Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PRACTICALITIES
»
Newspapers & Magazines
Major English-language dailies include the
Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indi-
an Express, Hindu, Statesman, Telegraph, Daily News & Analysis (DNA)
and
Economic Times
. Regional
English-language and local-vernacular publications are found nationwide. Incisive current-affairs magazines in-
clude
Frontline, India Today, Week, Open
,
Tehelka
and
Outlook
.
»
Radio
Government-controlled All India Radio (AIR), India's national broadcaster, has over 220 stations broad-
casting local and international news. Private FM channels broadcast music, current affairs, talkback and more.
»
TV & Video
The national (government) TV broadcaster is Doordarshan. More people watch satellite and cable
TV; English-language channels include BBC, CNN, Star World, HBO, National Geographic and Discovery.
»
Weights & Measures
Officially India is metric. Terms you're likely to hear are: lakhs (one lakh = 100,000)
and crores (one crore = 10 million).
Homestays/B&Bs For Paying Guests
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These family-run guesthouses will appeal to those seeking a small-scale, uncommercial setting with home-cooked
meals.
»
Standards range from mud-and-stone village huts with hole-in-the-floor toilets to comfortable middle-class homes in
cities.
»
Be aware that some hotels market themselves as 'homestays' but are run like hotels with little (or no) interaction with
the family.
»
Contact local tourist offices for full lists of participating families.
Railway Retiring Rooms
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Most large train stations have basic rooms for travellers holding an ongoing train ticket or Indrail Pass. Some are
grim, others are surprisingly pleasant, but suffer from the noise of passengers and trains.
»
They're useful for early-morning train departures and there's usually a choice of dormitories or private rooms
(24-hour checkout) depending on the class you're travelling in.
»
Some smaller stations may have waiting rooms instead of retiring rooms. These are large halls with rows of chairs
(similar to an airport lounge but with substantially lower degrees of comfort and cleanliness), and are usually located in
the vicinity of toilets and cafeterias. Once again, there may be different waiting rooms for passengers travelling in differ-
ent classes.
Temples & Pilgrims' Rest Houses
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Accommodation is available at some ashrams (spiritual retreats), gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and
dharamsalas
(pil-
grims' guesthouses) for a donation or a nominal fee. Vegetarian meals are usually available at the refectories.
»
These places have been established for genuine pilgrims so please exercise judgment about the appropriateness of
staying.
»
Always abide by any protocols. Smoking and drinking within the premises are a complete no-no.
