Things not to miss in Delhi, India

Living in delhi for 30 years gives you an idea of the coolest things to do that are not readily written about in travel blogs, sites and magazines. The places include the ones that foreigners from around the world have loved doing and one shall always find somethone International here. These places include the streets, bars, cafes and restaurants.

1. Elma's



      Haus Khas Village

One place that everyone visits is Haus Khas Viillage, the place is an untouched beauty in Delhi. It has a beautiful water body surrounded by fort structures , giving it a beautiful touch that adds to the serenely of the place. Haus Khas village, popularly known as HKV, is not just a heritage site but also a bustling crazy pub,bar joint in Delhi. One will always find the best crowd here. It does not look a place anywhere from Delhi. Haus Khas Village has one of the best cafes the town has to offer - ELMA'S. The cafe has three layers, beautifully decorated with soulful music. The cakes and coffee are touted to be the best. The owner is an Indian, settled in London who has perfect sense of good coffee and cakes. You will love this place and will definitely visit it more than once in case you have time in Delhi

It is situated in South Delhi, reaching Haua Khas Village is easy from Haus Khas Metro station or Malviya Nagar Metro station with a 10 min walk or a 5 minute auto ride. This place definitely requires more than half a day. I would recommend it as 10 out of 10 in terms of ambience, beauty and  cafes,pubs to visit.

There are many many bars , restaurants and stores in Haus Khas Village

2. Nizamuddin

One of the untouched places but surprisingly visited by many foreign tourists. Nizamuddin has a dargah (Mosque ) and has a feel of old delhi, situated very close to Central, South Delhi . This place has a feel to it. There is a street food market connected to the darga that serves exquisite mural tandoori(roasted) food. All people who are looking at well cooked chicken tikkas, mutton tikkas should definitely visit. Word of caution for women security, do not visit this place alone and cover your head when walking through the alley. Its a muslim dominated area so one tends to be conservative.




3. Torquoise Cottahe, Adchini, near saket.

If you are into rock and would love to have beer with the young mad India youngster around. Torquoise is the place to be , popularly known as TC, they only play rock music of all sensibilities and has the younger crowd running mad inside. They serve every international beer/alcohol you would want to enjoy.



4. Karims, Old Delhi

A hotel where you get Mughal delicacies soaked in curd and best spices found in this part of the world. This is a kings lunch and dinner place. The food is exquisite and the serving speed in majestic. Karim's is just opposite the entrance of Jama Masjid. Its a must visit place for bar-be-que lovers and serves the traditional loved food of the mughals which lived here in the fourteenth and fifteenth century.

Visit Taj with online booking, travel on high speed lane to Taj, Agra - Emergency call police -100

Every news that comes with regard to technological improvement in the government systems receives a cheer, but this one receives a cheer from foreigners around the world. Tourists can book tickets for visiting Taj Mahal online.  Taj Mahal is truly a WONDER, its sheer symmetry, smooth marble and structure will captivate you. Many people do not like anything about India except Taj mahal. They say India still has to work up to reach higher but Taj Mahal is one of the most amazing sights.

Yes, one just needs to visit the following website -

http://www.tajmahal.gov.in/ticketing.html

For a foreign tourist the charges are Rs. 750 and for foreigners from SAARC countries the charges are Rs.510/-. The website mentions everything about the visiting timings, gate entrances, amount payable in local currency of your country.

This will make things easier for every visitor who has travelled from Delhi to reach Agra solely for visiting Taj mahal. The time it takes by car is -2-3 hours ( on high speed highway) and train also takes about the same time. Agra is in Uttar Pradesh, this means that many touts, beggars, chain snatchers are going to be vying for your money. Foreigners are advised to be careful at all times during such visits. Its a crowded city with no major economic reform. One needs to be cautious. Many times foreigners have taken security officers for cover, specially solo female foreign travellers. They have benefitted from such security as the security officers protect them from unwanted attention, touts, travel agents on the road. There are many fast food chains near Taj Mahal, Agra from Mcdonalds to KFC. Do not try road side food if you care about your stomach.



       
 Taj Mahal is a wonder and you will fall in love with it but be careful of touts that roam around everywhere in and around Taj Mahal. Do not worry too much, just be careful.

Recently, a californian woman lost her jewellery and had to go from pillar to post to get her complaint registered with the police, now the government has taken swift action and made sure that police comes for rescue operation to the place where foreigners are stuck. Just call 100 , no prefix or suffix, no code in case you are anywhere in India.

Anywhere one feels cheated by taxi drivers, hoteliers, travel guide or any other touts , please call 100 and the police will come immediately for help at the destination.

The police in India is becoming more responsive to the security of foreigners in India, they are faster to reach at the spot and even faster to lodge a complain ( it could take days in earlier times)

Whenever you feel stuck the best thing to do is call the police - 100

The call automatically connects you to the police team that takes necessary steps to ensure that safety and security is maintained.

Even Tom cruise specially travelled to visit Taj on his maiden journey to India.

Taj Mahal is a beautiful place to see but many times such an experience can become sour because of the cheats, touts and overcharging tour guides hounding you throughout.

The cheapest way to reach Taj Mahal, Agra,Uttar Pradesh, India is through volvo buses that leave from central Delhi and arrive in Agra in approximately 4-5 hours. These cabs are generally Air conditioned and the new trend is the Volvo brand so most out of city travel buses are volvo.

The charges for such travel from Delhi to Agra are between Rs.450/- to Rs.550/-

For more information on safety for foreigners in India click here - http://denetimservices.com/safety-for-foreigners/

Educated Working Women raped by Radio cab Driver in Delhi

The news itself causes you to concern about whether to visit India or stay away. Humanity and population have taken a new direction that is making this crazy country the worst place for women to live in. The woman had a few drinks with her friends at Cyber Hub in Gurgaon, near her office and then met friends at Vasant Vihar, Delhi. From here she booked a cab through the new services - Uber. She had to go to East Delhi and she dozed off during her trip, when she woke up she found herself in a secluded area with driver touching her inappropriately. She couldn't call for help and the driver threatened her with life. After raping her he dropped her home. She managed to take a picture of the cab and now the driver has been caught by the police in Mathura, three hours away from Delhi.


Uber has the graciousness to say that they have cancelled his membership with their company. The driver had a fake number and the cab did not have a GPS. This is the kind of service the international company is providing in India. the question changes to what is wrong with this country and who should a foreigner or any educated Indian trust when intending to utilise services.

According to the news, Uber did not have any details about the driver, can you imagine that the driver did not even have a driving license, we at Denetim are surprised that how has Uber been able to back its claims of safety guaranteed. This information is based on the news coverage of this shocking rape that has taken place a couple of days back. The driver was absconding and even the SIM card was not registered in his name. The police got hold of more information from the car registration which was available because the girl clicked a picture when the driver dropped her back.

When the woman woke up in the car, he threatened her to co-operate or he will insert a rod inside her genitals by giving her the example of what happened during the December rape case.

The result is orchestrated political reaction and not a conclusive operative action that should have been taken after such a incident happened to years back.

Even the media will play around with this news and forget it, just like December 16th, they should infact try and raise this unsafe capital issue on weekly basis to ensure that it reaches the correct ears to have proper judicial and government reaction. Two years after the horrific gang rape case that happened on 16th December , 2012 , the perpetrators are still not been punished with the crime, they are still in jail without the result of Death Penalty being completed, this is because the case is going further up the judiciary and finally reached the Supreme Court. We hope it speeds up now and results in finalisation of the death penalty.

Every woman that travels to India does think about her safety and counties to fear traveling to India. Will we ever change the way we behave ourselves with the better sex, will we ever respect woman the way we have idolised them by having many many woman gods. It will take more that education, laws and government action to change this. Hopefully evolution will help weed the bad eggs out in future as their survival is diminished in Indian jails and they can try everything but they will spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Understanding important Hindi words - Most helpful hindi for International Travelers

This is the list of the most important words that you can use in day to day conversations when traveling India. These words cover the important words that can assist you in helping converse with Indians who do not speak English. 

Many words are listed to help you manage shun away intruders, followers, stalkers or anyone trying to be too cheap during your travel.

AAP – Formal – You

Thank you – Shukriya  / Dhaniyabad

Nahin - No

Mein – ME

Khana – Food

Panni – Water

Naam – Name

Ghar – Home

Kya – What

Kyu – Why

Bhasha – Language

Desh – Country

Mera naam John hai – My name is John

Mein France se hu – I am from France

Nahin Chaiye – I don’t want it

Hut jao – Move Away

Aapka Naam kya hai – What is your name ?

Aapka Din accha jaye – you have a good day

Words that everyone India understands: YES EVERYONE

THIS IS BECAUSE ENGLISH IS ALMOST INCORPORATED IN OUR LANGUAGE AND HAS BEEN  TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS SINCE MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

·      TIME,

·      WATCH  

·      BATTERY,

    PHOTO

    CLICK PHOTO

    MINERAL WATER  - BOTTLE PANI

·      PIZZA, 

·      FAST ,

·      HAPPY,

·      LAPTOP,

·      COMPUTER,

·      MOBILE,

·      CAR,

·      BUS

·      TRUCK

·      AUTORICKSHAW

·      SHOES

·      SOCKS

·      TOOTHBRUSH

·      TOOTHPASTE

·      SHAMPOO

·      ROADS,

·      SEA

·      SHIP

·      PLANE

·      TABLE,

·      CHAIR,

·      STAIRS,

·      COURT,

·      TICKETS

·      GLASS
BOTTLE

·      CHOCOLATE

·      RAILWAYS

·      HOUSE

and many many  more words. A person who understands English will ot face any trouble in India, at least in the major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, Bhopal and many more. Certain places the regional dialect plays a much important role. For instance , Chennai and many other southern cities even we Indians who do not speak Tamil can understand and communicate.

Mastering Basic Hindi Words will reach help you bargain and handle the crazy Indian crowd. At times knowing these words is a powerful weapon to scare the crazy Indian off. It does not mater if it has an accent. Just needs to be loud and clear.