Through an Indian eye

America through an Indian eye

The Environment: Clean- hardly you may find smoke, no dusts, no car horns, no music, no processions, and fresh air. That was in the month of August September 2007.Green every where, I am talking about Plainsboro of New Jersey state.
Roads: Clean, broad, no speed breakers no humps. Right hand drive cars. Large cars but passengers are single or at best two, if you find more people inside then they are likely to be Mexicans or Indians. No Rasta blocks by political and non political parties, no demonstrations on road. Police reaches the site of accidents in minutes. Accident victims are lifted by helicopters.
Traffic: People value human life very much, so they are very careful about safe driving. On an average an American spends 30% of his life traveling to office and back home.
Strikes: No work no pay, people work and also show their resentments in a different way.
Market places: Plenty of car parking areas. No shouting, no mess, no cheating. Mostly run by ladies. If you have the money any thing under the sky, you can buy. You can return the goods even after using it for some time, if you do not like them, a question will not be asked, and you will get full refund.
Medical: If you do not have insurance then you are gone. Mostly people are covered through the family doctor’s scheme. Without referral can’t meet a specialist. Except Ibuprofen and some cold remedies you can’t get any medicine with out a prescription. Medical expenses are very costly. One tablet which costs five rupees in India may cost you two hundred rupees that too you can’t get it with out an American doctor’s prescription.
Food: People are crazy about eating. Average restaurant food items are costly, full of saturated fats. Indian restaurants are costlier, one plate of idli may cost you $5 (Rs:250).If you are going in group tour or have close relatives in US then it’s alright or else if you are from Indian middle class family ,you are likely to come back soon.
Forests: we were surprised to notice that forests are for sale as they belong to private parties and not to the American Government. Deforestation is rampant. Houses bring more money than cultivation hence I found lots of barren land which was once up on a time a thick forest. It’s not surprising that they point their finger to Asiatic people for green house effects.
Sports: People love tennis, baseball, golf, American foot ball (soccer), ice hockey and basket ball. Majority are sports loving people. No body discuss about cricket except few Pakistani and Indians who celebrate if their team wins but seldom comes back to their home land.
Books: Libraries are very good with all types of books of your interest.
Politics: No one discuss them in train or bus or in office.
Transport: Taxi fare is beyond reach of average Indians. You have to depend on your relatives, sons, daughter in laws, or others for going out. Forget about spending your time in a near bye market place, you simply can’t walk in those busy roads, likely to be knocked off any time.
Social life: With out prior intimation you simply can not go to any one’s house. Social life is a big “Bore”. People do not interact with strangers. American TV programs are boring for an average Indian. The Indian house wives mostly watch the same serials which are watched by the middle class society in India, those Z,*,Sab,Etvs.
Tourist attractions: The Entry fees to any place of interest or parks in US are more than the ac train fare from Delhi to Agra.
Overall view: One must visit USA, who can afford it, before it’s too late.