Goldengatebill

Im trying to figure out why anyone would want to go to India

Dinah Loc: Brisbane, Australia

I know this is not answering your question about which lenses to take but I am worried about advice some people are giving you.
For a photographer India is a fascinating and beautiful country and I have found the people very friendly. I have been three times to India and four times to Thailand. I'm leaving for Thailand on Thursday. I have never had a problem as far as photography goes and have never paid anyone there for a photo unlike in South America. Most people love to see the photos in the view finder (especially the children). I always hold my camera up and ask if I may take a photo and if they say no I simply don't take one. I hang my camera around my neck and when not in use attach it to my belt with a clip. I carry spare lenses in a sturdy back pack that can't be cut but have never had anyone try to get at it in India or Thailand. In South America I have seen someone's back pack that was sliced and the camera stolen and I also had someone try to rip my camera off over my head but never in India or Thailand.

My general rule in life is "Use your common sense".

Have a great time!! Dinah

Portlandia Loc: Portland, Oregon

thanks, dinah. i am not a nervous traveller, but do not tempt fate. been traveling for years, but never to india. although this is my first post, i've been reading for a while so i know how the comments can go. you cannot say that the ugly hedgehog group are lacking in passion. i'm leaving on thursday for thailand as well. a few days in bangkok, then to koh lanta, then to india and ending with the andaman islands - gone for a month! since your avatar is you - i'll keep a lookout. thanks so much for your advise.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Portlandia,

India and Thailand are both beautiful countries. I cannot speak to the status of the Thais, but I can for Indians. For the most part, they are wonderful people, generous, joyful in spite of trevails and uncommonly friendly. I have one particular friend, the wife of a former employee, who was born in a small village in the southern part of the country. She has spoken to me to a great extent about the culture and society of her country (of birth; she is now an American citizen). Her children are the most courteous youngsters I have ever met, quiet and eager to learn. I value her family's friendship, and I trust her judgment. She has often spoken of the poverty she endured as a young girl and of the things she and other youth did to simply survive. She herself has been a victim of theft in India, merely because she appeared to be a tourist; when she returned to traditional dress, she was left alone. Many American tourists are arrogant and insensitive. They are also unaware of what is going on around them (the technical term is lack of situational awareness). For that reason, they are an easy target for thieves. In general, you will be as secure and as safe as you would be on any street in any other country, probably safer than you would be after dark where I live. But your skin color, language and demeanor will identify you as a stranger, and the people of India have, for the most part, grown up to have a lot more "street smarts" than we have. Just be aware of your surroundings, don't walk alone at night and keep your personal property close. You will find many good people and very few bad ones. Enjoy the positive aspects of your trip. Learning a few Hindi phrases, such as "I am please to meet you", "please", "thank you", "you are welcome" and "farewell" will show the people you meet that you are sincere in welcoming their friendship.

As to your lenses, take as many as you can. The only ones you could justify not taking are also the smallest and lightest. Room safes are not secure, here or anywhere else; but you can leave equipment in a hotel safe (or rent a box in a security exchange or a trustworthy international carrier shop. Carry you equipment in nondescript bags; Pac-Safe bags are made with hidden steel cables and mesh to prevent "slash-and-grabs". Do NOT use duct tape to cover labels; it shouts, "I'm hiding something worth stealing" and is a useless ruse. If you want to cover a bag label, use a bunch of stickers all over the bag. My remark about insurance was a warning that many home-owner or other insurance policies may not be valid in some other countries. Always get a confirmation of coverage from your agent in writing before you begin your journey.

Finally, you may encounter religious (primarily Hindu) festivals in your travels. If invited or allowed to accompany celebrants or participate in their joy, do so. Hinduism is a gentle religion that teaches love and tolerance. Their ceremonies can be colorful and joyful. Your trip to India, conducted with awareness, caution and an open mind (and heart), will be the thrill of a lifetime!

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

:thumbup: :)

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I have no dog in this fight, but just to balance out the hearts and flowers I would like to point out that the right-wing Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, responsible for insisting that Bombay be called Mumbai and also responsible for a number of riots against Muslims and Christians, are Hindus who do *not* teach love and tolerance.

Sreejib Loc: Calcutta, INDIA

OK, you must visit next time when ever in India.

Portlandia Loc: Portland, Oregon

Thanks so much for your comments. Much appreciated. I'm aware that there is good and bad everywhere you travel - and that desperate people do desperate things. One comment asked why anyone would want to go to India. In the words of Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." I try not to make decisions based on fear.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Every country has crime. Best to be aware and hope for the best while preparing for the worst.

By NBC News and wire services

SINGAPORE — A 23-year-old Indian woman who was gang-raped and severely beaten on a bus in New Delhi died Saturday at a Singapore hospital.

The woman's horrific ordeal galvanized Indians to demand greater protections against widespread sexual violence, and her death was expected to intensify public demands for action by the Indian government.

The victim who has not been identified, "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian embassy by her side," said Kelvin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been treated since Thursday. "The Mount Elizabeth Hospital team of doctors, nurses and staff join her family in mourning her loss," he said in a statement.

The woman and a male friend were traveling in a public bus after watching a film on the evening of Dec. 16 when they were attacked by six men who took turns raping her. They also beat the couple and inserted an iron rod into her body resulting in severe organ damage. Both of them were then stripped and thrown off the bus, according to police.

The woman was airlifted to Singapore on Dec. 26 for specialist treatment, but she had remained in extremely critical condition, Loh said.

The victim had already undergone three abdominal operations before arriving in Singapore, where her condition on Thursday was described as "extremely critical."

Photos: Police try to temper outrage over gang rape

"Despite all efforts by a team of eight specialists in Mount Elizabeth Hospital to keep her stable, her condition continued to deteriorate over these two days," said Loh on Saturday. "She had suffered from severe organ failure following serious injuries to her body and brain. She was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome."

Related video:

Rape ignites outrage
Protesters call for execution

The attack triggered nationwide protest over the lack of safety for women, culminating last weekend in pitched battles between police and protesters in the heart of the capital.

New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among India's major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures. Government data show the number of reported rape cases in the country rose by nearly 17 percent between 2007 and 2011.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government seemed at first caught off guard by the reaction to the attack, which sparked a blame game between politicians and the police.

On Saturday he said that he was aware of the emotions the attack has stirred and that it was up to all Indians to ensure that the young woman's death will not have been in vain.

"These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change," Singh said in a statement. "It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channel these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action."

He said the government was examining the penalties for crimes such as rape "to enhance the safety and security of women."

Indian television channels said security had been tightened in New Delhi on Saturday in anticipation of more protests following the woman's death.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Goldengatebill

I love the way everyone saya it is safe but look out for this and that etc. That means to me dont go near India.

gravelc Loc: Nepean, Ontario, Canada

with everything that is happening in the States, than we should not go to the States either... My thought : go where the Spirit leads you... the planet Earth is there to be walked on.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

And don't go to LA, NYC, Chicago, or Stockton. Don't go to Paris, or London or Berlin or Tokyo. Don't go anywhere. Just stay home and hide under your bed until the end of time. Fine, but I'm going to go out and meet whatever is there head on! MCI's (and left-over K-rats) didn't kill me, so I'm living on borrowed time anyway! :?