Safety in India

by Delhi Girl
(New Delhi India)

Having read the three previous posts I thought some advice about safety in India might be useful for those of you who are planning trips here.

I am an Aussie and have been visiting the subcontinent since the mid 80's. For the last 11 years I have happily and safely called New Delhi home, working for an NGO.

In all this time I haven't really had any problems because I follow some simple rules - actually they are pretty much the same rules I would follow in any international city. And I don't believe that India is more dangerous than other cities around the world if you think ahead.

1 - Get informed about where you are going before you go - I find out about transport options etc so I can plan.

2 - Carry a mobile phone - they are cheap to buy here (if you are locked into a contract with a carrier at home) and there are plenty of places to add value.

3 - If you are going to arrive after midnight at an airport or railway station, plan ahead - arrange for your hotel to pick you up, or for a radio taxi (such as Merucabs or Easycabs) to pick you up - they are safe, drivers are police verified and cars all have GPS and panic buttons. As a woman I use Meru regularly and have never had a problem with a driver from them. Black and Yellow Taxi drivers on the other hand are often drunk or high at night - so stay away from them. Many major stations train stations in India have waiting rooms that you can book for a few hours or a Cum Sum restaurant where you can safely wait for morning. A few hours of waiting is definitely better than putting yourself at risk. In fact my general rule is that if I am out after 8:30pm I travel by taxi - if you can't get a radio taxi then Black and Yellow taxis from the 5-star hotels are your best bet as those drivers have to prove they are of good character to get the job - the taxi stands being overseen by the hotels.

4 - When travelling by train - I generally travel air-conditioned (AC) - even in winter and especially if I am on my own - Indian women generally do not travel on their own and so I stand out - there is more likely to be someone who speaks fluent English (or even some English) in the air con carriages - a big help if there is a problem.

5 - Many people will ask you for your phone number etc - I have a junk email address I give to people I don't know - later if needed I give them the real one. I don't ever give out the address of my home or the name of the hotel I am staying in to people I don't know.

6 - Be cautious with money - don't disply large amounts of cash - just keep out small amounts - be careful also in pulling out expensive cameras and laptops - as they do attract attention.

7 - Dress appropriately - many tourists (especially women) put themselves at risk because of wearing inappropriate clothing. The best option is to make sure both men and women are covered, long pants or skirts and shirts with sleeves are a must. Despite the fact that you see Indian women wearing western clothes remember that the average rickshaw driver thinks that western women are like those on "Baywatch".

Finally, India is a wonderful place full of adventures and fun. Don't let a few scaremongers stop you from visiting my wonderful adopted home - it is worth the visit.