Poor India

Slums, beggars, minimum salary around 100 euros a month for legal workforce, 350 million people living for less than the absolute poverty line of 1,25 USD a day, stories about cutting arms or legs of children to make them better beggars.

By the way, I have seen hundreds of poor individuals and families who live under bridges or in small slum areas present everywhere in New Delhi. Kids play like kids play. Most of these people keep smiling. Actually, I started thinking that I cannot find as many smiling people in the streets of Finnish cities.

Mystical India

Tens of thousands of gods to worship, hundreds of thousands of places where to worship, caste system still active and kicking, girls unwanted, servants using their own doors and elevators, everyone saying that the servant quarters definitely does not need a shower. The servant quarters is usually a small room in basement with a toilet somewhere nearby.

I just watched Lagaan, the only Indian movie in BBC's list of 50 movies to see before you die. Great film. Three and half hours, like many other Bollywood movies. Story is about a cricket match between a rural village and Brittish rulers. The plot touches a lot of key traditions, culture, history and mindsets. Highly recommended.