I am finally online from Madras (Chennai) India. Have so far had a naked eye look at Orion and Polaris. Trying to find a local supplier to rent a telescope from over here, as I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to observe here. Might try and see if i can hook into the local astronomy clubs.
The great thing about India is that most homes have a flat roof area where you can go up and observer the sky above the street lights. Still the excessive light pollution is noticeable even with this advantage. However naked eye observation shows much promise of good seeing at the and around the zenith even in these conditions.
Its good to be under the skies that once inspired me as a child, while sleeping in the cool air on my grandfathers roof. I hope this time to have an opportunity to observe with a telescope. I wish there was as good a Astronomy Calendar guide for the northern hemisphere as the one we get for the southern skies.
There are other things to see too. Where I am there is an bit of open land reserved for future construction, its has many Mongoose's in it. Two were put there to keep away snakes and have reproduced. I have counted 7 maybe 10 so far.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose
One can never stand still in India, one is in constant motion of activities surrounded by family. One can make things happen here more quickly, one call and you can get almost anything done. I have been talking to some relatives about getting custom machined parts here and he said the industry for this here is huge and cheap. The technical expertise is superior but the technology is still getting there. You can step outside every house here and find a auto repair shop within minutes, equipped with equipment for machining. They are happy to make anything you need.
China and India seem to be set to make every bit of technology affordable to the common man. The local Chief Minister (premiere) of the state I am in has announced he will give a free TV to every home. I sit here amazed that I regard this country as the third world, on the surface perhaps but beneath the surface this nation moves at a pace that is fast surppasing first world nations. Almost everyone here has a mobile phone.
Off to sleep now.
Regards
It is an amazing place. I only spent one afternoon in Bombay many years ago, but I packed a lot in - ie buying silk at the market, botanical gardens, exchanging money illegally which involved a nightmare ride in an old taxi with a one legged beggar, and a personal "snake show" featuring a rather half dead looking cobra. 
Yes, a really vibrant place. 
