Mata Sita Flowers

The ends of the blue Indian winter, no spring. It's cold angry few months, then the pores of the earth will settle down and letting go on a continuum than just blink of an eye tooth. The Gangetic plains are from winter to summer like a shot. Yesterday, the coats. Today the plant lush and suffer the nuisance morning sun, the heat wave that touches the fifty degrees and destroys any attempt at life as God intended.

With these few nice days last March, I present Sita Mata, a small playground in my neighborhood that have few neighbors a few years lovingly caring for (the government has enough with what you have). Sita Mata is a rectangle enclosed by cars, pedestrians refuge from noise, with a pavement once normal and especially flowers. I am no expert on flowers, maybe ud. itself. So now wears the (short) spring from India:

(Click on the images for a larger picture)

The promise of the Indian market is still waiting for the unknown Spain

New Delhi, December 5, 2008. - The mutual ignorance, lack of brand image and the absence of direct air connection are some of the challenges that Spain must overcome to penetrate deep into the Indian market, where it occupies a modest position 42 between exporters.
"We need a much larger relationship, something that is in process. We already see signs that will grow and you have to give a big boost, "he told Efe the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Amit Mitra.
With that goal will take place in India's capital next week on "India-Spain Forum of investments and trade cooperation", organized by the FICCI and the Spanish Commercial Office, which will be attended by the Minister of Industry, Miguel Sebastián.
The event, the fourth of its kind organized in India, will go 46 Spanish companies will have the opportunity to explore "new opportunities for investment and business collaboration," the statement said.
The challenge is to strengthen the image and the presence of Spanish companies in a market where exports account for only 0.39 percent of the total in India, with a value of 742 million euros in 2007.
"We need to enhance our brand image Spain, still largely unknown in India. We must also intensify business contacts, which companies are encouraged to have a constant presence in India, "the minister explained to Efe trade of Spain in New Delhi, Teresa Solbes.
Spain aims to achieve a bilateral trade with India worth 7,000 million euros in 2012 from 2.929 million in 2007, according to the annual report of the Spanish Commercial Office in New Delhi.
Trade relations between the two countries grew by 337 percent in the last decade-a 22.74 in the last year-but the Office continues to consider the total amount as "small".
"The value is still low, but we must look at the trend, which is very positive. Spain has traditionally been focused in Latin America and has now begun to look to Asia. Our companies must compete in a globalized world, "Solbes said.
Spain draws an unfavorable trade balance with India, with imports last year to 2,187 million euros, mainly in textiles, leather, footwear, chemicals, fish and steel.
And in chapter exporter, Spain has based its trade with India in industrial goods and machinery, which account for 88.4 percent of the total, due in part to technical difficulties and high tariffs in other sectors suffer.
"Our trade deficit is a structural problem. I think one solution is to develop services. Our technology is sophisticated and goes well with Indian needs, so what we sell conforms to the country, "Solbes maintained.
The evolution of trade relations will be marked by the appointment of the Asian country as "priority" to open a trade office in Bombay and the signing of a Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.
But to achieve the objectives, Spanish companies should show more interest in India: "They should be encouraged to come to a much greater," claimed Mitra, who mentioned the lack of direct air link as a "constraint".
The Commercial Office in New Delhi is aware of 114 Spanish companies operating in India, compared to 34 of 2004, an increase of over 300 percent in less than five years, but that some very low levels.
"This is a complex market that has its own characteristics, so it requires perseverance, Solbes said. It is not as intuitive a market, such as German. The Indian market has conditions that call for adaptation. "
At least in the first eight months of 2008 the trend has been positive, with exports to India grew by 11.88 percent over the same period in 2007, with a value of 535.7 million euros.
Remains to be seen what impact on expectations the economic crisis, which also felt its effects on India.

Chief Arrested kidney trafficking ring that cheated the poor to operarles

New Delhi, Feb 8 (EFE). - Lured by false promises of work or gunpoint, hundreds of poor Indians fell into an international network of trafficking in kidneys whose leader, known in India as "Dr. Horror" has been arrested in Nepal.
The arrest of the doctor, Amit Kumar, took place on Thursday night in a hotel in the Nepalese border with India, where he was transferred to Kathmandu and shown today to the media.
"I am innocent. I have not committed any crime, "said a nervous Kumar Nepal between the police and before dozens of photographers and journalists arrived from India.
However, police said Kumar had admitted shortly before his participation in 300 kidney transplant in India during the last 13 or 14 years in a clinic of their own.
In recent weeks, Indian society has seen the progressive revelations shocked that the police made ​​on organ trafficking network, which performed about 600 transplants to customers from Europe, America and Asia.
The network was dismantled with the arrest of five people last January 24 in the city of Gurgaon, outside New Delhi, though Kumar, 43, was missing since then and Interpol had to enter the fray .
According to the release of the victims, the doctor and his cronies commonly removed healthy kidneys and poor villagers those captured with false promises of work or money, or even threatening them at gunpoint.
"I was brought after receiving a job offer," said one of the victims on the day of the first police operation in Gurgaon. "Then I was taken to hospital to undergo a medical examination. But at night someone came and told me they were going to remove my kidney in exchange for $ 1,200, and they would kill me if I refused. "
The network used to pay 1,200 to $ 2,500 to his victims, but then charged between 25,000 and 50,000 U.S. dollars to Indian customers, Lebanon, Dubai, USA, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Greece, according to Indian police.
"His network was well expanded by some foreign countries. So far, names have come from Turkey, Greece and Ireland. We are trying to identify "the agency said another police source IANS India.
Kumar had eight properties, one in Canada, eight luxury vehicles and twenty-five bank accounts, which had deposited about 1,000 million rupees (about $ 25 million), according to authorities.
At the time of his arrest, Kumar, who for weeks has been the most sought after, he brought more than 145,000 euros and $ 18,900 undeclared, which in Nepal is a crime that could cost up to four years in prison.
Although Gurgaon Police accused their counterparts in New Delhi have stopped Kumar escape payment of a bribe, now the Indian authorities are prepared to ensure the earliest possible return to the country doctor, who has generated a huge wave of outrage .
"I expect him to be extradited soon," said Vice Minister of Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal, quoted by IANS.
The head of research in Nepal, Upendra Kanta Aryal, told Efe however, that the defendant is innocent because the law says Haryana (India Administrative Region where he managed the clinic) is "dark" about the kidney transplant.
In the darkness of an apartment managed by the network, today Police located four other victims were in critical condition after an operation suffered on January 22.
"The victims told us they were attracted by a Nepali on the pretext of giving them a job, but the kidneys were excised at Amit's clinic," said Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner of Police, Satish Balyan.
The sale of organs is banned in India but in several areas of the country as Tamil Nadu (south), it is not unusual for the poor to access sell one of their kidneys to foreign customers to succeed.

Indian monkeys point to life in the big city

New Delhi, June 30, 2007. - The "beautiful" Indian middle class between worried and powerless attend to the birth of a new urban tribe that sneaks into offices and markets cryptic and does not hesitate to steal as it gets to them: the monkeys have been organized in the city.
The monkey menace has even reached India's upper house, where a senator denounced the existence of "battalions of monkeys" and even asserts that a group of these invaded your kitchen, amid the laughter of the representatives.
But the problem does not invite the laughter, according to experts, attracted by better living conditions and food, at least 50,000 monkeys might have migrated to cities of a country in full development, which is between 60 and 70 percent simian population of India.
"Many Monkeys prefer urban areas because they get easy and nutritious food," said Prabal Sarkar, an expert in macaques. "They are organized in large groups for safety reasons, and if half a provocation brutally attack people. Women and children are more susceptible because they show fear, "he added.
The urban tribe hairy plot to damage trees, uprooting plants, destroy electrical cables and stealing food to children, and to passers represent a threat whose bite means jumping 14 shots of healing.
Sometimes, the intrepid monkeys sneak into residential enclaves, offices and markets, where they attack people to get their food, but sometimes have even take the law into their own hands by invading and destroying court files.
"One day, when I got home, I found a group of monkeys organizing a feast. Jars had taken food from the kitchen and sat at the table enjoying the menu. What a party, "he told Efe that a housewife had to expel a broom.
Well fed and sheltered by the buildings, the monkeys have managed to adapt to the environment and reproduce very rapidly, which has led to rampant overpopulation problem that has led experts to ask for control measures.
But it is not easy, because first you have to hunt them: "Unlike other animals that are easily soothed, monkeys sit on the roofs or trees, and any attempt to drogarles is dangerous," says Sarkar.
The problem of the monkeys was unleashed two years ago the Ministry of Environment of New Delhi to order the transfer of macaques to the forests of neighboring regions.
Following this directive, the Department of Animal Life in Delhi last year captured some 250 individuals in the capital, and released them in the Palpur Kuno forest region of Madhya (middle). But after its "liberation" monkeys, urban and uprooted, began to vandalize the nearby villages.
Local officials reacted to this new urban threat to refuse to accept new batches of macaques, so these campaigns are still at home in New Delhi.
Monkeys take refuge in the capital's green areas of the city, waiting for the food-safe bananas, coconuts and mangoes, which will provide many devout Hindus, for whom the monkeys are living heirs of the god Hanuman.
In fact, the "battalion" of monkeys delhíes now has its best umbrella in a Hanuman statue 30 meters recently opened in the west of the city, a delight for children traveling on the subway without burying that runs right in front of the mouth of God.
That condition "divine" has spawned a small industry with places frequented by apes, where several merchants have installed positions of bananas, while other dealers, more savvy, amaestran the apes to dance and get tips or beg, before to take home by bicycle.
Despite the clear exploitation, the dancing monkeys do not averse to work: outside concerns for and happy with their misdeeds and gestures almost human, monkeys Indians have adapted to the daily life of the cities even in what regards overcrowding and noise.
Finally, after all, live in the city has its drawbacks

How to beat the heat when the thermometer touches the 50

New Delhi, June 14, 2007. - Put half a watermelon on his head, remove the umbrella of the street or throw cold water on the hair turban to acclimatize are some of the emergency measures which have used the Indians to fight these days from the elements in midsummer.
With temperatures during the week have even surpassed 50 degrees Celsius in the hottest spots in the country, the Indians have had to perform an exercise in stoicism to withstand the wrath of the sun and the frequent power outages that paralyzed the fans.
"We had the best sales of the story, but not only by the heat wave, but because more people have more money," said Efe Karamjeet Singh, a seller of air conditioners in the capital.
The energy crisis India is not an obstacle to more affluent families resort to massive use of devices to beat the heat, until a power outage and then everyone, rich and poor, are equally exposed to the summer .
In New Delhi, where apartments are more expensive plants and low-darker-protected, most citizens have to resort to the classic advice to drink plenty of water, eating cold food, stay home and avoid the sun and great efforts.
But among those who still have to work or live outdoors, the heat wave has brought priceless images, like a pair of half a watermelon vendors using a hat, a civilian taking a dip with his elephant or women who take the umbrella the street against the light rain.
The umbrella is a good ally of housewives: protects the head from the sun, but also serves to help the skin to darken, in a country where pale shades are so valued that many mention its light color in ads marriage as an inducement for a future partner.
"I have no heat. Echo cold water inside the turban before going out so refreshed me, "said Efe a long-haired student of Sikh religion, whose devotees can not get a haircut in his life.
In fact, the activity of the streets of New Delhi shows very clearly that the Indian citizen lives so naturally with the heat that many do not even wear jeans tight waive or corduroys, albeit with a good dose of deodorant against sweat.
"Sometimes it seems that people do not sweat, but that's because many are outdoors all day, are accustomed to," said Efe an office in the capital.
Despite the impression that everything is ticking, the latest flick of a heat wave, with highs of 45 degrees Celsius in Delhi and over 50 in Rajasthan, has left hundreds of people admitted for dizziness and viruses and more than two hundred dead, including seven prisoners from a prison in the capital who died of dehydration.
With a semi-arid climate in the air of New Delhi, known as "loo", float huge amounts of dust particles that prevent significant temperature drops at night: why dogs, seeking to avoid the hot asphalt, lie on the body of a car.
As hundreds of children challenged with dips Yamuna river pollution and the poor eat almost exclusively a cheap bread to stay fresh onion, and commend the delhíes is the arrival of the monsoon expected in the capital for the next day 29.
During the rainy season, which comes first for the south and then gradually moves north India is full of moisture-and flood-and umbrellas continue in the streets with the same heat, but not wet.

Football reigns in Calcutta bites of lobster and shad

New Delhi, February 26, 2007. - The city of Calcutta has one of the oldest rivalries in Asia and rough, pitting supporters of Mohun Bagan football club, known as "lobster", with East Bengal (" shad "), with a smaller budget but passion so intense as in Europe and Americ a.
While in India cricket is the most popular sport and hockey is considered the national sport, football holds his scepter in the coastal areas of Kerala and Goa (west) and the region of Bengal (East), whose capital, Calcutta, are remeasured morning the two clubs.
"Cricket is the sport in India. But football is enthusiastic young people, especially those from the lower classes, that after every match is thrown into the streets to celebrate the triumphs of his team, "said Efe Gayatri Bhattacharyya sociology professor at the University of Calcutta.
In New Delhi, the organization Youth Football Association of India (IYSA, acronym in English), carries out projects to promote the sport among the smallest of the nation's capital, with attention also to those with fewer resources, through a street league.
"In our Little League play some 550 children over a period of seven months. And among them, there are about 60 to those who provide transport and equipment. We play every Sunday, "he told Efe IYSA secretary, Arup Das.
However, there is a world between the laudable efforts of NGOs such as the IYSA to promote the sport and passion of football unleashes masses in Calcutta around rojigualda colors of East Bengal, and green and purple of Mohun Bagan, which will meet again on Tuesday.
With deep marks of British colonization, India Calcutta is the city that feels more football, and many still listed as a national landmark building Mohun Bagan's victory against Yorkshire Regiment, a 2-1 in 1911 that considered the end of the primacy of English in the country (football, that is).
In the city, the fervent supporters of Mohun, founded in 1889, is proud that in Bengal had a Football League before there Barcelona or Real Madrid, but have little to celebrate if we analyze the clashes with the opposing team, the East Bengal Club.
The latter squad, knowing that statistics are favorable, includes on its website a comparison with the victories and defeats in clashes with rivals Mohun Bagan, which obviously kept quiet about it.
However, the Mohun Bagan, considered the oldest club in Asia, it boasts a track record longer than the East Bengal and counting in its ranks with "Ronaldinho" Indian, Baichung Bhutia, who leads the classification of the scorers against the eternal rival.
Each time there is a derby as the morning, some 120,000 spectators crammed calcutí of Saltlake Stadium in hopes that his team scores more goals than the opponent, to fill after massive street celebrations and celebrate a great feast of fish and seafood at home.
"Both teams have their own idiosyncrasies and gastronomy. The Mohun Bagan is identified with the lobster, and East Bengal with hilsa shad, a tropical fish. When Mohun wins, the fans go to the fishmonger to buy lobster. And if you win East Bengal, shad runs, "says Bhattacharyyia.
In the city, the more cautious and have bought their ration days before the match, because in Calcutta everyone knows, when Mohun Bagan faces the East Bengal, fish prices rise.

A complex of dams will leave home to 200,000 people in India

New Delhi, Jan 2, 2007. - Some 200,000 people will see their land and homes flooded by water after the opening of a major Indian dams on the Narmada River in western, as reported today hundreds of activists gathered outside the Ministry of Justice Social, New Delhi.
Opened this past weekend, the dam "Sardar Sarovar", with 121.92 meters high and a length of 1,250 meters, will provide water to 36 million people and will have a generating capacity of 1,450 megawatts of electricity, after a complete construction marathon that began in 1987.
And yet, the project, one of the most expensive in the country, has fueled a powerful controversy because it will mean the displacement of 200,000 people from 244 villages, and will flood an area of 380 square kilometers (larger than the island of Malta) with great heritage and environmental impact.
Since its inception, the protests have been directed by the group Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement), which said today at the Ministry of Social Justice for the 40,000 affected families receiving aid.
"This project is a criminal who violates any laws. The area has 200,000 people who lost agricultural land and lack of aid to go there. The Government should know that we will not stop until people Narmada receive their compensation, "he told Reuters the movement's leader, Medha Patkar.
Sardar Sarovar is the largest dam project, a macro-complex of 30 wetlands in the river Narmada will affect four regions of western India, after a long trial in which the courts changed five times the allowable height construction.
Although the governor of the western region of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the dam this weekend, Patkar said that some of the channels of the project is still incomplete, and that the authorities have not yet provided aid or measures for new settlements population.
"With the arrival of the monsoon, the water overflow the livelihood and housing more than 40,000 families," Patkar alleged, among chants of the demonstrators.
The first stone was placed symbolically by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1961, but the work of the dam began much later, in 1987, opposed by several activist groups and personalities like writer Arundhati Roy.
The World Bank also distanced himself from the project in the 1990's claiming that the criticism was well founded, after giving initial support to the dam of $ 440 million (340 million euros).
However, the Government of Gujarat region does not share the criticisms of the complex, and according to his spokesman told Reuters, Bagesh Jha, the dam will have a "significant positive impact on irrigation, electricity and water supply" besides symbolizing "the economic boom that lives in India."
"It's not fair that no complaints. The dam has created many jobs, and we are taking care of the affected and we have given enough support, "he said.
Sardar Sarovar, which has provided work for hundreds of thousands of people annually, prevent flooding and contain the advance of desert sands, with irrigation that will reach 18,000 square kilometers and will supply water to 8,215 people, according to official data.
Among families affected, insufficient funds and problems with the law, the construction has followed a tortuous process since Nehru 46 years ago put the first stone, until the last day of a machine activated by the Governor of Gujarat deposited the last bucket of cement in the structure.
"India has taken a big leap forward. The dam will change the future of the country, "Modi said pressing the button.

Controversy over police work in the case of the 17 children raped and murdered

New Delhi, December 31, 2006. - The two accused for the rape and murder of at least 17 ​​children from the city of Noida, near New Delhi, still in custody of the authorities, while increasing debate about the possible police negligence the investigation.
Although at first the weight of the accusation fell on an employee's home of 30 years, Satinder, who confessed to the killings, late yesterday the police reported that the main brain of the crimes were allegedly the employer of Satinder, businessman Mohinder Singh Pandher.
Police have also ruled out the relationship of the case with organ trafficking, a hypothesis driven at first, and is now focused on the sexual motive, which led the defendants allegedly raping and murdering children.
"Mohinder was separated, and used to call girls for companionship. When not getting any, asked Satinder that would attract a child and invite him to the house where the owner was abusing them, "said PTI quoted by the Superintendent of Police RK Rathore.
The employee, described by police as "mentally ill", raping the children after their leader, after having attracted, he confessed, "with chocolate s", and later strangled, dismembered and threw the remains in bags to drain the rear of the house.
Between blows and shouts of a mob threatened to lynch them, both went to court yesterday charged with murder, conspiracy and concealment of evidence, which in India can carry the death penalty.
Meanwhile, dozens of parents continue today for a third day outside the house where they found the remains, located in an area full of humble workers, hoping that the work of exhuming the police provide more clues about the fate of their missing children, about 38 young in the last two years.
After discovering a new bag yesterday remains in a drain, it is possible that increasing the number of victims, the newspaper "The Times of India" now quantified at 22, ensuring that might rise even to 30.
As they advanced yesterday digging, growing anger among the several hundred people gathered around the house in the popular neighborhood of Nithari, to the point that the police had to charge the crowd, which tried to destroy the house where the accused.
However, the tension around the house gave way to despair when Satinder, held during police questioning to parents of children identified by ten photographs of children.
Some of those affected had not dared to denounce the disappearances because most Nithari residents are immigrants who were afraid of the police, but the population is shown in all cases very critical of the actions of the security forces.
"I work in a factory and do not earn enough money to bribe the police. He just wants our money, "he told PTI Pappu Lal, father of an eight year old boy disappeared in April.
Pappu had denounced the accused on several occasions, but police refused to act until the worker found in the company of other parents, children's clothing remains after the house of Mohinder.
Pese a que los lugareños habían denunciado con anterioridad que las desapariciones ocurrían en un radio de 100 metros, la condición humilde de los afectados es para muchos la razón de la lentitud policial en investigar los casos, Aunque las fuerzas de seguridad se apresuraron a negar las críticas, más tarde fueron suspendidos de empleo seis policías del área de Nithani , mientras el Partido del Congreso reclamó hoy ayudas de 17.000 euros y empleos públicos para las familias afectadas, informó la cadena de televisión NDTV.
El caso del “ Carnicero de Noida ” tiene estos días una amplia cobertura en los medios del país, que hoy recogieron el caso de varios niños que deben estar vivos a no haber aceptado la chocolatina que les ofrecía un desconocido.

Shock in India by the discovery of fifteen children raped and murdered

Nueva Delhi, 30 dic 2006.- La India amaneció hoy conmocionada tras nuevos hallazgos de restos óseos en la casa de Noida , ciudad cercana a Nueva Delhi, donde ayer aparecieron los cadáveres de 15 niños que fueron violados y asesinados, sin que la detención de dos personas haya servido para aplacar la ira popular.
Decenas de padres y madres se desplazaron a la casa, situada en un área popular repleta de humildes trabajadores, esgrimiendo fotografías de sus hijos desaparecidos y observando la labor de la Policía, que descubrió hoy una nueva bolsa con huesos en un desagüe, informó la cadena de televisión NTDV.
En las cercanías de la vivienda hay todavía arremolinadas cientos de personas, algunas de las cuales han lanzado piedras a la casa y han tratado de entrar en ella, mientras la Policía continúa con las tareas de exhumación de los cuerpos y no descarta que aumente el número de asesinados.
Las fuerzas de seguridad detuvieron ayer a un empleado del hogar de 30 años, Satinder, que ha confesado el asesinato y la violación de doce niños.
Además, también fue detenido el empresario Mohinder Singh , que asumió hoy que los crímenes fueron cometidos por el empleado con “su conocimiento y consentimiento”, según la policía.
Ambos han pasado a disposición judicial, acusados formalmente de asesinato, ocultación de pruebas y conspiración, lo que en la India puede acarrear la pena de muerte.
Las detenciones no han servido para aplacar la ira de los habitantes de Noida , que habían registrado 38 desapariciones de niños en los dos últimos años, si bien la mitad de los casos no fueron denunciados porque muchos afectados eran inmigrantes que residían ilegalmente en el municipio y tenían miedo de la Policía.
Sin embargo, algunos familiares de los niños habían llegado sin éxito a formular denuncias contra Satinder, padre de una niña de tres años y descrito por la Policía como “mentalmente enfermo”, que confesó ayer haber violado y asesinado seis menores de 12 años “tras atraerlos con chocolatinas”.
“Las fuerzas de seguridad no nos hicieron caso”, dijo el tío paterno de un niño desaparecido en febrero al rotativo “ Hindustan Times “, mientras otro lugareño aseguró haber avisado a la policía de que “los niños desaparecían siempre en un radio de 100 metros”.
En el barrio que registró los crímenes, Nithari, es frecuente la presencia de niños en las calles, porque la mayoría de la población es inmigrante y se dedica a tareas humildes, lo que ha llevado a muchos habitantes de la población a sugerir que la Policía no se ocupaba del caso por la baja condición social de los afectados.
La Policía se ha apresurado a negar las acusaciones de inacción, alegando que en los últimos meses había varios equipos de investigación en ciudades como Calcuta, Bombay y Madrás , siguiendo la pista de los niños desaparecidos. informó la cadena de televisión IBN-CNN.
Junto a los dos detenidos, la Policía ha interrogado además al vecino de la casa contigua, implicado hace unos meses en un caso de tráfico de órganos, ya que se sospecha que tiene relación con el suceso , hasta el punto de que los agentes iniciaron también excavaciones su casa.
Los restos de los niños fueron encontrados en sacos enterrados en una zona de desagüe del patio de la casa del empresario detenido, durante la investigación por la desaparición de una niña llamada Payal.
La Policía detuvo a Satinder porque utilizó el teléfono móvil de la pequeña después de asesinarla, lo que permitió a los agentes dar con él rastreando las llamadas.
Sin embargo, los habitantes del pueblo ya lo sospechaban desde hace tiempo.
“Creíamos que Satinder podía estar implicado porque los niños siempre desaparecían cuando venía al pueblo”, declaró Jhabulal al periódico “ Hindustan Times “, antes de asegurar que los niños muertos “ascienden por lo menos a 50″, aunque la policía ha encontrado sólo 15 calaveras.
Mientras la India continúa sumida en el estupor, los principales diarios llevaron el crimen a sus portadas, donde ya han otorgado al presunto asesino el abominable título de “ Carnicero de Noida “.

The new India facing their particular housing bubble

Nueva Delhi, 22 oct 2006.- El enorme crecimiento del PIB indio ha venido acompañado de incrementos del 100 por ciento anual en el precio de la vivienda de algunas áreas de la capital, Nueva Delhi, donde se levantan campos de golf junto a las chabolas.
Basta hojear apenas los suplementos de vivienda de los principales diarios para darse cuenta de que la India vive una particular fiebre inmobiliaria que, en el caso de la capital, ha hecho de los apartamentos un bien inalcanzable para la mayoría en un país cuyo PIB, más que crecer, galopa a un 10 por ciento anual.
Un ejemplo de la escalada de los precios es la céntrica arteria urbana de Panchseel Road, en la que los alquileres eran en el primer semestre de este año un 110 por ciento más caros que en 2005.
Estos días, el rotativo local “The Times of India” afirmaba con ironía que para poseer una casa en las calles del centro, valoradas en algunos casos en 23 millones de euros, hace falta ser ministro, cuestión que no quiso comentar a Efe la responsable de Desarrollo de Delhi , DD Neemodhar.
Y, en efecto, uno de los barrios más selectos para vivir, Aurangzeb Road, está repleto de grandes dignatarios que pagan una renta de alquiler de unos 8.000 euros al mes en un país donde tomar un té cuesta diez céntimos.
Según declaró a Efe el promotor Yograj Agrawal, la presión urbanística de la capital proviene de su “escasez de suelo”, que ha provocado que muchos inversores hayan dirigido sus intereses hacia los “mercados emergentes de las ciudades adyacentes a Nueva Delhi”.
Lo mismo ratifica el consultor M. Arvind, quien dijo a Efe que la alta densidad demográfica en Delhi ha hecho que muchas zonas residenciales se transformen en comerciales, con lo que no hay suelo para vivir.
“Cada tres meses los precios aumentan sensiblemente y la demanda continuará creciendo, sobre todo porque la mitad de los clientes de la alta propiedad sólo quieren las viviendas como inversión de futuro”, aseguró Arvind.
De acuerdo con el consultor, que rechazó llamarlo especulación , se trata de una inversión muy acertada mientras la economía siga creciendo tan aprisa, sobre todo porque, dijo, “invertir en vivienda es ahora un 60 por ciento más rentable que cualquier otra cosa”.
Así que, como ya sucede en las grandes ciudades europeas, muchos naturales de Delhi se han visto empujados a vivir en poblaciones cercanas y acudir cada día a trabajar a la capital.
Pero esas nuevas ciudades, lejos de ser meros dormitorios, son la mejor muestra de la pujanza india: en Gurgaon , por ejemplo, sólo durante el último año han sido alquilados 450.000 metros cuadrados de suelo para usos empresariales, a precios un 44 por ciento más caros que el año anterior.
Allí es fácil ver hileras de empresas y centros comerciales como un síntoma de lo que en la India se conoce como “ la segunda revolución “, una apertura al capitalismo que, desde 1993, ha generado unos “ghettos inversos” de barrios residenciales aislados de la pobreza.
En la ciudad, próxima a Nueva Delhi, se levantarán 20 hoteles de lujo con 10.000 habitaciones antes del año 2010, coincidiendo con la celebración en la India de los Juegos de la Commonwealth .
Muchas parejas jóvenes miran hacia ese momento como el año fetiche que, según Agarwal y Arvind, marcará el fin del “boom” de la vivienda.
Pero hasta que llegue esa fecha, muchos temen que los precios de las nuevas casas de Gurgaon , con este fervor urbanístico que se refleja en sus lujosos centros comerciales, sus campos de golf y una incipiente clase media, continúen creciendo al ritmo del 180 por ciento de este año.
Y luego, como destacó Arvind, “cuando Gurgaon tenga precios inalcanzables, seguirá habiendo mucho terreno en el resto de la India para hacer casas”.

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