Some Things India Did Right

I know that I normally rip on India, making it sound a bit odd or maybe somewhat depressing. But, here are some things that the country got really right:

1. Pay-to-use toilets. Sounds fancy. These public facilities are everywhere, sometimes even minutes from each other (like Starbucks). And they may be lacking in the cleanliness department, but asking each person to only pony up one or two rupees to use the bathroom is great. This means that the government can put more toilets around, because taxpayers aren't paying for them. And everyone needs to use the bathroom, so these puppies pay for themselves. Of course, this doesn't stop men from going Number 1 even just outside.

2. Protected monuments. India's got a very long and complex history, which left behind ruins and religious buildings galore. So, the government got wise and protected them. Plastics are not allowed in many places (though sometimes you see them here and there). Guards watch everyone like hawks. And fees keep visitors at bay. And the best part is that EVERYTHING seems to be protected. You can't go into a city without seeing at least one building with a sign outside saying that it's protected by the government. Of course, some of these buildings become homes for the homeless, but for the most part, they are left only for the cautious tourists.

3. The bus system. Okay, everyone raves about the train system. Sure, it goes to lots of places, but personally, I don't really like it. I've only ridden a train three times since arriving here. They are highly inconvenient. Usually you need to book days in advance, and then travel kilometers out of town just to get to the station. The bus system really is the unsung hero of the Indian transportation system. Each state owns and manages its buses through a corporation (eg. Kerala State Road Transportation Corporation, or KSRTC for short). Private buses are also allowed in the mix. These buses leave constantly. I rarely have to wait long to catch a bus to the location of my choice. They go to small villages, just in case I need to visit somewhere remote. And while they may be rusting tin buckets with drivers who have death wishes, you still get to your location at a timely fashion, and after paying much less than you would for a train.