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Posts Tagged ‘Hyderabad’

India and China: A comparison

Posted in China, India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , on September 19, 2009| 5 Comments »

In a previous posting, I wrote about my observations of China from my one week stay in Beijing.   Earlier in the year, I visited India after six years, spending time in Hyderabad and Kerala—you can read my observations from that trip here (or click on the links to the side under the heading India Trip Observations).    During my stay in China, I found that 1) my pre-conceived notions of what I expected China to be often was based on my experiences in India and 2) internally, I would often compare my China observations to my India observations for a particular attribute.    The reason for this is based on the parallels of significant growth that China and India have been both experiencing over the last decade, the wide media coverage of both of these countries which often compares them to each other, as well as their common status as the most populous countries in the world.

Given that, here are my armchair comparisons of India and China in a few areas and more specifically Hyderabad (population approximately 4 million and Beijing (population approximately 12 million (metro) , (more…)

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India trip observations- Lifestyle

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , on March 30, 2009| 5 Comments »

Continuing my India trip observations, the next set of observations relates to lifestyle and consumer characteristics I noticed.   Parameters surrounding my observations are documented in this initial posting

Lifestyle

Various tidbits related to the changing lifestyle that I noticed in the cities I visited.

Consumer Products and Technology

  • Consumer technology advances are quite evident.  For example, Tivo like home devices are being advertised more regularly and visible on busy roadway billboards and television ads.
  • Satellite and cable television have been a staple for many years, but the number of channels, and western channels, continues to increase.

(more…)

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India trip observations- Tourism

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2009| 3 Comments »

Continuing my India trip observations, the next set of observations relates to the tourist industry, primarily in Kerala.  Parameters surrounding my observations are documented in this initial posting.

Tourism

  • Our experience with the tour operators of Kerala was exceptional.    We found a Kerala tour operator/travel agent while still in the US who arranged for our 6 day stay in four different locations in Kerala- Cochin, Alleppey, Kovalum, and Trivandrum.   She planned everything meticulously and truly exemplified service.
  • In Cochin, we stayed in a home-stay, a growing tourist concept in Kerala; basically a home where each room is rented to guests who are served meals together; similar to a bed and breakfast.    (more…)

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India trip observations- Environment

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , on March 29, 2009| 1 Comment »

Continuing my India trip observations, the next set of observations relates to environmental aspects of society.   Parameters surrounding my observations are documented in this initial posting.

Environment

Before the trip, I was warned about the pollution in Hyderabad and that I should try to stay inside during the day.   Furthermore, you often read today about the level of consumption increases in places like India and China and the corresponding impact to the environment related to that consumption.   Given this, I tried to keep heightened awareness of the environmental and energy practices around me during my trip.

  • I found the pollution in Hyderabad not to be as bad as I had expected. Of course, during the day, I was primarily inside a car or indoors, but the times I was walking around during the day, I was expecting that I may cough or be noticeably bothered by the air. Fortunately, I didn’t find that to be the case, but I suspect if I was out walking for extended periods of time daily, my experience may have been different.
  • I did, however, notice a few, but not many, motorcycle drivers or passengers wearing a scarf or handkerchief over their mouth and nose due to what I assume was the pollution. Given, their exposure to the open air and the growth in vehicles on the road all around them, the motorcycle drivers seem to be taking the brunt of the pollution. Again, those wearing scarves were clearly the minority, but I suspect this trend will increase over time. (more…)

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India trip observations- IT industry

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , on March 10, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Continuing my India trip observations, the next set of observations relates to primarily Hyderabad’s IT industry.     Parameters surrounding my observations are documented in this initial posting

IT Industry

Hyderabad has an active hi-tech scene and after Bangalore, is likely the second largest IT center in India.  Below are some observations relating to the hi-tech industry in primarily Hyderabad.

  • Six years ago, I noticed many more posters, signs, and billboards advertising IT skills programs teaching .net and java and other technology programs than this year.
  • While the number of IT training course signs looked to be fewer than years ago, I noticed many more signs promoting Animation and Visual effects courses in Hyderabad and even Kerala.  One of the first animated feature films was released in India and it appears animation is becoming a blossoming industry in India. (more…)

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India trip observations- Globalization

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 9, 2009| 3 Comments »

Continuing my India trip observations, the next set of observations relates to globalization.     Parameters surrounding my observations are documented in this initial posting.

Globalization

  • Signs of globalization were everywhere; for example, the sheer diversity of automobile brands was much greater than 6 years ago.   I saw American brands of Ford and Chevrolet, European brands of Volvo and BMV, Asian brands of Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai.  Of course, the Indian brands of Maruti, Tata plus the traditional Ambassador vehicles still make their presence.   Even noticed a couple of luxury Porsches.
  • Brand diversity in food was also quite evident.   McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Hut, Pizza Corner, Dominos, KFC, Baskin Robbins, and a coffee chain called Coffee World all have multiple locations in Hyderabad.  Six years ago, majority of those brands were not in Hyderabad.  However, in the smaller cities in Andhra Pradesh, I did not see the global food restaurants yet.   This time, I even noticed a couple of Mexican, Thai, and Italian restaurants, which I had not noticed in the past.   Pizza seems to have become much more popular; a pizza from Pizza Corner (owned by a Swiss parent company) tastes somewhat like a pizza at California Pizza Kitchen, which they will deliver directly to your home.  A medium vegetarian pizza was 245 rupees (about $5.30). (more…)

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India trip observations- Economy

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , on March 6, 2009| 2 Comments »

As I indicated in my earlier posting, my next series of postings will focus on observations of India during my recent visit in December 08/January 09.     Again, these comments are based solely on my observations visiting cities and observing middle class life  in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.   My last trip to India was 6 years ago and my comments generally focus on changes I noticed during the last six years, from the lens of a non-resident Indian born and raised in the US who has visited India generally every 5-6 years.   The first set of observations revolve around economic changes or conditions in the cities I visited.

Economy

Most have read about the continued economic growth in India over the past several years, but seeing it first hand really drives it home.   Observations are related to the noticeable growth but also some slowdowns to that growth that have hit India and the world during the past year.

Housing

  • In Hyderabad, I stayed in an 8 floor building of flats near Banjara Hills built in 2004.  Nearly, the whole area of flats has been built in the past several years. (more…)

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India trip observations

Posted in India, Travel, tagged , , , , , , on February 22, 2009| Leave a Comment »

I just completed a 3 week trip to India in December 2008/January 2009, visiting cities in two states- Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Born and raised in the United States to Indian parents, I haven’t lived in India but have visited parts of India generally every 5-6 years. Trips to India where I was at an impressionable age were in 1984, 1990, 1993, 2002, and 2008. Significant change has occurred since my last visit 6 years ago and this note documents some of my observations and reflections about changes or general characteristics of modern day India in the cities I visited. To me, it was a fascinating trip—intellectually stimulating to think about how India will continue to adapt to the economic growth that has unfolded in the country over the last several years (often in urban areas) while simultaneously dealing with the needs of more rural areas and those that make their living off of the soil (2/3 of India), all within the context of the largest democracy in the world with a population consisting of many different religions, languages, and customs. And to add to the complexity, India now has to deal with a slowing economy after getting accustomed to the growth over the last several years.

This past trip I visited the following cities in Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad (population 7 million), Guntur (population of ~ 800 thousand), Vijayvada (population of near 2 million). (more…)

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