporation. As a result, more than 80% of working citizens of the state are employed in the shadow sector of the economy. Unemployment in India is incredibly high.

From a trip to India, foreigners have conflicting impressions. This country amazes someone with its poverty and devastation, but for someone it becomes the best place for life. Many come to India to restore spiritual strength and discover creative abilities.

Life here has its pros and cons. The disadvantages include:

• high taxes;
• poor healthcare and infrastructure;
• too hot climate;
• unusual food;
• high unemployment;
• low salaries;
• high illiteracy rate;
• crime;
• low social culture.

But life here has its perks. People in India live for themselves and are in no hurry. After noisy cities, immigrants like this measured lifestyle. Compared to Europe and Russia, here are cheap products, high-quality fruits and vegetables. India has ideal conditions for leading a healthy lifestyle and practicing yoga.

General information about the country: state structure, climate, economy, ecology

The Republic of India is located in South Asia and borders by sea and land with China, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives and a number of other states. It is the largest South Asian country.

India is washed by the Indian Ocean, surrounded by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The country lies in four climatic zones: from humid tropical to alpine. It is hot and humid from June to October, and relatively cool from November to February. V different regions in January the temperature can be around +15 degrees, and in June it rises to +48. From June to October, the temperature throughout the territory is approximately the same everywhere - +28.

The head of state is the president, elected by the people for a five-year term, and the head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power is exercised by the Parliament, which consists of two chambers - the Council of States and the House of the People. executive power in addition to the president and prime minister, the council of ministers.

The Indian economy is the 12th largest in the world, and in terms of GDP growth, it has become one of the fastest growing in recent years. One of the reasons why this began to happen is cheap labor. The common man in India lives in poverty and is willing to work almost for free. This explains the low cost of Indian goods. India grows potatoes, rice, sugarcane, tea, and cotton. Mining is being carried out here, the chemical, textile, oil, food and automotive industries are developing.

The development of industry and a large population negatively affect the ecology not only of India, but of the entire mainland. The main environmental problems of the country today are soil degradation, deforestation, landfills, air and water pollution.

Population: number, nationalities, density, literacy, occupations, culture, mentality

A huge number of people live in India. Today it is the second most populous state in the world after China. More than 1.3 billion people live here. And the population density is 364 people / km². Representatives of different nations and nationalities live here, including Bengalis, Jats, Tamils ​​and others. There are immigrants from neighboring Asian states and Europe. According to reviews, the local population is poorly educated. The average literacy rate is about 65%. The unwillingness to study is explained both by low income and the unwillingness to change something in one's life. The vast majority of the inhabitants of India have been engaged in agriculture for centuries and are not going to leave the village, therefore they do not consider it necessary to receive an education. A smaller part of the population is employed in industry and the tourism business. Many work in clothing factories that are in demand all over the world.

Indian culture is one of the oldest in the world. Many monuments of literature and architecture have been preserved. Thousands of pilgrims come to visit thousand-year-old monasteries and other holy places, touch antiquities and see incendiary Indian dances. It was in India that such religions as Buddhism and Hinduism originated. But today, in addition to their representatives, there are Christians, Muslims and pagans here. Officially, the country is a secular state.

A feature of the local mentality is a respectful attitude towards ancient traditions. Here they wear national clothes, speak Hindi, honor elders and gurus, and still divide society into castes. Hindus do not seek to change their social status and earn more. They are sure that what is happening in a person’s life is determined by higher forces, and he has no power over this. Here it is not customary to rush, and the word "stress" is unknown to Hindus.

Demanded professions and salary

Despite high unemployment, India needs highly qualified specialists in various fields. For many years, the list of the most sought-after professions includes the following:

• biotechnologist;
• surgeon;
• dentist;
• anesthetist;
• pharmacist;
• IT specialist;
• civil engineer;
• programmer;
• mechanical engineer.

Teachers are also required high school, translators, specialists in the field of tourism. Salaries in India are much lower than the European level. The average annual income of a resident of the country is $2,700. But the gap between the salaries of representatives of different professions is very large. In cities, people receive about $83 a month, and in the countryside - no more than $60. The highest paid professions are a programmer, an engineer, an IT specialist, a therapist. The latter receives about $225 per month. In India, the minimum wage is $57.

Search for available vacancies for migrants

Russians attracted to life in India find work in the tourism business. Migrants work as guides, photographers, dancers, masseurs. Instructors in extreme water sports are in demand - diving, rafting, paragliding. To live and work here, a migrant needs to know the language well.

You can work in India only on a work visa. Illegal workers are deported and blacklisted. The punishment also threatens the employer - he can be fined or put in jail.

Benefits for Russian immigrants

India is not the most prosperous country. There is a low standard of living, high unemployment, a huge gap between the rich and the poor, high taxes, bad medicine. And yet this country is of interest to Russian migrants. The settlers are interested ancient culture and the religion of this country. They like warm weather. During the Russian winter, many freelancers come here.

The lifestyle of Indians and Russians is different:

Features of lifestyle in Russia	Features of lifestyle in India
Insufficiently high level of culture, which has been increasing in recent years	The complete absence of a culture of behavior in society
Basically, a positive attitude towards foreigners. They are almost always ready to help.	Negative attitude towards foreigners. Especially to those who do not speak Hindi
An indifferent attitude to what is happening around. Desire to solve social and environmental problems, fight corruption	Indifference to everything and unwillingness to improve your life
In mixed marriages, they try to communicate in two languages ​​and teach them to each other. A child in such a family speaks two languages	Even in blended families, they only communicate in Hindi or English. Hindu does not want to learn the language of his foreign wife
People strive to get an education and constantly improve the quality of their knowledge.	Low literacy rate. The local population does not have the means and the desire to get an education. The vast majority lack traction

These things need to be taken into account by an immigrant before moving to a new place.

How ordinary people live in India: standard of living

India has low food prices compared to Europe:

A trip by public transport will cost $ 0.3, and a taxi - 2.27. For lunch in a cafe you need to pay $ 2.5-6. A liter of gasoline in India costs $1.12.

Housing prices in different cities differ significantly. In the center of Mumbai 1 sq.m. costs $6850, and $2640 on the outskirts of the city, $3000-1250 in New Delhi, $1400-700 in Kolkata. Indian citizens can take out mortgages at a rate of 9.9%. Only wealthy people can buy their own housing. Many have to rent rooms and apartments. There are many homeless people in the country, because many do not have enough money to pay for rent. per month for public Utilities owner one-room apartment pays around $20 home Internet- $18, and for mobile communication - $5.

The way they live in India simple people, depends on the region of their residence and profession. The highest salaries are for medical workers and programmers in cities, the least for rural residents, but the average annual income of a resident of the country is $ 2,700.

From any income, a resident must pay a tax from 10% to 31.5%: from salaries, profits on deposits, sales of something. The country has social programs to support different segments of the population. Benefits are received by the disabled, the unemployed, widows and other categories of citizens. The size of the pension varies from state to state. On average, the payout is about $3-7. The highest payments are received by pensioners who worked in the public service. Life expectancy in India is almost 69 years. And citizens are erased to work until old age, because the pension of many, as a rule, is lower living wage — $57.

In India, there is free medicine, but the level of services provided is very low, they are used only by the poorest citizens of the country. Quality medical care in the country can be obtained only for money. In the photo, paid Indian clinics look like five-star hotels, but only wealthy people can afford treatment in them. The initial appointment with a therapist will cost 500-1500 rubles. Many pharmaceutical factories are located in India, so medicines here are tens and hundreds of times cheaper than in Russia.

The country's government is trying to fight illiteracy, but so far without success. Citizens of the country can get free school education, but many parents try to enroll their children in private schools. The system of higher education is well developed here. There are 220 universities and more than 10,000 colleges in the country. Education in universities is paid. A year of study costs $15,000. Budget places are allocated, but they are few. Upon graduation, a student can receive a master's, bachelor's or doctoral degree.

India is a very unsafe country. Theft is common here different types fraud. Looting and rape often occur. Tourists are advised not to visit dangerous areas, keep all valuables in the hotel only in a safe, and keep your bag firmly on the streets.

Standard of living by cities and regions

How people live in India varies by city and state. The highest wealth among residents of large cities. So, the average salary per year in Mumbai is $ 829, in New Delhi - $ 612, in Kochi - $ 532, in Calcutta - $ 503, in Panaji - $ 365. The most expensive purchase of an apartment or house will cost in Mumbai and New Delhi, and cheaper - in Jaipur.

The southwestern regions of the country are considered the most developed and richest. The standard of living in the central and northern parts of the country is lower. The most prosperous state is Chandigarh, and the most disadvantaged is Bihar.

Temples of India and their inhabitants

Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to India for one thing - to visit its legendary ancient temples. It is said that there are about a million of them in the country.

The most famous of them is the Shiva Temple at Baijanath. It was built in the 13th century. It is here that the largest image of Shiva is located. Another legendary building is the Golden Temple on the banks of the Ganges. Every Buddhist should visit this temple and then bathe in the sacred river. You should definitely visit the Temple of Love, the Temple of Brajeshwari Devi and the Lotus Temple. Unusual place- Temple of rats in the village of Deshnyuk. It is inhabited by rodents, which are considered sacred animals here. Also, monkeys, snakes and other exotic animals live in some local temples.

Russian communities: where they live and how

According to statistics, no more than 1,000 Russian immigrants officially live in the country. This number includes persons who have obtained Indian citizenship or permanent residence. But according to other sources, this figure is much higher - almost 2 million.

Russians in India mostly live in Delhi. The largest Russian community in the country is located in the Indian capital. The Delhi Association of Russian Compatriots has been functioning here for more than 12 years. Its representatives organize Russian holidays, teach Russian in schools, and even organized classes in Russian ballet.

Visa to India for Russians

To visit India, Russian citizens need a visa, which can be obtained online or at the country's diplomatic mission. The procedure for obtaining a tourist visa is simplified, and foreigners who want to get acquainted with local customs and ancient traditions, visit ancient temples, will not have any problems entering the country.

What visas need to be issued

For foreign citizens to travel to India, visas of the following types are issued:

• tourist;
• student;
• business;
• transit;
• working.

Student get foreigners who will be trained in Indian universities. Citizens of other states can apply only for paid places. The basis for issuing a visa will be a certificate of tuition fees and a letter confirming admission to the university.

Business visas are obtained by applicants who only plan to open their business in the country. They are also received by those who have already registered an individual entrepreneur and are heading to the country to meet with business partners and develop their business. A work visa is issued only to specialists who have entered into an employment contract with an Indian company and received an official job. Such visas are issued to representatives of professions that are in short supply in India.

Entry permits are also issued for those wishing to study religion or take yoga courses. Tourists receive a visa for three months or six months. The transit visa is valid for 15 days, but you can stay in the state for no more than three days. The validity of student, work and business visas is determined individually. It depends on the duration of the training or the duration of the contract.

Indian visas are single, double and multiple entry. On them you can cross the border one, two or an unlimited number of times, respectively.

Where are the required documents issued?

Russians can obtain entry permits at the consulate in Moscow or St. Petersburg. You can also apply for a visa online, and put a stamp on arrival in the country.

The following documents are required to obtain a visa:

• international passport and a copy of its first page;
• a copy of the first page and the page with the registration of the civil passport;
• questionnaire in two copies;
• photograph 3.5x4 cm.

Tourists apply hotel reservation, round-trip air tickets, travel voucher. For a private visit, you need an invitation from relatives. Students also submit a certificate from the university, those wishing to obtain a work visa - documents confirming employment, and entrepreneurs - a certificate of registration of individual entrepreneurs. To obtain all types of visas, except for transit and tourist, you need a certificate from the bank and from the place of work/study.

Terms and cost of registration

Russian citizens receive a visa within four days. But the deadline may change if the consulate needs to additionally request documents or verify information.

For a single entry visa for three months, you need to pay 2750 rubles, a double entry visa for six months costs 6185 rubles. Registration multiple will cost 8250r. Each foreigner must also pay a consular fee - $100.

e-visa

Indian visa can also be obtained online. To do this, the applicant fills out a questionnaire on the embassy website, submits documents and pays the state duty. His application is considered within three days, and if everything is in order with the documents, confirmation comes to email. It must be printed and presented at the airport upon arrival.

So far, such a visa is issued only to tourists, but in the future, students and entrepreneurs will be able to receive it. An electronic visa is issued for a month no more than twice a year.

Possible reasons for refusal

An entry permit may be refused if the applicant provides an incomplete package of documents, or they contain false information, or if he has previously been denied a visa.

An unemployed person or a young unmarried woman can be denied a visa. In this case, applicants may be suspected of intending to emigrate illegally. Do not issue a visa to those who have unpaid fines and taxes. The personal factor cannot be ruled out. If the candidate arouses suspicion or personal dislike among the visa officer, he will be denied permission.

Registration of a residence permit

Foreigners who come to India to do business can get a residence permit. But it is not enough just to open a company, it is necessary to create jobs for Indians and pay taxes. The greater the number of jobs for local residents, the greater the likelihood of obtaining a residence permit.

Residence permits are obtained by foreigners who have entered an Indian university and specialists who are officially employed. For those who want to immigrate to India permanently, it is better to first enter a university and try to find a job in your specialty during your studies. But you need to understand that in this poor, overpopulated country, finding a job is almost impossible. Representatives of rare professions are needed here: doctors, translators, engineers.

Another way to get a residence permit is to marry or marry an Indian citizen. But to get legal status, you need to prove the sincerity of the relationship. If a couple is suspected of having a fictitious marriage, the foreigner will be deported from the country.

Obtaining permanent residence and citizenship

A temporary residence permit is issued for a year, but it can be extended an unlimited number of times. After some time, a foreigner can apply for permanent residence - the validity period is from five to ten years.

Ten years after the move, he can apply for citizenship. To become an Indian citizen, the applicant must

• good knowledge of Hindi and English;
• within the last year not to leave the country;
• not have problems with the law;
• have a permanent job.

The applicant takes the official Hindi exam. It not only shows knowledge of the language, but also answers questions about religion and the history of the country. Due to the bureaucracy, an application for citizenship here can take several years to process.

What do we know about India? In the imagination of most people, it seems to be a fabulous, romantic and mysterious country. But what is real life like in India? How strong is its economy? What is the size in India today?

Geographical location and general information about the country

(this is the official name of the country) is a large state in South India with a rich history and culture. It is the birthplace of the ancient Indus civilization, which has achieved significant success in art, urban planning and agriculture.

Modern India occupies the entire Hindustan peninsula, extends to the Himalayan mountains in the north, and has wide access to the ocean in the south. From the western side, it is washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, and from the southeast - by the Bay of Bengal. The total length of the coastline of India reaches 7500 kilometers.

Today India is home to 1.34 billion people (2017). In terms of population, it ranks second in the world, second only to China. Although, according to scientists, by the middle of the 21st century, India can overtake China in the “demographic race” and take a firm first position.

What does India produce? The country's economy and its structure

India is one of the strongest and fastest growing economies in Asia. The country has the fourth largest GDP in the world ($4.7 trillion). However, per capita income is low at $2,700 per year. According to this indicator, the country ranks only 118th in the world.

The structure of India's GDP is as follows:

• 18% - industry.
• 28% - agricultural sector.
• 54% - the service sector.

The main branches of the Indian economy are automotive, electronics, mining, oil, chemicals, food and pharmaceutical industries. The country is the largest supplier to the world market of mica, bauxite, various equipment, textiles, agricultural raw materials, as well as software and medicines.

The country's economy consumes a huge amount of energy resources (in particular, oil and coal). Agriculture India is extensive. Rice, tea, wheat, cotton, jute, and sugar cane are grown here. Among other things, India is a significant donor of investment. Most of the Indian funds are invested in the economies of Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands and the United States.

Currency and average salary in India

The monetary unit in India is the rupee. Fractional coin - pice. Rupee to dollar exchange rate: 68:1 (as of May 2018). That is, for one American dollar you can buy 68. For 100 Russian rubles, you can get about 110 rupees.

The currency of India is presented in coins and banknotes. The smallest denomination in the country is 5 rupees, and the largest is 2,000. The exchange rate of the rupee against the dollar, euro or ruble is constantly changing, so it is recommended to use online currency calculators.

The average salary in India according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) for 2017 is $223 per month. According to this indicator, the country occupies a disappointing 121st place in the world. The monthly minimum wage in the state is 4,000 rupees ($60) for rural areas and 5,500 rupees ($82) for urban areas. It should be noted that the value of the average salary in India has a significant regional differentiation. Thus, the ranking of cities with the highest earnings includes Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa and Calcutta.

Standard of living in the country: main indicators

In the ranking of states by index human development(HDI) India is ranked 131st, between Bhutan and Honduras. In general, India is a country of striking contrasts, where the stratification of society is quite noticeable.

In one city, the poorest slums can coexist with fashionable hotels, boutiques and expensive restaurants. Part of the Indians live in terrible conditions, eating mainly rice and vegetables. At the same time, other segments of the population can afford to have a permanent servant of housekeepers, gardeners and cooks. A list of the following statistical facts will help to better understand the standard of living in India:

• A third of the country's population are illiterate (cannot read and write).
• 90% of Indian cities do not have sewerage.
• Only half of India's cities have access to clean piped water.
• About 300 million people in the country are deprived of access to electrical networks.
• Only 20 major cities in India have municipal public transport.
• Nearly a quarter of India's population lives below the poverty line (less than two dollars a day).

"No force can stop our country on the path to progress!" - these words were recently uttered by the Prime Minister of India. Indeed, India is already among the world leaders in the field of IT technologies. Light industry and high-precision production are developing at a rapid pace. However, whether all this will affect the well-being of the Indians - time will tell.

Let's also find out how things are in India with medicine, education and landscaping.

The medicine

According to numerous reviews of our compatriots who moved to distant India for one reason or another, the situation with medicine there is far from ideal. Medical services in this country are either very expensive or cheap, but of extremely poor quality. However, in recent years, India has become one of the centers of "medical tourism". This is due to the presence of a fairly large number of professional English-speaking doctors.

A large percentage of private and public clinics are equipped with the latest technology, and they employ real professionals. By the way, many of them studied abroad (including in post-Soviet countries). However, treatment in such clinics is available to only 10% of the Indian population.

Education

At this stage, the state is trying to provide school education to absolutely all its inhabitants, including those who live in slums and villages. But many families living in poverty and poverty prefer to send their children not to school, but to work from an early age. Child labor is a serious problem in modern India.

Today, there are about 500 universities in the country. Technical specialties are especially popular. Education in most universities is conducted on English language. The cost of one year of study at an Indian university is about 15 thousand dollars. However, a person with a higher education has a good chance of finding a decent and high paying job in my country.

Transport and landscaping

Within the country it is possible to move on various types transport: from traditional trains and buses to very exotic bike and auto rickshaws. The most developed rail transport. The entire territory of India (with the exception of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir) is covered by a dense network of railways. In recent years, air traffic between major Indian cities has been actively developing.

The improvement of public spaces in India is in an extremely deplorable state. In many settlements, in fact, there are no recreational zones at all. The streets are rarely equipped with sidewalks, there are very few parks and squares. Some Indian hotels offer a unique service - the so-called "day pass". At this time, you can be in the well-groomed territory of the hotel and use a certain list of amenities.

In India, there is a rather acute problem with sanitary cleaning. Dirt and garbage on city streets is quite a familiar picture for this country.

Prices for products and services

In India, prices for local vegetables and fruits are very low. They are very tasty as they are always fresh and available. all year round. Dairy products are more expensive (a liter of good milk costs about 80 rupees), and cheeses are very difficult to find in local stores. The choice of meat is also very limited. More details about food prices are described in the following video.

Communication and Internet services, as well as travel are quite cheap. Clothes and shoes are also cheap. Price for household appliances roughly comparable to Russian ones.

Finally…

Summarizing all of the above: is it worth thinking about emigration to this country? If you look for work here - then only in the field of high technology. Opportunity to work part-time in the tourism industry. As for working specialties, the salaries in India in dollars are extremely low. It is important to note that it is quite difficult for a foreigner to find a job here. To get a work visa to India, you need to conclude a contract with a local employer. At the same time, the monthly salary should not be lower than 2100 US dollars.