Is it safe to explore India?

Question

Now i'm planning to have a trip to asia. Is it safe to travel in India? Some people say that it is very dangerous to have a trip to India.
I really wanna go there, but I don't know...well....

Answer 1

As a rule India is quite safe for foreigners. However, check with your embassy and ask for local advice before heading to Kashmir or northeast India (Assam, Nagaland, Tripura,and Manipur), as both areas have long-running insurgencies. Also take extra caution when travelling at night in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttaranchal and certain areas of the large metros.

Unfortunately thefts are quite common in places visited by tourists, but violent thefts hardly ever occur. More likely a thief will pick your pocket (see pickpockets) or break into your room. There is little culture of muggings in India.

When travelling by autorickshaw, never ever get into the vehicle if there is another person accompanying the driver. This always spells trouble for unwary travellers.

Westerners, particularly women, attract the attention of beggars, frauds and touts. Beggars will often go as far as touching you, and following you tugging on your sleeve. It does little good to get angry or to say "No" loudly. The best response is to look unconcerned and ignore the behavior. The more attention you pay to a beggar or a tout -- positive or negative -- the longer they will follow you hoping for a payback. As always in India, patience is required.

Westerners should not trust strangers offering assistance or services. Be particularly wary of frauds at tourist attractions such as the temples of Kanchipuram, where they prey on those unfamiliar with local and religious customs. See Common scams.

Westerners should be cautious when visiting villages and rural areas in the night. Bandits occasionally abduct and rob Westerners visiting India, as it is assumed they possess large amounts of wealth. But this is rare and happens most often in remote areas. Ask at your hotel to see if this is an issue in your area. Also, think twice about taking night buses or driving at night in these areas. Bandits are said to stop night buses with fake checkpoints and rob everyone inside. The frequency of this occurring is extremely low and the state governments are working hard to arrest these bandit groups, but take extra care nonetheless.
India is a conservative country and some western habits are perceived as dishonorable for a woman in this culture.

* Outside of the larger cities, it is unusual for people of the opposite sex to touch each other in public. Even couples (married or otherwise) refrain from public displays of affection. Therefore, it is advised that you do not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex unless the other person extends his/her hand first. The greeting among Hindus is to bring your palms together in front of your chest, or simply saying 'Namaste', or 'Vanakkam' in Tamil Nadu. Both forms are equally polite and correct, if a little formal. Almost all the people (even if they don't know English) do understand a "hi" or a "hello".

* Except in major cities (and only in trendy places or in high society) women do not smoke. A woman who smokes/drinks is associated with loose moral character in much of the rest of the country's growing middle class.

* Places such as Discos/Dance clubs are less-conservative areas. It is good to leave your things at a hotel and head down there for a drink and some light conversation.

* People are fully-clothed even at the beach. So, be sure to find out what the appropriate attire is for the beach you are visiting. (In some rare places like Goa, where the visitors to beach are predominantly foreigners, it is permissible to wear bikinies on the beach but it is still offensive to go about dressed in western swim wear away from the beach).

* In local trains, there are usually cars reserved only for women and designated as such on their front.

* In most buses (private and public) a few seats at the front of the bus are reserved for women, although it can be difficult to get men to vacate them even when the seat is clearly marked.

* Street parties for holidays are usually devoid of women but filled with crowds of inebriated men partying. During festivals such as Holi, New Year's Eve, and even Christmas Eve, women can be subjected to groping and sexually aggressive behaviour from these crowds. It is unsafe for women to attend these festivities alone.

* Friendly conversation with men you meet on trains, etc. is often confused with flirtation/availability. In some scenarios, this can lead to unexpected sexual advances (this happens to Indian women as well, not just Westerners). Befriending Indian women, however, can be a wonderful experience for female travellers, though you might have to initiate conversation.

* Dressing in traditional Indian clothes, such as salwaar kameez (comfortable and good in) or saree (more formal and difficult to wear) will generally garner Western women more respect in the eyes of locals. Show some enthusiasm for the traditional Indian way of life and you may find that men will treat you more like a 'lady' than an object.

* "Eve Teasing"is a term used in Indian English to refer to anything from unwanted verbal advances to physical sexual assault.
If you want to exlore India, feel free to come in our counry with out any worriness, but be careful with the above poins i mentioned above.

Answer 2

Yes, you can travel to India. There is absolutely no problem.

But, after coming to India .. see to that you join other tourist group who are already touring in India. Since because you are coming for the first time, I believe this will help you in a great deal.

Whenever you visit any place, it is recommended that you contact the local tourist office about the places to go etc; If you are interested in exploring unknown regions in India then better take a local guide with you.

Welcome to India. I wish you have a wonderful experience.

Answer 3

I think u should go there. If u feel scare than i told u that danger is everywhere not in India but in America also. If u think about danger than i think u never enjoy ur trip in everypart of the world.
India is one of the country where u found kindness or happinese.
so visit there and enjoy ur trip.

Answer 4

ya it is very safe to explore india. in india some places in jammu and kasmir should not be visited because it is not safe because of the terrorist. but india is a worth to have a look . you will never find abetter place. i ensure you. best of luck.

Answer 5

i heard india is a good country with polite people ,but as far navmac told what is india iam really afraid

Answer 6

Well as long as u believe in god, he will always be there by ur side, no matter what and keep u safe

Answer 7

uummmhh...depends on what do u want to explore in India..!

Answer 8

yes u can buddy.India is a good country.Where u from?