Feedback:   Great feeling to know that the Maverick Spirit was missed... the feedback was overwhelming and I really appreciate the time people take to write and share... THANK YOU!

There is a special prize for those of you who spot the comment from a very unhappy camper who obviously doesn't think too highly of me... that's life I suppose?

Wayne

How interesting that for so long you've been a morning ritual of peruse, smile and bin until you weren't there for a while and I missed the routine.

Glad to see you're back in the saddle and I promise not to take "Maverick" for granted in future.

Michael White
www.frontlinediagnostics.com.au

Hi Wayne

In the mid 1990's I lived for 9months in Goa, approx 600klms south of Mumbai

Pulling together USD800million of Power Projects, my local partner was Rau's (the prime minister) sister-in-law

I never came to terms with the poverty & contempt that the Indians had for each other, & was continually bemused that when in people's houses everything was kept under lock & key, because they stole from each other

From experience & observation (very generally) Indians are traders (even happy to make 1 rupee on the trade) whilst Chinese are the capitalists & workers

I'm not sure how one works with (I had great difficulty) the endemic corruption that pervades throughout Indian business life

India is a huge & diverse country, so far it would appear that apathy & corruption & caste (contempt) & bureaucracy has slowed it's development & progress

I think that you'll find that most of the beggars are that "beggars" admittedly in the major cities, begging is frequently "a business" - there are just not sufficient jobs to employ every one - however that does not justify the abject poverty that many live in - some estimate 20+% of the population - that's 200 million people

Keith Ralf

Great newsletter Wayne – I really enjoyed it.

I have been to India 3 times and I agree with your observations.

I have sold the coffee business, and now own the Sydney rights to and an online restaurant dining guide: www.eatout-sydney.com.au

Fenwick Snowdon

This one snuck in............

[expletive deleted]

take me off this list, I'm not interested in the crap that dribbles from your mouth...

obviously unhappy punter!!

Wayne

I agree fully with your assessment of about India. The contrasts and contradictions apparent at every turn make India an intriguing destination.

I too received advice in India to ignore the beggars. Something that was painfully hard to do but absolutely necessary. The refusal of food clearly shows that appearances can be deceptive. The common story I heard was that despite all appearances the beggars are very capable of looking after themselves and the babes in arms often were “hired” specifically for the occasion. It gave me the impression of being a highly organised system.

In the more remote rural areas of India where, I suspect, poverty may have been an even greater problem than in the cities, we never experienced that type of harassment. Our appearance on the streets certainly attracted attention, particularly from the children who were curious and entertaining and who wanted to see the photo’s of themselves, but who asked for nothing in return.

For those travellers who feel the need to help the best way would be through those reputable charities (here or in India) who guarantee the rupees are put to good use.

Rob Souter

Hi Wayne.

Just a note to say thanks again for the inspiration, and to wish you luck with your venture in India.

It was interesting your observation of the beggars in the streets and that whole culture of corruption by western standards. My Friend has finished his dealings with his partners in India, and enjoyed less than satisfying results. he develops software and in the industry he is in, near enough isn't good enough. He found that the nicer he was with these people, the more they took advantage of him, and that a veneer or coat of paint approach was the preferred method rather than do the job properly. Then would come the negotiations after the "deal" was done, or so he thought......Needless to say, after trying an number of companies, he changed his approach and went elsewhere.

It certainly is a fascinating country, it really does remind you of how lucky we are in many respects, and while this country is far from perfect, we are incredibly blessed. I have friends who were originally from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and they can't wait to get back on the plane to their home here is Aus.

Anyway, good luck with your venture in the sub continent. There is huge potential there, but it in so many ways it is the "Wild West" and I'm not talking about a big night out in Margaret River ;-)

Chris Wilson

Hi Wayne

I was glad to see the Spirit and interested in your experiences in India. We visited there last year (mostly in the north) and found begging to be pretty rare perhaps it is more prevalent in the south , which is next on the agenda to visit. Mostly there was a thousand hawkers trying to sell us things or wanting money for us to take their picture. Since I've had so many pictures of me taken in my life and felt grumpy about it - I shelled out happily.
We adored India and took the same approach as the person you featured in your newsletter, which was to try and engage professional beggars in conversation or find a mutual interest - and we did buy a whole heap of stuff that we've really enjoyed (postcards, DVD's, jewellery etc). One thing I would say is to watch out for pirated copies of CD's, DVD's and even books by famous Indian authors. We did our best to make sure we were buying the real thing even if we had to pay more for it.

Good luck with spreading your business to India - it's a hell of a challenge but I'm sure you're good for it.

Muriel Cooper
Web: www.talkingroom.com.au

 

Wayne Mansfield Editor

The Maverick Spirit Newsletter
eMail: thespirit@spiritmailer.com

Published by The Maverick Partnership
Perth Western Australia

Phone:  +61 8 9221 0922
Fax:      +61 8 9221 0933
Postal: PO Box 159 Northbridge WA 6865