[jyoti]

Here are some ideas for gifts for people you meet along the way (suggestions I've gotten from others):

Candy:  
Chocolate melts, but kids enjoy fun candy from the US. & lots are so high maintenance e.g:
    Pixi Sticks (sugar in a paper tube)
    Pop Rocks
    Jolly Ranchers
    Jelly Beans
    (Halloween candy in individual bags would have been a great idea... two months ago   )

Kool Aid packets (especially fun ones like blue and invisible koolaid.)
Little packages of cookies (they now have pkgs of 2 oreos for about USD$.15 at WalM.)
Stickers
Hair ties (like at a dollar store, etc--the frilly girly ones)
Hot wheel cars (or generic like at a dollar store)
Packets of taco seasoning, fajita mix, etc.
Good coffee, ground (I've been told even in cities its hard to find coffee w/o chicory)


I still don't have a lot of ideas for adults/Indian families.  But, I thought I'd post what I do have and try to recontribute for all of the awesome help I've gotten (and will get in the next couple of weeks as I leave!).  

--Jyoti

[cyberhippie]

I always thought calendars from your home country would make great gifts for adults something like the Scottish Pictorial Calendar!!
Airports sell lots of gadgets as well that serve as presents! fancy lighters keyrings etc.

[ploma]

one year ago I manage to send to couple of friends from delhi who were getting married a pair of good cava (catalan champagne) bottles with a pair of fine cristal glasses, they told me that they liked a lot!
Another thing I use to bring to India as a present for old friends, or just in case I meet somebody who I'll really like to give a present, is clothes portaying some names of my country or touristic places from it, mostly shirts and hats…

uribaba

[bamboozle]

I brought little jars of jam selection one time... our friend accepted the gift and later asked someone else what they were!  we guess he was a bit shy and did'nt want to ask us... and was delighted when he found out it was english jam... they were all different flavours like cherry, blueberry and came in tiny pots...

the kids last year (and adults) loved peppermint candy canes at christmas... I am sure they would be loved all year round.

little bottles of perfume for the ladies (cologne for the men I suppose)... the sample bottles (or small bottles like you get in a gift set) are great as they can last a good time and if they don't like the smell then its not a huge waste of money like buying an expensive big bottle of perfume, plus its just fun having little bottles to put in your hand bag or to have a nice variety of smells...
the duty free shop usually have those 'gift' packs with a selction... with a selection of small bottles its nice to give to the women in the family that may have many sisters, mother, auntie etc. they can all share the different scents...
and hand or body cream... brands that are different than what they can get at home...

we brought pocket utility knives last year for the men... it came with all little tools, including a screwdriver, mini torch, bottle opener etc... I am sure you can get them in India but they were thrilled with the ones we bought at the camping store here in the uk...