The following are direct reflections to my original "India Trip Preconceptions" post:
1) Vast infrastructural disparities
The view from your four or five star hotel is likely a mix of street vendors, constructions, crowded streets, garbage piles, and maybe even a slum. Western development exists side-by-side with severe poverty. This is also true in the technological areas where western development is more prevalent. A shopping mall and a world re known company share real-estate with homeless people and poor communities. The lack of utilities such as clean water are shared by all however, and even in hotels you should stick to bottled water.
2) Garbage everywhere
Unfortunately this one turned out to be true, for the most part. Around tourist attractions and government areas everything was very clean and orderly. The majority of places however were congested with litter and debris, especially in the urban centers. On a positive note, the changing Indian mindset is all about taking care of the environment. From commercials with Bollywood celebrities and cricket players, to billboards and advertisements, the movement towards green has taken root within the younger demographic.
3) Temples/historical places everywhere
Considering the age and history of India, it's no surprise this one is true. Some of the most beautiful architecture isn't just the famous locations like the Taj, Amber Palace, or Akshardham Temple, but the tomb right down the street from your hotel that isn't in any of the tourist guides. Regardless of where you are staying, especially in Delhi, pick a direction, start walking, and sooner than later you will run into a structure hundreds of years older than the United States.
4) 24-hour rush-hour/mass congestion
With their growing economy and population, the infrastructure isn't ready for the number of travelers. Grid-lock, rush-hour, and parking lots, are all an understatement when trying to explain how congested Indian cities can become. In shopping areas this is coupled with the hordes of people trying to go about their daily lives. The lack of regulated traffic is serious concern and only adds to the frustration of traveling anywhere in India.
5) Massive IT industry
There are development areas, in Delhi for example, where industries (especially IT firms) compose an entire zip code size area. Places like NOIDA and Gurgaon are home to many IT companies and have embraced a western style of architecture and daily life. This is where you find the large shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. Upon visiting several of these firms, they take employee care and transportation very seriously considering the unique difficulties India has. Many companies offer taxi services after dark for female employees, and some firms have even built self sustaining cities where employees can find amenities such as daycare, free meals and housing, clinics, shopping areas, etc.
