I live in India AMA

[IndiaAMA]

Hello. Name changed for this. I’ve seen a number of threads about the Indian variant including lots of speculation about lifestyles in India, some of which is quite incorrect! So thought I’d do an AMA.

I am a British woman who lives and works her with my spouse.

AMA!

@NightCzar

Is it true it's affecting children more than previous variants? That must be frightening.

I haven’t seen any evidence to back this up. I know a few children who have tested positive but none have been hospitalised or badly symptomatic - bed for a few days with aches and coughs and a fever. But that’s only anecdotal too!

@Vikingintraining

How long have you lived in India? Is living there like how you imagined/expected it to be? I really love the idea of living in India (not at the moment...) having spent a couple of months there. Hope you and your partner stay healthy and safe.

Three years! And we will be here probably two more with work.

I love it. See my previous post about the best and worst of it. The travel opportunities too are just amazing - I find it incredibly that the deserts and Mughal architecture of Rajasthan are in the same country as the lush jungles of Goa and the beautiful southern coast lines. It’s really easy to travel and get around, I generally haven’t felt threatened as a woman - I actually feel as safe in most city centres as I did in London - and it is an incredibly beautiful and varied country.

Thanks for the bump @Notashandyta!

@Eileen101 thank you.

Thank you for this thread OP.

Couple of your posts have really struck a chord - on the one hand there is a huge disparity in the distribution of wealth in India, resulting in abject poverty for many, seemingly ignored by the rising and affluent middle classes.

But on the other hand there are significant charitable organisations, albeit some originating from religious beliefs and this is often missed. The practice in Sikh temples to not turn anyone away for a meal, regardless of religion, is a sound one.

My parents are from India and I've visited. They are horrified by what they see and don't doubt for a minute that this tragedy is real and not exaggerated.

Do you think there is any hope that India will ever have a solid, reliable welfare state that leaves none without food, hygiene, safety etc?

Thank you for this thread. I've been worrying about what people in India are going through and how much more fortunate we are here in the UK, free vaccines, testing availability, health care, social care etc etc. Gives perspective when we moan about things. Please take care and sending virtual hugs and love to you and your family xxx

Does anyone know of any way to "donate a vaccine" or similar? Or is this just not feasible with supply issues?

A guy who took me and my DH around Jaipur in his Tuk Tuk a few years ago, reached out to me via Facebook messenger last week. We've exchanged the odd message via social media etc over the last few years, nothing more than well wishes etc. We had a brilliant, off-the-beaten-track time with him and I'll never forget it.

He explained that his situation is bad, he had to sell his Tuk Tuk and he was worried for his family.

Today I sent him some money via Western Union, not a huge amount, but to him I think it was. I don't know how he intends to use it, I suppose after transferring the cash it's none of my business. It has made me take stock over the last few days.

I think that was a nice thing to do @MirandaMarple Even if he's asking everyone, he probably has genuinely lost his livelihood. If there's a lockdown then tuk tuks are not going to be widely used.

My colleagues tell me they think things will be open up soon, since so many people can't work from home and need to work. They've all had vaccines through the company now so they're feeling ok about that. But surely that makes a third wave inevitable? What do you think @IndiaAMA
And how are you doing, too?