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Post by dariya on Mar 6, 2014 12:46:37 GMT
Hey all, I just secured an internship with an single womens' rights organization in Himachal Pradesh for the summer. I'm really excited!! Normally their interns come from Indian universities, but I got in with the help of an old professor who does all of her field work in North India. My biggest concern is brushing up on my Hindi beforehand... I'm studying in China right now and haven't exactly had a lot of opportunities to speak Hindi. I plan on interning for 1 month and travelling for another month. I really haven't decided where I will go. I would love to see South India, especially Kerala, but in summer...  Every single person I have told the news to has had the same initial reaction - Aren't you scared? It's dangerous! You will be raped! After hearing this from at least 15 people the fear has started getting to me as well. Reading up on the apparent wave of sexual violence in India... hasn't helped matters! I'm curious as to what you guys think. Has anyone (especially females) held off on planning trips to India because of the recent news stories? Or do you think conditions for female travelers are about the same now as they were a few years ago, as long as correct safety precautions are taken? (I traveled in India about three years ago when I was 19. Although I did encounter uncomfortable situations (men making untoward proposals, and being groped once) I NEVER felt that I was in danger.) |
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Post by dancelover on Mar 6, 2014 19:57:29 GMT
I think that you should go - congratulations! - and be sure to take your automatic pistol with you. Dancelover (from Philadelphia [the Quaker City], USA) How a Quaker uses a gun to defend himself: "Friend, I wouldst not harm thee for the world, but thou art standing where I am about to shoot!" Hey all, I just secured an internship with an single womens' rights organization in Himachal Pradesh for the summer. I'm really excited!! Normally their interns come from Indian universities, but I got in with the help of an old professor who does all of her field work in North India. My biggest concern is brushing up on my Hindi beforehand... I'm studying in China right now and haven't exactly had a lot of opportunities to speak Hindi. I plan on interning for 1 month and travelling for another month. I really haven't decided where I will go. I would love to see South India, especially Kerala, but in summer... Every single person I have told the news to has had the same initial reaction - Aren't you scared? It's dangerous! You will be raped! After hearing this from at least 15 people the fear has started getting to me as well. Reading up on the apparent wave of sexual violence in India... hasn't helped matters! I'm curious as to what you guys think. Has anyone (especially females) held off on planning trips to India because of the recent news stories? Or do you think conditions for female travelers are about the same now as they were a few years ago, as long as correct safety precautions are taken? (I traveled in India about three years ago when I was 19. Although I did encounter uncomfortable situations (men making untoward proposals, and being groped once) I NEVER felt that I was in danger.) |
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Post by desi4life on Mar 6, 2014 21:01:14 GMT
Hey all, I just secured an internship with an single womens' rights organization in Himachal Pradesh for the summer. I'm really excited!! Normally their interns come from Indian universities, but I got in with the help of an old professor who does all of her field work in North India. My biggest concern is brushing up on my Hindi beforehand... I'm studying in China right now and haven't exactly had a lot of opportunities to speak Hindi. I plan on interning for 1 month and travelling for another month. I really haven't decided where I will go. I would love to see South India, especially Kerala, but in summer... Every single person I have told the news to has had the same initial reaction - Aren't you scared? It's dangerous! You will be raped! After hearing this from at least 15 people the fear has started getting to me as well. Reading up on the apparent wave of sexual violence in India... hasn't helped matters! I'm curious as to what you guys think. Has anyone (especially females) held off on planning trips to India because of the recent news stories? Or do you think conditions for female travelers are about the same now as they were a few years ago, as long as correct safety precautions are taken? (I traveled in India about three years ago when I was 19. Although I did encounter uncomfortable situations (men making untoward proposals, and being groped once) I NEVER felt that I was in danger.) I recommend reading the suggestions put forth by the country of your origin. For example, if you're from the U.S. I believe the State Department issues travel advisories for American citizens. Sometimes they also recommend not traveling to certain areas. That might help you as you plan your trip. Being groped is not something you should have to deal with. If you're traveling alone, be especially careful. I hope you have a fun trip, though! |
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odadune
Star of the item number
not around much due to stuff in my personal life.
Posts: 1,494
Favorite actor: Currently a certain Kumar, but I like most of them
Favorite actress: whoever's in films I'm interested in this week
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Post by odadune on Mar 9, 2014 23:26:41 GMT
Don't have anything intelligent to add, except that probably anywhere near the coast is going to be sub-optimal for tourism in June and July, due to monsoons. Most of the incidents that have made the international news seem to involve women out after dark, or in isolated places, so I would say keep that in mind in addition to the State Department travel advisories.
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Post by MrB on Mar 10, 2014 8:57:36 GMT
The situation in any country always seems worse from abroad, as only bad things get reported, and you have no context for them. So I suspect that what was a very small danger to sensible travellers is now marginally less small. If the 15 people you've spoken to have recent first-hand experience, then their view is important. If they don't, then it feels better not to let them sway you, unless you will really upset them by going. (But then I am a man, and quite pig-headed about this sort of thing.)
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Post by dariya on May 19, 2014 9:06:04 GMT
(belated) Thanks to all for helping to appease my slight anxiety! I'm going in a few weeks, as soon as exams are over. Since I first posted I have had dozens more people express concern for my safety and bring up the rapes they've read about, which I must say is not very encouraging of them. I'll be sure to take appropriate precautions, of course, but I don't intend on travelling with fear in my heart. : ) I've been wanting to go back to India for 4 years now, and finally have the opportunity.
Apparently my grandfather has friends around the South from back when he went as a missionary (-_-). I'd like to take advantage of that, but... South India... in the middle of summer. Yeesh! I don't know about that.
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Since Sept. 6, 2022, Chiloka has not been reachable. (