[n_t]

Seriously, someone please stop this madman Modi! In 1989, Benares was vibrating with romantics (aka poor/cramped/unsanitary) where I could take pictures of poor but smiling people and write captions like "happiness is not about money". Modern India has ruined everything - no abject poverty, everyone has cellphones, no collapsing ruins of ancient uncared temples, etc. Modi, please stop!

[saiya-jin]

Yes, as much as i tremendously enjoyed Varanasi in 2008 (in fact the only place I ever visited in whole world that had some sort of indescribable 'magic' in the air, and this comes from very rational non-religious person) and have some of the strongest memories in my life (being 1 meter from burning deceased on Manikarnika ghat, not entirely my choice I still feel the heat), I am tremendously happy for all the people lifted out of poverty.

I don't think westerner without prior similar experience can comprehend how poor people like dalits can actually be, not only monetarily but also when treated by rest of the society. If it means I will never ever see streets lined with beggars with leprosy who are in pretty rough shape while having absolutely nothing, and not have conversations I had because they will be on their phones, so be it. Mankind needs this.