A Shocking Baptism in India: The Inconceivable “Dirtiest Capital on Earth” – New Delhi

Text and photos by Liu Shiming (640)

I’m in New Delhi, India, and it’s as chaotic and dirty as the rumors say. The whole city is covered in dust, smells of urine, and is filled with honking horns. Every vehicle seems to be speeding through life, yet the metro is as clean as Taipei’s MRT. I love the vibrant colors of the women’s clothing. This trip has been exciting and thrilling, yet fraught with danger, and I’ve slowly come to love backpacking.



After leaving the airport, I took a shuttle bus to New Delhi Railway Station. The buses have different classes, and this one is the highest class. Each bus comes with a ticket officer, so the driver can focus solely on driving.

As a newcomer, a traveler’s eyes are like reconnaissance planes, fully taking in the impact of Indian culture. India is 2.5 hours ahead of Taiwan, so today we’ve gained a bit more time.

People drive on the right in India, and the motorcycles on the road are all manual shift. Vendors weaving through the traffic aren’t selling jasmine flowers but airplane parts. I’m also curious about what kid on which vehicle would end up owning something with such low practical value.



The men on the street are all dressed in modern shirts, and I just don’t get it—what’s gone wrong with India’s political and economic system? India is the world’s fourth-largest economy, and its population is about to surpass China’s to become the largest in the world. So why is it still so poor?





Upon arriving at New Delhi Railway Station, the overwhelming, almost inexpressible crowd creates immense pressure. Suddenly surrounded by so many Indians, it feels like being gawked at like animals. It’s frightening. What’s puzzling is that this station, equivalent to Taipei Main Station in status, is located in the capital, yet it’s extremely dirty outside, like a square that’s been the site of prolonged street protests.

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Breathing feels uncomfortable, with waves of urine smell wafting through the air. It turns out that neither the train stations nor the metro stations here have public restrooms. Any wall becomes a convenient spot to relieve oneself.

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※This article is excerpted from a blog“My Sincere, Brave, and Childlike Heart”For the full article, please click here >>