India with its capital at New Delhi is located in the south of the Asian continent. It is so big that is dubbed as the Indian subcontinent. In Fact, it’s the seventh largest country in the world. India has borders with 7 countries namely Pakistan, Burma, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal lies in the west and the east respectively. The population of India is 1.2 billion and rising, the second most populous country after China. There are 17 official languages of India and Hindi is the most prominent. English is used extensively. The main religion of India is Hinduism while Islam occupies a major space. Other religions include Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.
2. Some people think ethics only count when
someone else is watching or listening.
How is ethical behavior viewed in India in other words are ethics a big
part of decision-making?
Ethics is big in India mainly in personal and family affairs. Children are taught morality and some schools even have “Moral Science” as a subject. We are taught how to talk and respect elders, behave in public, help the needy and so on. In fact, the Indian way of life and behavior revolves around “karma” and attaining “mokhsa” or nirvana in other words free form the recycle of birth.
3. What is the biggest ethical challenge in
the Indian workplace?
India is one of the most corrupt counties
in the world. In fact, it’s so bad in some places; you have to bribe the
officer-in-charge in order to get some work done. I remember paying a bribe to
get my marriage certificate. The biggest challenge in the Indian workplace is
eliminating bribery, corruption and shear laziness.
4. Favoritism at work is one of my most
searched queries; does the Indian workplace deal with favoritism at work and
what issues are most prevalent in the Indian workplace?
Favoritism and nepotism is rife in Indian
workplace. We don’t deal with it, we live with it. It will take another 50
years to get rid of this practice. Bribery is one of the major issues we have
to deal with. Although more and more people are being punished for taking
bribes and things are getting more transparent but we are a long way away from
a bribe-free society. Employees arriving late especially in government
establishments is another issue but some administrators are cracking down on
this.
5. You wrote a post about bhang sales
(marijuana), is it an ethical issue for the Indian government to support bhang
sales?
I don’t think it’s an ethical issue but a
cultural one. Consumption of Bhang or marijuana is somewhat ingrained in Indian
society. The government of India facilitates the sale of bhang especially
during some festivals and some places so that tourists and occasional bhang
users do not fall in the trap of drug dealers.
Introduction to India: Culture and Traditions of India: India Guide Book
6. What are the main uses of bhang by the people of India?
It’s used in “bhang lassi” or bhang
milkshake during the Hindu festival of Holi. I am not aware if there are any
medical uses of bhang but I have read and heard that it’s used for depression
and cancer.
7. Bootlegged cd’s, movies, and video games
are illegal and viewed by most Americans as unethical. How does India deal with bootleggers and is
bootlegging a major problem?
Bootlegging is a big problem in India.
Bollywood is the biggest film industry in the world and large numbers of the
sales of CD’s and DVD’s are pirated. Unfortunately, it’s sold openly in many
places and it’s not considered as unethical by the sellers and most buyers are
perhaps not aware of it. There are periodic raids on illegal workshops and the
police are trying to crack the bootleggers.
8. Most Americans have heard about the
unethical treatment against women in India; I even wrote an article addressing
how women have resorted to using “women only trains”, in your opinion what
needs to be done for women rights in your country?
India is highly male dominated society. Women is often subjected to abuse, ill treatment and dowry system is rife. Unfortunately, female infanticide still prevails. Although laws protect women and majority of the time, law is on the side of women but more is still required. Women need to be given reservations in government jobs which will uplift the status of women and will make them financially independent. But to be honest, I think it’s getting better, we’re not the Middle East. Indian women are getting better at fighting for their rights.
9. You left a comment on my article “Should
your house stay inspection ready for a surprise visitor?”, You stated it is
very common for people to come by for a visits at any time. Is surprise visiting anyone at any time
acceptable by most Indians?
Visitors in particular relatives often turn
up without warning. You just have to play along and allow them to stay in your
house as long as they want (sometimes for months or years). Most Indians are
not surprised to see visitors at their doorsteps without being warned of their
arrival.
10. Thank you Shalu for your honest candor and being the first international blogger to be part of this series. I know from reading your blog (Travel guide to India) you are a proud Indian citizen. Is there anything you would want people to know about India?
India is one of the few countries that
launch satellites. It was India where zero, the number system, algebra, trigonometry,
decimal system, and calculus were invented. Chess and “snakes and ladders “were
invented. India has the most number of offices in the world.