Communication in India: Internet, Phone Calls and WiFi

A few quick facts about communication accessibility in India:

The internet is widely available in most Indian cities, either in hotel business centers or internet cafes. Some hotels do charge for internet usage, based on an hourly rate. Many hotels are wifi accessible, though most do charge a service fee.

There are many options for phone usage. You may call directly from your hotel room, though rates are usually at a premium. The local phone booths are an affordable option. The codes marked on the booth indicate the following:

PCO: Local (within the state)
ISD: International
STD: Interstate (within India)

If you plan on using your cell phone, we strongly recommend calling your provider prior to departure to determine the international rates for calls, texts. and internet. You may also elect to purchase a temporary cell phone or SIM card in India, which allows friends and family to reach you throughout your trip. Incoming minutes are generally free and there are different plans available, depending on usage.

You will find this information and much more in our comprehensive Destination Guide prior to departure.

The International Ecotourism Society

Sodha Travel is proud to be a member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). TIES unites conservation and communities through sustainable travel, and their mission is to "promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." We encourage you to learn more about their organization - the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world. We also invite you to discover ways to incorporate sustainability and conservation in your own travel itinerary.

In 2010, the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) will be held in our own city of Portland, Oregon. We look forward to attending the conference and learning more about "greening" the tourism industry.

Traveler Opinions: Cultural Practices

Many of you contact us with very heartfelt and strong opinions about certain cultural practices that you experience during your trip to India. Of course, we believe this is one of the beautiful elements of world travel: experiencing and observing diversified belief systems.

A tradition that people often want to discuss is arranged marriage: In the 21st century, how can people not choose who to marry? Is it forced? Why does the man have more power in the decision? It certainly is a controversial subject for Westerners, and even now becoming a hot topic in India.

We consider the discussion another opportunity to learn and understand about a country's history and the role it plays in modernity. So please continue sending your topics and opinions to travel@sodhatravel.com. Our office enjoys the dialogue, and it allows us to better connect with our global community.

Portland Resource: Primordial Sound Meditation

Many times, our clients in and around Portland, Oregon (our office location) inquire about Indian activities and resources. Recently, there has been much buzz about Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM), an ancient technique rooted in the Vedic tradition of India . Many hear about PSM through the Chopra Center, as they offer seminars and workshops that require knowledge of PSM.

Elvie Hanken is a certified PSM instructor located in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon. She was ceritified at the Chopra Center in 2001 and offers 2-day courses to learn the benefit and technique of PSM. For more information and to register, please contact her via email: elvieonly@aol.com

Happy Diwali!!

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is this Saturday, October 17. Here is a picture from a Diwali pooja last year in my husband's Delhi home:

Diwali is a national holiday in India and a significant festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Although it is commonly referred to as the "Festival of Lights", its spiritual interpretation is the "awareness of the inner light." Happy Diwali to all!

Lake Periyar: Suspended Boating Services

On October 1, a boat operated by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) capsized in Lake Periyar in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady. As a result of the accident, the government has temporarily suspended all boating and rafting activities until further notice. All tours currently scheduled to visit Thekkady will be notified of any changes/revisions in their itinerary. We will keep you posted with applicable updates.

Featured Tour: Royalty of Rajasthan

As festival season begins, it is always tempting to return to Rajasthan and celebrate under the desert sky. Stars twinkle above brightly lit palaces as the moon cascades its light on homes adorned with frescoes. Rajasthan is the largest state in India, endowed with a natural beauty and royal history. The cities are a colorful display of blue, pink, red, and green, offering a delightful scattering of color in an otherwise arid landscape.

Explore this timelessness of Indian traditionalism on our Royalty of Rajasthan tour. Visit the palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, desert forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, and architecture of Bikaner. Many of our clients return with a particular love for Rajasthan, and soon you will know why.

Please contact us for more details.

SAWERA Fundraiser - A Success!!

Thank you to all who participated in making our 3rd annual SAWERA fundraiser a grand success! Your contributions were humbling and we appreciate the money raised for the women and children. Some of you have inquired about making anonymous donations, and you may do so directly on the SAWERA website.

Again, we thank you for being a part of our biggest event of the year!

Responsible Tourism

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Amitabh Kant titled Branding India: An Incredible Story. Although the publication is currently unavailable in the United States market, I was fortunate to have a friend send it from India. The book explores how India developed and expanded its tourism platform after 2002, including the launch of the Incredible !ndia campaign. As Kant states, "How do you bring a magnificently diverse country - with twenty-eight states, seven union territories, eighteen official languages, and 1.2 billion people - under one brand?" Quite an accomplishment.

One of the topics Kant discusses is the promotion of Responsible Tourism: people who believe in leaving the destination a better place than when they found it. Kant writes, "Responsible Tourism will contribute by maintaining both the natural and cultural heritage of the destination, conserving the living culture of the people and attracting the right kind of visitor." Many travelers in the United States also brand this type of travel Eco-tourism, although the technical definition of Eco-tourism is environmental and not cultural preservation. With a growing interest in green/sustainable energy, many are also requesting tours that incorporate these same elements in their travel package.

Intention and action are very important components of Responsible Tourism. However, I also believe it is the information we share upon returning home after our travel experiences. Not liking particular components of a destination, ie hotels, weather, crowds, etc, should not be expressed as disrespect for cultural practices. We all have our preferences and enjoy different activities. Some prefer luxury accommodations and scheduled touring while others prefer modest accommodations with a leisurely itinerary. However, there are times when people return home from a trip, not just to the Indian sub-continent, and talk condescendingly about a particular culture. I feel it is our responsibility as international travelers - or global participants, as I like to call it - to try and see the beauty in traditions, even if they are a complete reversal from our own. I personally find that 99% of the time, there is a deeper meaning as to why people did not like the country. It had nothing to do with the cultural aspects, but was instead something else. In the end, let us try and appreciate the diversity itself without judging the why or how. And, most importantly, let us responsibly communicate these opinions from a place of consideration.

If you are interested in packages that promote Responsible Tourism, please let us know!