Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720530)

I for one know very little about the caste system and I do not really want to know anything about it as I feel that it should not exist but I do recall a respectably dressed young Indian male saying to me that he likes the British because they will shake his hand and treat him politely when Indians treat him like dirt because of his caste.

Originally Posted by k800mer (Post 9720727)

From what you say it sounds to me like it still is an issue, otherwise why would you make the comment about wedding caterers.
I do not believe I have never been discriminated against for my class, only my gender.

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720450)

Perhaps I find it very tiresome to read so many posts stating gross generalisations often not based on actual knowledge.

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720450)

This column was judging a country on the basis of not getting an immediate visa and losing his duty free. Tongue in cheek or not, this was just one experience and I have had similar bad experience with British Airways and Heathrow (was that a reason to blame the UK in general).

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720450)

The Indian Government (not India ) yes is a disgrace (in my opinion).

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720450)

What may I politely ask do you actually know about the caste system other than what you have read?

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9720450)

Finally as I have asked before; why is it OK to put post after post of negative views regarding India but not OK to put a different view.

Originally Posted by goanstay (Post 9720773)

Perhaps you do, but it seems that every comment made about India and indians in a light-hearted mocking way is jumped on by you. Lighten up. I'm a foreigner and so are you. We will always be treated that way, because that's the Indian way of life. Until that changes India will remain a poorer nation.

So someone explaining his experiences and advising other travellers to avoid the same is wrong?

Well who elected them ? If not the dynastic politics and caste based voting system which enables an MLA to remain in power despite being convicted as a criminal. Politicians in India believe, and prove time after time, that they are above the law. A large proportion of public servants, seem to forget that they are there to serve the public and not themselves


Quite a lot actually, I have also read up extensively on the subject. Having married an Indian lady 28 years ago and having gone through threats of death, as a family being ostracised, with her father refusing to visit our house until he died. Yes I've seen and continue to see prime examples of the caste system in action and I hate it with a vengeance. Your later quotes go on to emphasise that you still see people, not as people but as from a lower caste.

There is nothing wrong with putting an alternative view forward, that is the purpose of debate (a forum). But then you are probably afraid to debate the big issues.

Like why is India one of the most racist countries in the world and what is going to be done about it?
Why is there such a massive gap between Rich and poor?
Why is the country so insular that it applies protectionist policies and yet at the same time claim to be an emerging economy
Why does hardly anybody pay tax, and yet has come to expect the government to bail them out when they hit difficulties?
Why is there so much black money around?
Why does hardly anybody give you a receipt unless you insist on it?
Why do all the politicians drive around in big cars and the man on the street still struggles to make end meet?
Why is there a dual pricing system?

Originally Posted by noni (Post 9721227)

http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details...10%2f29%2f2011

Goan Families still give Dowry

It still happens in Goa!

Originally Posted by k800mer (Post 9721422)

Not surprised at all. We watched a new motor cycle being delivered to the groom at a village wedding.

Originally Posted by noni (Post 9721599)

:sneaky:

taxi's, bikes, plot of land etc.

Originally Posted by k800mer (Post 9721721)

Dowrys are a discrimination against females, probably one of the less harmfull of India's discriminations against females if you include the murder of girl babies and the marrying off of girl children to men of any age. All of these I believe have been banned by the Indian Government but still continue.

Originally Posted by noni (Post 9721745)

But we all know it still goes on, including the arranged marriages etc. Have seen so many of the girls upset there as they have to marry.

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9721782)

Again generalisation. Atrocities go on yes, and no excuse; I emphasise this.
But what proportion of the population? There are less abortions of girl babies in India as a percentage of population, than in UK, if you take the rough figure of 50% of aborted babies in UK are girls.
Arranged marriage is not the same thing as forced marriage. If you use the word 'match-making' would it seem better to you because that is what it is? Forced marriage is without excuse wrong and illegal.
Arranged marriage is toally different. Will explain it to you if you wish and in many communities girls have the 'upper hand', with their 'shopping list of wishes'.
I think world over girls can be upset at thinking they 'have' to marry.
As to gifts after marriage, this is very much a Goan thing, doesn't happen so much elsewhere. (pseudo-dowry is different).

Originally Posted by dreadsoc (Post 9721802)

Where did you get your statistics from to compare the rate of termination of female foetus between India and the UK?

Their are arguments for and against arranged marriages. I have spoken to many Indian and Goan folks who want their parents to find them a spouse. I have also spoken to others who wish to marry for love - that is when the problems begin.
Similarly the issue of arranged marriage regularly becomes problematic in the UK, often with the naturalised children of immigrants from a number of regions where arranged marriage is the norm. The problem arises when parents want to continue their origin country tradition, but the kids have grown up in Britain and been exposed to the freedoms therein and want to break with tradition. In a number of cases this has led to honour based violence and in a few cases honour based killings. It is a sad fact of life when two cultures clash.

I am not that convinced that the dowry thing is exclusive to Goa. Speaking to most of the beach hawkers, dowry seems commonplace, certainly in Karnatica.

Dread - x

Originally Posted by gregit (Post 9721866)

Did I miss something here?

Bipat don't you see it says something is'nt quite right with 'BABY KILLING' by 'GENDER', no matter what figures come out for termination's in other countries.

Now there is a polite way to ask for 'Dowry'? And if it's not paid? Then the cold blooded harassment, and possibly murder of the bride.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10537251.cms

Originally Posted by Bipat (Post 9721820)

I found the figures some time ago cannot remember exactly the numbers will look it up again. Yes we have all heard of honour killings etc. this is not the 'norm'. What you read in the newspapers is not the everyday happening of the majority.
Love marriages have always taken place, I could write a book about various intrigues in our family (thinking about it there is Me!!!). in fact they are becoming more common as girls travel more and meet more boys. Girls are also becoming more choosy. The lady who helps in our house was sent off by her daughter to view a boy (at a wedding ) with a list, top point "not short", unfortunately he was short, that was the end of that.
Arrangements can be fun, women in the kitchen thinking about boys for their daughters or nieces.
As to the dowry question I was referring to 'Goan Gifts' this is different, Goans seem to have the habit of giving and receiving gifts for every occasion it can be too much. Dowry is illegal but it still goes on everywhere, and can sour a good arrangement and spoil the wedding (and everybody knows if money or goods have been asked for). Our particular community does not have a dowry system, but many girsl are marrying 'out' and it can be asked for in a subtle way.