India is Filthy
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A couple of weeks ago I posted about the fact that India is much cleaner than we expected.
Well, the minute I posted that article, I have been eating my words.
India is Filthy.
People Ignore Garbage in the Street
Ever since that day, India has become progressively worse. You see, we started our journey through the country in the South of India. We had heard all of the stories about the garbage, the cow dung, the pollution etc. We thought that we should ease our way into India so that we would be more prepared once we traveled north.
Goa was so nice, it had people cleaning the beaches each morning. (Except for the cow carcass that the dogs gnawed on each day) We even saw garbage trucks go by every once in a while. Hampi may have been rough around the edges but it was still possible to walk without a gagging on a regular basis.
Kerala almost seems sanitized at this point and Mumbai, well lets just say, I would love to go back to Mumbai. It had a few sidewalks that we could walk on. It had a few garbage cans here and there and it even had a waterfront path to escape the traffic. We didn’t even see cows in Coloba or the Fort District.
In retrospect I think that we may have made the wrong choice starting in the south. I think that if we traveled in the opposite direction we would have witnessed India becoming cleaner as we go. Sure it would have been just baby steps to cleanliness, but with each city we would have noticed an improvement.
Homeless Man sleeping (we hope) in Street
Instead we are seeing a dirtier and dirtier India with each stop.
We have become so grossed out in the North that we just may wimp out after Varanasi and the tiger sanctuary and skip out of Dodge while we still have happy thoughts about India.
Garbage everywhere but in the Can
Rajasthan has been noticeably a mess.
Our first stop was Udaipur and we loved that town. Sure, it had cow dung and garbage in the streets. The lake was polluted and at times you could smell the stench of urine where men had peed against the wall, but it wasn’t too bad.
Public Urinals, No way I'd go there
As we have moved on, each city has become more cluttered with refuse, human waste is in the streets along with the cow dung. Open sewers flow along the buildings foundations of old cities and it is impossible to walk anywhere. The filth was becoming more apparent with each day.
Yes, I am eating my words. I admit it, I take everything back.
India is Filthy.
Garbage Piles and adds to the Filth
Garbage in the Alley leading to raw open sewage
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Now that we are in Rajasthan, we wonder why the governing body doesn’t get its act together. There is no need to live in this waste.
There are a billion people in India, it should be easy to employ people to clean up the street. Why not put in some garbage cans? That would be a great start. If things are too disgusting to start off, why not put your criminals to work? We have punishments in Canada where people are sentenced to community service.
Dave and I walk around daily and state how there isn’t a reason for all this mess. Well, we can’t talk while we are walking. I have to assume the position of walking behind him while he leads the way. It is impossible to walk side by side. We must walk in single file. We have to walk on the road with the cars, the rickshaws and the cows and oh yeah, the filth.
Don't throw Garbage Sign, Nobody Listens, India is still Filthy
We commented to each other that India is very bad for the relationship. We never get to hold hands or socialize while we walk. Nope, walking in India is work.
I have to walk with my scarf around my nose to block out the disgusting smells that linger in the air. We have to watch where we step, we can never take our eye off the road. One lapse in concentration and you could easily be stepping in a gooey mess of giant poop. Maybe they should have touts sell hip waders I’m sure they would be a big hit! All the while you have to dodge buses, cars, rickshaws and the odd loogie of spit coming out of windows or flying through the air from somewhere. You may trip over a homeless guy sleeping in the street… or a sleeping dog. Cows don’t move for anything and you have to fend off touts and beggars the entire time.
You want an adventure? Try going out for a leisurely stroll in India.
Stench of Urination in the Streets
The temples are beautiful, the forts are nice, but the waste, the shit and garbage are such a turn off that we are really considering leaving the country. What can I say, we’ve reached our limit. We are Canada’s Wimpy Couple rather than Canada’s Adventure Couple. We just can’t get passed the feces and rotting food in the street.
It really makes us appreciate what we have in in Canada. A Garbage Union. Those guys deserve all the money they are making and more!
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Thanks for the other side of the story. I have heard about it but never really see the pictures from it. Even my brother who visited recently only took the nice temple and palace pictures. Now, this is real adventure!
.-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Dreaming of – Seoul, South Korea With Kids =-.
I am glad that you liked it Amy. It is true, the nice temples and palace photos are pretty, but all you have to do is turn around for the other photo. The filth is everywhere except inside the temples. Crazy.
Yes, the filth is every where. I feel ashamed to say, its because of our poor mentality. Lack of being educated.
Ha! I wish I could argue with you, but it’s the truth. I started north and went south — and wished I’d spent more time in the south as a result. Varanasi (VeryNasti) is probably the worst I encountered. Narrow streets combined with all the cow traffic will make you appreciate your boots.
That said, Varanasi is very much worth it — a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Happy travels!
.-= Johnny Vagabond´s last blog ..Travel Blog Round Up — 5 Favorite Posts =-.
Ahhh Johnny, Can’t wait for VaryNasti. It is just going to get worse isn’t it?
Ha i just love how people simply look at the negative side of things. Perhaps you forgot to upload the beautiful photos outside rural villages or maybe even forgot to take photos? You guys are nice tourists, taking photos of garbage. Just goes to show how highly you americans think of yourselves. Try going to chandigarh and kasauli (which is near the mountains) and continue to take photos of trash will you? Meantime, i’ll head over to the US and take photos of your fat backsides and how you are being controlled by the new world order. Btw theres nothing great about your current country, infact you guys are causing many problems for the rest of the world with your horrible western influence.
I always appreciate a less sentimental, realistic (okay maybe pessimistic) perspective of third-world travel. I’ve done it through countless countries and the experience is wavering.
From cat-callers in Bali pushing young women (young boys at times) as you walk buy to a country nearly entirely focused on ripping you off in Bolivia, third world travel isn’t for the light of heart.
Regardless, I would love to see India. Here in the US we’ve been a well organized society from the start, which only occurred because the age when our culture and country were started.
Keep the travel truths comin’!
Garrett. So true, many places can be tough. I didn’t know that Bolivia was that bad. Pity.
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You are not Canada’s Wimpy Couple! Aspects of India can be incredibly frustrating and trying, and it is normal to get fed up! I know I keep saying it, but I think you are so lucky it was not stifling hot when you were there. Imagine the smells and the dirt intensified in 50 degree heat….not pretty.
When you kept talking about how easy India was at first, I wondered if Mike and I were the wimps. I now realize that the South must be so different!
I am glad you went though, and stuck it out. You will be so happy you did!
I have to say, I was expecting this part of India. I knew that the south was going to be much better. The south was cleaner, but it still was by no means immaculate!
It will never be, Take some time to see something else then Filthy areas. Enjoy your stay, Enjoy your trip.
I can’t wait to see how this all turns out! This is the part about India that makes me the most nervous…I guess I’m glad we are starting in the north and moving south though something could be said about easing in gradually. I feel that we will deserve some time on the beach when it is all over!
Did you make it to Ranthambhore National Park?
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Falls, Geysers and Lagoons: The Wet and Weird Wonderland of Iceland =-.
Tracy, I don’t think that there is any good way to start. We thought starting in the south would prepare us for the north, but nothing can prepare you. At least you will leave India with a better taste in your mouth than we will. You will remember it as beeing not too bad:)
Great post as always. We found it really hard to accept the filth in India, and got so frustrated as it seems so senseless. We caught a train in the north and sat with an Aussie couple and a lovely young Indian couple. The Indian couple threw their crisp packets and bottles straight out of the window. When they saw us carefully wrapping our rubbish to put back in our backpacks the guy offered to ‘get rid of it’ for us. We politely declined, and he was so uncomfortable throwing anything else out in front of us that he had a steady build up of garbage within a few hours. No pretensions that we changed even one person’s attitude, but if we at least made him self-concious of throwing stuff mindlessly out of the window then it’s a result.
.-= Andy Jarosz´s last blog ..The smiling faces of Laos =-.
Andy. We had the same thing happen to us. We were sitting with upper class Indians on the train and late in the trip the trash was full. Dave went to throw something in it (it was beside the bathroom) and it was overflowing, he walked around to see some more and one of the guys that was sitting with us said “I’ll get rid of it for you” Dave thought that he knew of another garbage can, instead he threw it out the door. Couldn’t believe it!
LOL! We spent three weeks in the north of India, and were very happy to come home! We’d been sending out these polite little factual emails to all our friends since we have many who are Indian and we didn’t want to be insulting. When we arrived home a good friend (who’s Indian) picked us up at the airport and took us out to dinner. “How was it, really?” he asked. “Well…,” I responded. “I TOLD YOU SO!”
Don’t give up quite yet – the Golden Temple in Amritsar is AMAZING and unbelievably clean! No one will hassle you there, either! We even ate in the Languar (public kitchen) and no one even asked us for a donation – we had to search for the box which wasn’t even labeled in English!!!
The public urinals is a bit funny, really. I mean, maybe it would be more accurate to label some part of India that you CAN’T pee on. Or worse. In plain view of everyone. We have photos of the paan spit in the corner of those beautiful temples…
Thank you for your honesty. Now you’ve convinced me that maybe we do want to go back to the south of India some day!
Ian and Wendy
Thanks Ian and Wendy! We won’t give up. The Golden Temple is high on our list and we are going to finish seeing what we have to see for sure. We don’t want to have to come back:) The south is better.
I would really have loved to see the south the way you describe it – I have no idea what a truly clean India even looks like! That being said, north of Dehli got a bit cleaner. Amritsar was also dirty, but McLeod Ganj was actually pretty clean – and I’ve heard Manali is great too. Oh, Rishikesh is also fairly dirty, but nothing like some of the towns in Rajasthan. I was really looking forward to more India stories, so I hope you make it back – have you done Rishikesh yet?
.-= Shannon OD´s last blog ..A Little Confession…My SEO Job aka Why I’m Not a “Real” Backpacker =-.
Don’t worry Shannon, we will still be traveling India. We have so much more to see! A little break is in order though:) Thanks for all of the heads up on the dirty places. The south is better, but remember, we went in with low expectations. This is what we were expecting in the south, so we were pleasantly surprised when it was fairly clean. They still have a long way to go. Still cow crap and garbage etc. Just not nearly a much!
hahaha! You are not a wimpy couple! Everyone says that India is disgusting and the proof is in the pudding. I have heard you either love it or you hate it so you guys have done very well. It’s hard traveling for sure. I can’t wait to go but it is very nervewracking to think of as well.
I agree, there is no reason for the filth everywhere. The problem I think comes from the fact that inherently people are not clean. I know it seems bizarre but it’s true. It’s something you learn. I had a friend who worked as a counselor to immigrants in the US, specifically people from 3rd world or war ravaged countries. The lice, the scabies, oh god it was all so gross but the thing I never got over is that she would actually have to go their homes and SHOW them how to clean. They just didn’t know. They were used to living in filth and didn’t know how to be clean because they were never taught. She used to tell them “If you don’t keep your house and your kids clean, the government will take them away, it’s not like how it is in your home country.” They just didn’t get it. They would let their kids play in the middle of busy streets and she said bugs would be crawling all over the walls. She took a bunch of kids out for ice cream once and ended up with scabies in her car. That was a disaster to clean.
I think it is disgusting and it seems weird that people don’t want cleanliness but it really is a learned behavior. They obviously don’t think it’s that gross to shit in the street or they wouldn’t do it.
You’re having quite the adventure!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to vacation in a war zone – Part 2 of a 5 part series. =-.
Bethany, that is very interesting and I totally think that you are right. I think that you have to learn cleanliness. As we travel more and to harder places, we even let ourselves go. While we are in Canada we shower everyday, here we can go for days and not think anything of it!
Hi! I am a Indian and stayed like almost all of my life in Canada. I don’t know about you guys but I love INDIA(might be ‘coz i’ve stayed like 5 years out there).I hardly go to India, but when i do i love it as i said before, i know its dirty and all but look past the dirtiness dude. I know that you say that India is so dirty and all, and i agree ‘coz i know its dirty like hell, but its kinda the people’s fault but its even the gov’t. Over here you’ve not gotta pay for school fees and stuff like that ‘coz you get help from the gov’t bt not in India,out there you have gotta do everything by yourself. Okay, so you talk about the people don-not take shower out there,you know whats the truth that there isn’t any clean water to even drink so the hell with a shower, and seriously if you wanna see India you need to check places like Chail, Ranthambore, Manali and much more of these kind of places. I don’t know about the south ‘coz i have never been there but I love the north(ignore the dirty things)like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal pradesh.
I can’t imagine why the government doesn’t provide adequate public facilities, such as toilets, so people don’t go in the street, or at the very least to encourage people to throw their garbage in appropriate receptacles…..
Bethany is right – cleanliness is a learned behavior, but if the government of India would take steps to change what Indian society considers acceptable and what is not, the public would learn pretty quickly. The problem wouldn’t go away, but it would improve dramatically.
And what would pressure the government to take such steps? A drop in tourism. If more tourists would be honest, like you are, and show pictures of the filth instead of just beautiful temples, fewer visitors would want to go there with romantic visions of a bollywood-style India.
.-= Trisha Miller´s last blog ..Research: A Key to Great Travel Writing =-.
I agree Trisha, we blame the government. They could do something about it. Adding garbage cans would be a huge plus! And it is true, more people need to talk about the filth because it really isn’t fun to travel through. Who wants to look at crap all day?
wow I should have warned you about that. our trip was mostly in Northern India and cross-over to Nepal, but w/ an exception of Bombay/Mumbai. In the rural areas (not sure if you seen it already) cow dung stuck all over the walls to dry, then use as source for heat in the colder months. Peeing along the road is very common too. In fact, many of the villagers who live along the Ganges river go off to the river in the morning to do their business there and wash their face in the same water.
Varanasi and Bodha Gaya are totally worth the visit. As Buddhists it was to us and that was the reason why we went anyway. But my advice, don’t miss it.
You’ve made it this far, keep going. It’s worth it!
.-= GotPassport´s last blog ..Yes, a Confession! =-.
Thanks GotPassport. We are still going to visit everything that you mentioned, we are just going to take a little break to come back with a fresh mind and new attitude:)
I think one of the big problems with India’s filth is that the cows are able to roam free – because they are sacred – and poop wherever they want, leaving huge piles of crap on the street and sidewalk everywhere. I’m curious to hear your impressions of Varanasi – that’s a city of contrasts. It’s fascinating, but also filthy.
The men peeing against the wall at all times really infuriated me, especially as there was never a public toilet for women. It got to the point that I’d laugh at men as they’d pee near me or run off the bus and pee right in front of it.
Hope you’re enjoying Sri Lanka. Sounds like it was the right time to get out of India and take a break.
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Ecuador, More Than Just the Galapagos: Photo Essays and Panoramas =-.
So True Audrey. We always talk about how happier they would be in a pasture. I don’t think that they actually love walking around the street eating plastic and garbage. One person told us that the cows walking in the street are the useless cows. Cows that can give milk and babies are in people’s back yards, the cows that don’t give anything are let out to roam on the street.
We are loving Sri Lanka, it really is a beautiful country!
One thing travelers would have to take into consideration is the culture and religion of the country, which plays a pretty big part. In many countries, especially Asia, religion plays a big part. That’s not to say the Hindu religion is a filthy one. Perhaps there is a creed or belief in it that encourages a certain practice, which in turn leads to the chaos you saw. If most Indians are devout followers of their faith, it would explain why even the government isn’t doing anything about that. Hope that made some sense.
I live in a third world country, and have never been anywhere abroad. I can only compare India to what I know about my home country… and what I see of other countries via media. We have our share of dirty places too, but I honestly think on the whole, we’d rank higher in cleanliness and order.
Wats ur country Dude
i remember when i met my friend in thamel, he said that i should prepare myself when i get to India because there’s shit everywhere. it turned out he’s right. hehehe
.-= flip´s last blog ..10 Things You Should do in Brisbane =-.
Fip, you bet, he’s right!
I enjoyed the south of India much more than the north. It is a bit cleaner south and the attitudes and people seemed more laid back.
Glad to hear that you liked the south better too. Maybe the far north will be better.
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Are you kidding me? India is an incredibly poor with all sorts of problems, and yes, cleanliness is one of them, but you have nothing better to say than use mean words to say that it is filthy. You don’t think that India is doing what it can to improve itself on a daily basis? There are more important issues that are being dealt with. How dare you speak of India that way. Being from India originally, I am truly offended by your blog. Shame on you, shame on you.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Bridgestone Motorcycle Tires =-.
just come back from India, I have the same feeling as the author, I couldn’t agree more ! It’s all true!!
Thanks for the comment. Let us know some of your experiences!
Hello Chris,
Thanks for your passionate reply. I agree that India has more important issues to deal with than it’s lack of cleanliness and if you read some of our other posts you will see that we feel just as strongly as you about problems such as street kids, begging, poverty etc. I also agree it is starting to do what it can but by bringing problems such as how filthy the streets are (I’m sure you cannot argue with this) perhaps it will help to raise some awareness of just one of the many hardships facing India in this day and age.
Chris
It’s expatriated Indians like yourself that prevent India from developing. You sit in your comfortable and clean environments in in America and Europe, and deny that anything is wrong back in India…
India’s lack of proper sanitation is obviously a problem – and if you don’t face it, then it will never be remedied. This blogger has been very positive about India. Clearly, they’ve enjoyed themselves despite the mess. You have no reason to be defensive, the author meant no offense..
If you’re unaware of how filthy it really is in India, go home and see it for yourself.
Hello Bernard, thanks for your comments and defending our post. We have been to many developing nations and they haven’t been as dirty as India. Something needs to be done if it wants to develop further. Soon there won’t be any clean water in India. Then what?
India IS filthy and disgusting, just because you’re from there doesnt mean you should promote its filth
Bravo! For writing an honest blog about the filth in India. 18 months ago I returned from my 6th trip to India since 1983. From my travels recently I can say there has not been any decrease in the amount of garbage or human waste in the streets of any of the cities that I have revisited. 6 visits to Delhi, 6 visits to Jaipur, 2 visits to Amritsar, Haridwar, Rishikesh.I have a love/hate relationship with India. I love India for its beauty and diversity of its regions. For its music, art and its very kind and generous people. I hate India for its lack of government concern about the health and safety conditions of the garbage, open sewers in the cities. Recently, I wrote a letter of my concerns to The Times of India with a pointed statement about the forthcoming Games of 2010 in Delhi and the filth of the streets, lack of public bathrooms in the capitol city and at major tourist attractions throughout India. I firmly believe that if visitors to India who find these conditions would send an Email to the India Govt Tourist Board or to the President of India, an improvement will take place. Indian citizens do not like the street condition but can do nothing about the situation. Thousands of tourists arrive on a daily basis in India. If a fraction would send off short emails a change can be made. All the best in your travels in North India.
I will suggest both the Golden Temple in Amritsar and McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dahlai Lama. Namaste, Marylouise
Marylouise, that is great advice. I do believe that tourists can help to make change. If more people speak out, maybe the government will take the initiative to start. Thank you for the suggestions and we will send a letter ourselves to start join the movement. Let’s help India’s garbage problem before it is too late!
Guys First of all i would really like to thnk u for shwin these pictures of india to the world, So that they cn see it b4 comin 2 india nd change their minds if they cnt tolerate the envi’t of india.
thank you.
Nw being an Indian I must admit that i hated ur blog and i hate u all thats it i said it. Let me ask u only one question name me one country which is independent 4 60 years and havin a population density like india and which is more developed or even more clean than India.
If you can do that guys then i swear i will eat my words.
Hav fun in India or nt !
Kaush,
You have no right or reason to feel offended. The author’s blog was very positive about India, but addressed a very obvious problem.
Without recognizing the problem – it can’t be resolved. It’s nationalists like you, who deny the obvious problems that will keep India in the state it is in.
I find myself wondering, are you brahmin? I’m not trying to offend… Just want to know why you are so apathetic about the plights of your own countrymen – to the point that you deny they are suffering..
Hey, I am an Indian citizen, I am patriotic abt India and I am passionate about it. Yet, I totally agree with you. There are many places in in India which are filthy and many others which aren’t. Accepting that there is an issue is the first step to solve the problem. If any one is a true Indian, they would work towards cleaning it, bringing awareness to the unaware… Instead of being defensive, see for yourself what your actions are towards promoting awareness.
It’s really interesting that your two most commented posts are about India. India seems to inspire such strong feelings!
I went to India to recover from grief and depression, and it worked — India brought me back to life. So I love India, and I just decided to accept India the way she is. I think of it as a spiritual practise, part of my yoga journey.
But of course I have noticed that India is not clean; and of course it bothers me that the government doesn’t seem to care about the poor.
India could use some of Canada’s order and efficiency; but I also think that Canada, and the west in general, could benefit from some of India’s ideas about being content with less and valuing the family and relationships more, etc.
Thanks for your honesty. You have a way of writing and expressing yourselves that is factual and honest; but not bitter, judgmental or self-righteous. You call it like you see it, and I admire that.
.-= Mariellen´s last blog ..Sufi Music Festival in Delhi =-.
Thanks Mariellen, some people were very offended by this post, but that is not what we intended at all. At the time our emotions were running very high, but we weren’t upset with the people that we met in India, we were upset that the policies in India don’t seem to care about the environment or the poor. It is an emerging nation and things will only get better for everyone, but we do feel that people should speak up about the good and the bad in each country that they go to. It can only help everyone live a better life if we raise a little bit of awareness. thanks for the comment at the end about bitter, judgment and self-righteous. We definitely don’t try to be any of them. We are just two travelers going around the world and witnessing what we see.
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Wow, this article derives a lot of discussion indeed, as you promised in the 7 blog challenge. It seems that the haters only happen to find this article of yours, never the article about how much you guys love India. I bet they hate the Slum Dog Millionaire too.
It makes me sad that the world’s wealth is not balanced. I sincerely hope that poverty will be eliminated someday. I know it’s not an easy task to handle this problem, especially as some people pointed out above, the reason it’s not handled is sometimes because there are many other problems that need to be handled first.
.-= Dina´s last blog ..Top 3 Pieces of Traveling Advice by Travelers Around the World =-.
Thanks Dina. When re reading the article, I can see that we were definitely in a frustrated state of mind. But I wouldn’t change the post. It was a very very dirty country in most places. There are things that the government could do. It is a developing nation that has the funds to make change. It really should think about cleaning up the pollution to prevent disease and contaminating the water supply. What will happen when a country of over a billion people runs out of clean water?
Wow, well what do you expect from the 2nd most populated country in the world
.-= wmofree´s last blog ..Ice World 2002 TV =-.
It is true that India is populated, but there are smaller countries out there with very dense populations that still manage to keep their countries cleaner. The powers that be (whoever they are) in India, the government and the rich need to take an active roll in cleaning up the country. When wealthy people are flinging their garbage out the windows of the train and when they are having their servants live in dirt and grime, they are not taking a leadership roll. The cleanliness has to start at the top by putting out garbage cans, have a local clean up day, they need an infrastructure to take care of their waste rather than sweeping it off to the gutters or into a pile in the jungle. India is growing rapidly and the rich are extremely rich, things can be done. Even thought there is sever poverty, there is also extreme wealth. Someone just has to take an active roll and maybe if more tourists talk about it, they will actually do something about it because they will learn that it is unacceptable.
Namaste to both of you.
If possible, I would like to repeat here my reply in Feb. 2010 to your blog on India, as it expresses my love/hate of India as I experienced India during 6 trips. I know about the filth and I also know about the kindness of Indian people, their generosity and hospitality.
There are many replies to your blog from those who support your views and those who castigate you for being so honest in your opinion of India. Having met both of you, I know that both of you have great insight into people and places and most important, you both have a kind and loving heart. I believe that with your honest, heartfelt blog on the filth of India you hoped that it will create a “heads up” call to those readers who do enjoy India and have hope that sanitary conditions will improve quickly. May I suggest the following to all travellers to India, past and future. GOOGLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA Manmohan SINGH There is a form to fill out, entitled “Write to the PM of India Prime Ministers office. Its quite easy to do so with space for your comments. Its best to write in a respectful manner with a positive
point of view and perhaps easy solutions to begin with, like trash barrels and garbage collection. The Prime Minister is a Sikh with certain knowledge of how serene and clean the Golden Temple is in the Punjab. Can you just imagine how surprised the PM will be if he gets an avalanche of email (THOUSANDS) from the readers of Dave & Deb The Adventure Couple?
LOVE to both of you and again NAMASTE Marylouise
If you don’t have an open mind about travel, then go back to butt@#*!, alberta, from which you obviously shouldn’t have left.
Please stop advertising the fact that you are Canadians. You are embarrassing the rest of us out here.
Now here is a classy comment. We don’t normally allow any swearing on our blog and we would normally delete you instantly (instead, we took out the crude swear word and put in our own symbols). We wanted to address your reply. First of all, we are from Ontario, and if you would have read the article, you would have seen that we are simply telling the truth about the dirtiness of a place. We definitely travel with an open mind and then when we see something that is senseless and could be fixed we write about it. I doubt that the children of India want to play in parks that are covered with trash and I doubt that people walking to work want to step over sewage and garbage. If people start to talk about it, things will change. India’s filthy standards are making headlines in the Commonwealth countries right now. Many athletes didn’t go to the games because of the standards. It is something that India has the power and the money to change, and yet officials turn a blind eye.
Hi Guys,
I am an Indian and I can attest to the account of filthiness that you’ve given. One of the reasons that India is filthy is that people are lazy to the bone. Those lazy people ( labeled as middle class ) then employ desperate poor people for menial jobs. Where else in the world you can get a hireling to do your dishes. clean house for about 2 dollars a day ?? Most people in India talk a lot and do nothing. Many of if not most of us lack good manners and really do not know how to communicate.Most of them are nationalistic in a wrong way.
If we don’t mend our ways , we are doomed.India likes to sit on its past laurels. Whenever someone tries to show them the correct picture, they get offended and try to BS their way in the argument. They lack what I can term as commonsense and rationality. It WAS once spiritual land , now it is fast losing that title as well.Most Indians ( that you see on roads , shops ) are largely ignorant and cant only think very short term.
Some of us try to do good and strive for meaningful education but number is ridiculously low. I have given up on it. I would rather employ my talents and abilities where they are valued and can come to fruition. People accuse me of being a traitor and a disbeliever in religion – So be it. I can not stand imbecility that my country and countrymen flaunt.
-Visha
hey man just go to Punjab and look their ,,,i know India is dirty,,,,but not all places ,,,,,,,if you will go in up ,bihar,etc,you will find so,just once go and look the cleanliness of Punjab ,,don’t blame whole country for it,,,,,,,,,,because punjab also comes in it,,,,,,,,,,
A POSITIVE article about one mans excellent plan to begin the “clean up” of Delhi.
PLEASE read
APRIL 9,2010 CNN Harmeet Ahah SINGH “Sewage streams into scenic parks? One Mans goal-CNN.com
There is an excellent Video, CNN of the author showing how it will be easy to put the plan in action.
Wow! I am going to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Bangalore and Hyderabad in November, I never expected it to be so filthy! What I don’t like is that you said Kerala is almost sanitized, its also a communinist state! In the west, we do not agree with communism, but the one aspect of a socialist gov’t is the fact that many companies are unionized. Although democratic and conservative gov’ts could also agree to unions, that may help. Kerala also has the highest literacy rate and lowest unemployment rate. The other problem is caste based issues. Could it be a protest against gov’t reservations for lower castes in higher positions? Excessive littering to lead people to think leaving the jobs that used to be done by lower caste are now unfilled? Job creation? I can’t believe Indians can be so gross, dirty, apathetic and unhygienic. The real turn off is that these unhygienic conditions are breeding grounds for diseases and affect the tourism industry, which the country is very dependent on. I had previously read that a couple of countries threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth Games unless Delhi cleaned up its act!
One question, if India is filthy then why people like you are jealous of us??
In 60 years of independence we have shaken the empire of entire world that the US president came here and asked why indians are stealing american jobs from americans in there own country. We are not stealing american jobs, american organisations found we are better than their own people(you should better know why).
About above pictures, they may be true. because No country is perfect and one cannot compare a developing country with a developed country, and i can assume how much effort you had done for searching those places. If you wanna compare try with developing countries then you will know the reallity.
And i am surprise to know some people are there who travels to see rubish,, i can assume to what society you people belongs….
This was a very rude post… And the comments folllowing it were even worse…india is different.. Its NOT disgusting.. We have out problems.. Yes we do.. But who doesn’t?… If ur gnna go search for filth and garbage.. U WILL find it.. Its ridiculus how ur completely undermining the country.. Its a hot country!.. That’s why the smells.. We have a billion people.. And yes a lot of ignorant peole too.. Which makes stuff even more dificult to be done… If u hate the place so much.. Don’t travel.. and I have travelled so much.. To so many places.. Its not as bad.. Yes there are some places.. But to completely dismiss something as “filthy” and “disgisting” that’s just ignorant…
Oh and another thing I picked in the really hateful comments.. India is NOT a third world country..it has one of the strongest economies.. Even now when most of the western world is crumbling down under their own weight..we have one of the highest growth rates.. We are an emerging global power and a very strong contender to the reformed security council… Yes we have problems..and we there needs to be an improvement.. A lot of it actually.. Even in all the chaos.. We do end up getting work done.. So much so that the U.S president comes here to create jobs back home.. U are a wimpy couple.. But its ok.. That’s a typical mentality a lot of people suffer from.. Read above..
Oh geez here comes the parade of the Indian nationalists. I think the author here is doing a service to other travelers. It is far better that they know what the conditions of the countries are like before they get there and face some unhappy surprises. The author has never recommended anyone not to travel to India.
ive read most of the posts,nd not surprised,me indian nd yea thats the truth, we gotta deal with them, but we have lots of problems leading to this, like population corruption…many, but i feel so damn lucky to be born nd livin here, as my generation makes india a become a great country..its more exciting than just living with all comforts nd few problems as in already developed countries, i promise india wont be what u call it now.:D
I’m going to India for my 14th or 15th time (lost count) in a couple months. I’ve been reading this blog because for the first time, I’ll be traveling to the South…I’ve only been in North India. I am extremely familiar with the dirt, the public urination, etc. That said, this post is extremely offensive. Deb and Dave can very easily warn tourists without labeling India as “filthy” or taking so many pictures of the worst. I could take nearly equally horrible pictures in New York, London, Montreal, and even Toronto (in your native Ontario). I’ve been to all of those cities and have seen some pretty “filthy” and “disgusting” things, including public urination and poop on the sidewalks and streets. Canada has a population of around 34 million and India, a much smaller landmass, has a population of over 1 billion. Canada also does not have the same kind of poverty as India. Maybe, instead of being judgmental, you should try compassion.
And Sunny is right. India is not a developing country anymore (“third-world” is a pejorative and passe term).
At last the TRUTH! India is the most unhygenic place I have ever been to, there is nothing incredible about the place unless its the stench! If you want history, go to China, or anywhere in europe, if you want spirituality, go to a chuch, mosque, temple, synagogue etc (you should see what they do to the Ganges, a sacred river!) if you want to be overcharged and have a desire for exotic gastro intestinal diseases go to India!
Hi there…my partner and i just returned from the same sort of trip you guys did…except we started on cycles in the South …rode to Tamil Nadu…then flew to Delhi and rode further North..we rode about 1000 ks in a month and saw a lot of India.. even up to the Himalayas..On my return…i have found it hard to describe to my friends and family the absolute filth i was surrounded in… nor the absolute indifference to human suffering … lest me not forget the animal cruelty…People just seem to step over the dying and starving.. no one bats an eye lid to a dead body on the street..nor the starving children sifting through rubbish in unbearable heat…when i asked a hotel manager why children were sifting through rubbish all day nearby…he informed me they worked for a man who runs a service the hotel also used…apparently the children are sometimes only payed in food…he seemed ok with this… and rather upset when i questioned how children survive when they are surrounded rubbish rather then in school learning…It seems the rich think the poor are lazy..and the poor think they don’t deserve any better..it was not all that long ago that the untouchables in india were made to crawl backwards in the presence of others..sweeping away their footsteps as if they were never there..this system of those who desreve and those who do not may well have been abolished.. however it is still there..although unspoken..the poor live and die in absolute filth…Some blame the west for Inidias problems.. i do not agree…i see a reigion that says question not your life circumstances but acccept your fate…a governement that is corrupt (in Kerala they had arrested ministers who had bribed their way into goverment) and rich land owners suckiing the life of the peasants who work day and night in the tea plantations..Any way my take on India is that if this is enlightenment.. then please keep me in the dark..i constanly hear people say how happy and enlightened the Indians are… i only heard strories of hunger and hard work to survive..well that was from the people in the street…the rich i met in better hotels seem to just see the poor as lazy and dirty.. ..faith is huge all over India… and maybe this is what drives many to question what we are missing in the West…i think its obvious though…after all.. when you earn pittence for slave driven work.. and have nothing but an empty belly to drive you..all you can have is faith….i did meet intersting Indian people in my travels ..and learnt much about their perspective on life….i also saw the magnificent beauty of the Himalyas.. and rode 2000 m above sea level to musoorie only to look down at the incredible sea of lights burning in the Indian night..India for me was an experience not a holiday..it was awsome but also hard….go and see…but be aware nothing can really prepare you.. J
india is not country but force to be a country by British .if the every state of india go to be Independent country ,it will best for their peoples,because they will get more chances to get money.and compete each other. Whatever ,free india ,free the east part of india, free every state of india .
I was in India for the first time for seven weeks this past February and March. I had wanted to go for such a long time – I felt called to the country for some reason.
India is a country that takes people in, chews them up, and spits them out. It’s unrelenting, unforgiving, and a full frontal assault for most first time travels there. At least this is what I have observed and also what I experienced myself.
The interesting part is which particular aspects of the country drive an individual traveler to his or her breaking point.
In the weeks before my departure, I talked with many who had been before and who provided lots of advice and commentary on their experiences. From all of these conversations, I felt decently ready to face the country.
In the end, for me, it wasn’t the poverty, the trash, the begging, the lack of anything remotely resembling a sense of customer service, etc., it was the constantly blaring horns that drove me to by breaking point. I just couldn’t get tune them out — everywhere I went a horn blasting in my ear!
I was VERY happy to leave India. But I must admit that I have a certain fascination with returning. And I probably will someday. This, too, I’ve heard is also common.
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I think India has two social parts. The first one is lazy and ignorant people who ignore all social needs including basic cleanness as a result of poverty mostly. The other part is clever, young generation who had a chance for nice education and working especially in IT, Telecommunication fields as world experts. The increase on the second will surely increase the overall life quality in Indian streets as well. Still, I admire India and its people for their culture.
I guess every country has a bad side of the story but this is so bad. These Public Urinals are very public! I didn’t know they exist. What really make it look bad is as you noted, people don’t seem to care or notice.
Still, India is a great country and has its share of impressive places not to mention their current fast-growing economy. This might help things to get better over time.
God had to create Hell somewhere on Earth – and he couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate place.
That is a little harsh Devoneco. I don’t think it is hell on earth at all, it is just a country that needs to organize better. The people we met in India were amazing. We were just frustrated with the filth. I wish that the government which is very rich and emerging as a world powerhouse would have more love for it’s people and create infrastructures to help with the sewage, water and garbage problems plaguing the country. Hopefully soon.
Oooo. I expected some filth but it is beyond my imagination.
)
This kind of Filth results from two things: lazy and selfishness. its just that simple. Furthermore, there is no excuse on earth for people to live like this. none at all. And for those of you here who are “offended” by the facts presented here… if it hurts, it must be the truth. you say you’re “offended” when what you should be is embarrased.
The world is a much smaller place these days and the secret is out; India is filth unimaginable! dont waste your time here being “offended”, instead try to figure out some way to make a change. remember, it always begins with one person. And finally, to the originator of this blog: DONT sugarcoat it, tell it like it is feelings be damned. you think your pics are explicit?? the chinese are taking the india expose to the next level with high Def pics you would not believe.
Yes, India is filthy and reflecting back to my 7th trip of 3 months, March 01, 2011 to
June 01, 2011 there is more waste and filth then my 1st trip in the 80′s.The one very bright
spot was in the forest area around McLeod Ganj, H.P. Every week, there was a group of local
guys and gals trekking with large bags to pick up waste thrown out by travellers. Checking their
bags I saw wrappers, cans, bottles with non-India labels. Sacred Cows and monkeys and dogs
roam freely in the village leaving their waste on the streets. Waste water runs in open ditches
on each side of the main road that leads up to the main Temple of the Dahlai Lama.Shops,
restaurants line this road. To enter, there is a narrow metal “bridge” to cross the open sewer
ditch. The Public Toliets on this road at the base of this Holy Temple are quite beyond
description. This was my 2nd visit of a month to this village. This is a common occurence to be
found in other major tourist destinations in
India. One exception is the Golden Temple in Amristar where there were attendents to keep the
toliet area clean. Will I return to India? Yes, despite this glaring health problem, I have
found the people of India to be friendly, kind and warm hearted with travellers. The people that
we meet, as travellers, cannot change what is occuring in their government…its too vast and
complex for the majority of Indian citizens.
Ya, correct. There are some beautiful places. But they are not maintained properly. Where you have Taj Mahal, for example, there you also have heaps of garbage and narrow bylanes. Unfortunately.
That is truly horrible! People of India are filthy? OMG! But this only the other side of India. India is a very beautiful place to go.. Thousands of tourists come to visit here and they love India. On the other and other side in India there many less fortunate people that needs more help and mostly of them are children..
Went to India to trace my roots as I know live in Malaysia. Sad to say that India is the pits-nothing but filth,crap, urine and loads of other shit. Bloody uncouth people. Boy am I glad my ancestors left that blooming nation and headed here otherwise I’d probably be one of the idiots walking around and peeing and shitting around everywhere!!!!
Hi Joel, to be fair there aren’t a lot of places to go to the bathroom or to throw your garbage away. When the powers that be aren’t supplying basic needs, it is difficult for a dense population to control the filth. What we were frustrated with was the lack of interest in providing communities with garbage cans and proper sewage. India is an emerging nation that could do something more about the pollution problem but in our eyes the people in power don’t seem to care about the common people that are forced to live in these conditions.
It definitely brings back vivid memories of India’s northern states, although the south is only relatively better. You could only witness the smell first hand. I wonder how many people have avoided India for this reason.
I admire your courage in publishing this post, even though it would more than likely offend quite a number of Indian nationals. But like some of you said above, if the issue is not surfaced and documented, it cannot be addressed. Hopefully there will be some locals who have the determination to make their country a more beautiful place.
Remember, change is possible.
Dave and Deb, firstly I agree with your observations about the dirt and filth in India. There is no point in trying to deny it, as it is there for all to see. Nor am I offended. People who are denying it on this blog discussion, for whatever reason (population density, poverty, etc etc), are being jingoistic and perhaps it flicked them on the raw.
I find many Westerners to be very practical regarding civic issues and I’m interested in an open discussion, and finding solutions.
I’m Indian too, a fairly decently traveled one, and I do agree with what you have reported. I’d like to add my perceptions on the complexity of the problems India faces.
First of all the human depravity you mention, the indifference to death…believe me, a billion people crowding in on each other will do that to you. There is no escape, even for the rich when they step out of their air conditioned mansions. So the obvious reaction is to develop an armor to this massive invasion of personal space – both physical and mental, and become desensitized to the relentless human suffering. It’s not that people don’t donate or try to help – they do. But try as one might, it seems insignificant, and many people just give up in the face of the *aize* of this problem.
I feel that in India there are a few factors that have compounding effects on all social/civic issues – the sheer size of population, poverty, rural-to-urban displacement, and a profound lack of civic sense. Indians have a peculiar (and very misplaced) sense of individualism that prevents them from following rules, helping, cooperating for a larger good.
One of the posters said something about another poster being a Brahmin, implying that Brahmins are responsible for everything bad in the country. This is irresponsible and naive commenting. Do you know, that all so-called backward classes get massive handouts and help from the government? Similar to the Affirmative Action program of the US, but goes further – for e.g. there are more than 50% reservations for backward classes in education, government jobs, in practically every walk of life. To be a brahmin in modern India is a curse,because Brahmins are actually discriminated against. Tell me, who is responsible when a poor family has 10-15 children they cannot feed/clothe/educate on their own? The government can try to help them with rations and such, but it will never be enough. Do you know, the government has many times built proper housing for the poor and displaced for free, and what these people do is to sell their houses at the first opportunity and go back to living under a bridge or wherever and continue to hustle for a living, sending their children out to beg. Also, it is not just the poor but many minorities that have growth rates in the double digits. I really don’t understand people who feel the need to have so many children, when they can’t afford to nurture even one.
And, just as an FYI – there is no caste system anymore. It has been abolished by the constitution of India. As far as mixing, one cannot force people to mix or intermarry. They do so based on their own perspectives and interests. And this is true of all countries/cultures.
The filth is born of a most peculiar mindset – I personally believe that underlying it is a rural mindset and habit transposed into an urban setting. See, in the rural areas. people ‘go’ in the fields, in thickets and forests. It is all natural. They may spit or throw a banana peel but it goes into the earth. Put these displaced folks into an urban setting without proper sanitation and you get the horror that is urban India.
But beyond all of this is the sheer population pressure. The government has of late, tried to create some facilities. But they are overwhelmed by the number of people using them. And the government can only do so much (I agree they don’t do enough and are corrupt to boot)…but it is also the people and their complete absence of civic sense.
If someone is walking down a beautiful street, what is the need to spit and throw garbage? To me, ultimately, Indians have the country we deserve. Look aI have these hooligans who desecrate monuments with their immortal monikers “Raju loves Pinky circa 1991″. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten into fights trying to prevent people from doing stuff like this. But I’m one person, and they are the hordes…
India is definitely not ready for mass consumption ala US. But it seems we’re hurtling down that path, come hell or high water. There is a war brewing…over natural resources…
I depair.
Most of the communities in the entire Indian sub-continent(such as Bengali) succumbed in ‘Culture of Poverty’(Oscar Lewis), irrespective of cl-ass or economic strata, lives in pavement or apartment. Nobody is genuinely regret ed or ashamed of the deep-rooted corruption, decaying general quality of life, worst Politico-administrative system, bad work place, weak mother language, continuous consumption of common social space (mental as well as physical, both). We are becoming fathers & mothers only by self-procreation, mindlessly & blindfold(supported by some lame excuses). Simply depriving their(the children) fundamental rights of a decent, caring society, fearless & dignified living. Do not ever look for any other positive alternative behaviour(values) to perform human way of parenthood, i.e. deliberately co-parenting children those are born out of ignorance, extreme poverty. It seems that all of us are being driven only by the very animal instinct. If the Bengali people ever be able to bring that genuine freedom (from vicious cycle of ‘poverty’) in their own life/attitude, involve themselves in ‘Production of (social) Space’ (Henri Lefebvre), initiate a movement by heart, an intense attachment with the society at large is very much required – one different pathway has to create, decent & rich Politics will definitely come up. – Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, 16/4, Girish Banerjee Lane, Howrah-711101.
One reason why it is very hard to get (and keep) public spaces clean is that manual labor has no dignity here. And cleaning up marks a person as the lowest of the low. This is a holdover of the caste system. Only the most desperate people will stoop to cleaning as a job. And the people who do the littering will look at them with contempt. In such an environment, who would take pride in cleaning? It’s almost like thinking about cleaning up makes a person unclean. So the civic authorities, from the managers and supervisors down to the actual workers, have no incentive to do their job properly. Why are public urinals the dirtiest place around? Because you cannot find a single person who would clean it up to save his life. How can this be rectified? Perhaps if some ideal minded rich upper class kids would go around cleaning up to set an example (and with the media in tow), maybe it would have an effect. But I am not hopeful. Almost everyone, from the richest to the poorest, has this f***ed up mentality. More wealth (and even education) doesn’t seem to change them.
I think you have hit it on the head with your perceptive comment. India is not
- an “emerging culture”, or “recently civilised”: it is one of the most ancient cultures, with a long history of urban centres starting from 3000 BC! Varanasi is at least 2000 years old, so is Delhi.
- “overpopulated”: whatever that means – overpopulation is an excuse for everything that is wrong
People are not
- “inherently dirty”: all Indian religions place great stress on personal cleanliness; a daily bath is a ritual for all (unless there is no water available for it); you would be surprised to see the insides of most Indian rural dwellings (they are as clean as the inmates can afford)
So what is it? It is an embedded cultural disdain for cleaning up common spaces. That is the job of the “lowest of the low”, which no one would like to be.
Of course, public spaces become cleaner as people become richer. It is said that you could smell Amsterdam’s canals several miles away in the 1700s. They are pristine now. Many parts of New Delhi have certainly become cleaner in the last few years.
A piece of advice to travellers: plan to stay in the better parts of the places you visit. You might miss the “real India” (read dirty streets and con artists, a la Paharganj) but will have a less distressing time.
Unfortunately, India is not quite dependent on tourism as a source of revenue – revenue earned from foreign tourists is negligible for the country as a whole.
Siddhartha:
Do they not clean their own toilets at home? who cleans their houses?
ALso, why don’t they use pit latrines like in much of Africa? You will never see open defecation in Africa. If you see it in India, it suggests to me that there is a deep cultural problem. Never saw it in China either which has a large population
Population is not an issue, Its just a matter of being educated. And unfortunately We are not.
Had been to Switzerland for 3 weeks in October. Indeed, I was amazed to see the neat and tidy surroundings there. No garbage. No potholed roads. Not a single person was found spitting and pissing in the streets, anywhere I went to (I took some random rounds as well).
Being an Indian myself, it wouldnt be pretty to disgrace my own country, but the truth is INDIA IS INDEED, DIRTY. People here dont have civic sense.
It’s crucial timings of India. No responsibility. The people we met in India were amazing. We were just frustrated with the filth. I wish that the government which is very rich and emerging as a world powerhouse would have more love for it’s people and create infrastructures. Really you collect a good information.
what i can say? i traveled in India for 8 days, and be cheated every day, by the driver, the people in the hotel…. what a filthy place!!i will never go and will persuade my friends not go.
Hellloo
It’s may be ok to sling back a shot, but face it, India is filthy.
I wish to god, that the payment for answering prayers is a demand to keep the neighbourhood n village CLEAN.
I love my India, but I can’t overlook the trash.
What can we do????
Education?
That may take many years.
What else?
I think stricter laws n reinforcement of laws..is a solution, because same Indians go abroad n live cleanly.
Population control,that surely is in the hands of all of us, yet laws will be needed to see that they r not dodged…God bless all who put in the effort.
Sorry to bother u, I don’t even know you,may b I too am escaping.
if any of you tourists want to come to india let me tell you which places are cleaner, good to visit & beautiful…
1 wonderful kerala
2 mount kudremukh in western karnataka(cool place)
3 incredible ancient ruins of hampi
4 goa of course for it’s sandy beaches
5 scenic spots like ganpatipule,matheran,mahabaleshwar in maharashtra
6 banglore,mysore or any other south indian city
7 beautiful sceneries in simla,darjeeling,manali,ooty(very cold places)
8 the great himalayas
9 south mumbai (of course)
Thank you Lucky Indians. You are right there are many place in India to travel to and if you read the rest of our posts on India you will see that we loved it as well. We wrote many positive articles on India and the people that we met. And agree, Kerala, Hampi, Goa, Mumbai…we loved them all.
jees you really hate India i see…I am proud t0 be an Indian(even though I stay in Canada)no offence but your dumb and childish. Dude i am in my teens but don’t behave like you.
I know about the dirty things India and me and my dad are even tring to do something from here.Hoping for its success
Its not there behavior, its just there reaction. A normal one will behave like this only. I being an Indian know what is all around here, I and my Country appreciates the travelers to visit, But the Government bodies, the Civic bodies fails at every moment, at every effort.