When people around me heard that I, a girl, was going to India, everyone expressed concern, warning me non-stop with phrases like “India is dangerous!” “India is the rape capital!” “India isn’t suitable for a girl to visit.” “India is this and that…” Faced with these worried voices and my own underlying anxiety, I became uncertain and hesitant.
So, was my decision made out of spite?
Actually, I wasn’t too worried because I believe there are more good people than bad. I believe India is no different. It’s just that the media often sensationalizes the “dangers” in the most eye-catching ways. Just like how the self-harm rate among most mentally ill individuals is higher than their rate of harming others, but due to media focus, society ends up viewing them through a more biased lens. “Judging the whole by the part” has never been fair. Making conclusions without truly engaging with the place, and assuming that most Indians are bad, is not only inaccurate but also somewhat unjust.
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries” Aldons Huxley.
Traveling is about discovering your own perspective on the country before you.
Rather than seeing the world through the same viewpoints as everyone else, or even assuming the world is all the same.
If I were to back out just because someone said “It’s dangerous, don’t go,” or “It’s not fun, not worth it,” I might miss out on a country I could fall in love with, or memories that bring profound experiences. So I took that step, packed my backpack, and went to the India I wanted to see.
I saw what I chose to see, and I experienced what I encountered.
India is a magical land, so much so that even its government promotes it as Incredible India. Indeed, there’s probably no other place as wild and as sensory-overloading. That’s why some say there are only two kinds of people who have been to India: those who want to pack up and leave immediately, and those who fall in love with India and vow to return again and again. I happen to be the latter.
By writing this article, I don’t mean to irresponsibly encourage everyone to rush to India without thinking. I simply want to share the good people and positive experiences I had in India, and show you a different side of the country. Keep in mind that every place has its risks—just like Thailand, a favorite destination for many Hong Kong people, isn’t necessarily very safe either. As long as you do your homework, stay alert at all times, and avoid taking unnecessary risks, that’s probably the way to survive in a foreign land.
During my three-week trip to India, I’m truly grateful that the good Indians I met far outnumbered the bad ones. The so-called bad ones were just a handful of merchants and drivers trying to squeeze more money out of my pockets. Fortunately, nothing was stolen, I wasn’t harassed, and instead, I encountered one kind Indian after another. Indian men are more gentlemanly than we imagine!
Several times when I got lost, helpful Indian uncles helped me find a taxi and even taught English-illiterate drivers how to take me home. On the train, when an upper berth I had bought was unfairly taken by a bed hog, a group of Indian uncles stood up to help me get justice. Two Indian uncles offered to give me their berths to sleep in. The hostel owner talked with me at length about India-Pakistan tensions, China-India relations, Indian culture, and religion. A handsome Indian guy protected me from being hit by a cow. The ever-smiling Lassi shop owner. A clothing store clerk who offered me a free cup of chai. A group of sari shop owners who let me take shelter from the rain for two hours. An Indian girl who drew henna on my hand for free. Two Indian boys and girls who gave me blessing bracelets.
Was I just lucky? But I believe it’s not just luck—there are indeed more good people than bad in India.
“If you don’t treat India well, India won’t treat you well,” said a Chinese woman I met on the trip who was a big fan of India. It’s a statement that left a deep impression on me. Yes, the way you approach India is the way India will reveal itself to you.
I love India, so India showed me her lovely side.
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