I just finished watching a TEDx Talk by Mr Rush Doshi. I, however, have a few differences in opinion, and since it has been five years and one month since the talk, I do wonder if his views have changed on the issues. My first disagreement is with his generalisation implying similar cultural evolution of India and China, which is not the case. Secondly, only 40% of population in India is dependent on Himalayan waters. Productivity per capita in China US, and India, has not shown any sign of convergence to a same or similar value, not in 2014, not today.

An NY Times presentation on Indian growth story:
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/business/20060901_RUPEE_FEATURE/blocker.html

I found this post on a blog of some US based students who stayed here, it gives some interesting insights. Take a look:

How to Know You've Gotten Used to India

1. When you don't see a cow, the street looks out of place.
2. Your Nalgene is your best friend. It might as well be anchored to your hip.
3. If you aren't asked if you want a rickshaw, you are shocked.
4. You walk out directly into traffic because it is usually safer than standing on the side.
5. A meal complete with drink and dessert that costs more than 4 dollars is way too expensive.
6. You haven't showered in a week and that is a relatively short time.
7. You don't walk down streets looking at buildings anymore, you look at the ground. You don't want to have to clean your shoes.
8. You have not seen a roll of toilet paper in a bathroom in two months.
9. A hotel room with a shower head is virtually unknown.
10. Your bag doesn't hold anything that you have bought anymore.
11. When you see a woman in a tank top, your first reaction is, "Woah! Cover that up!"
12. Throwing clay cups on the ground no longer seems the strangest thing you could ever do.
13. Seeing men urinating in the streets is completely commonplace.
14. When you stop in one place for any period of time, you know that you will have an audience of about 10 curious children and adults just there to stare.
15. At least once a day you get asked to have your photograph taken with some Indians.
16. You know that the 10 minute rickshaw ride shouldn't really cost 25 cents, but only 15.
17. It is not odd to be asked if you want to change money while you are walking down a random street.
18. Your standards of clean have shifted entirely. Hmm yeah, I've worn this shirt for five days, it is totally wearable.
19. Traveling on 20 hour trains does not really seem all that daunting. At least we have chai wallahs, right?
20. It's the little things that count. Headphones in my internet cafe? SWEET! A rickshaw ride that isn't bumpy? NO WAY!

.....and many, many more. Won't we miss it when we are gone?