Hi,
if I am looking for a flat in a german city for a time, I use this site.
http://www.studenten-wg.de/ (there are more). You find there offers of people who don't need theirs for a certain period of time and try to rent it. Its with furniture and everything. Its difficult though possible without knowing german, but I think impossible to try that from India. (select Wohnungs-Angebote in first box and Berlin in second box). At least you'll get an idea about prices at the market. Most prices there are per-month.
Berlin is very different from small city. There are plenty of indian restaurants of the 3 categories which exist here (a) more fast food oriented, b) quality and more expensive or c) vegetarian individualist style). Currently in my neighbourhood in Koeln there appears to open a new indian or thai restaurant each week. Most supermarkets are cheap. Best is Kaufland (huge offer, cheap & quality).
My sister lives there and I visit her sometimes.
Case you enjoy cultural/arts events, there is plenty going on there. Maybe you can get some schedule from tourist office. It can be really interesting.
Museumswise I find Pergamon-Museum (my forefathers have stolen whole historical ruins from Turkey) and Checkpoint Charly (about time of Berlin Wall) most atracting.
There is lots of nightlife (no closing time). In summer the lakes are not bad, but don't go Wannsee as its too crowded. You won't have the time, but there is a nice lake region 200 km to the north (Mecklenburger Seenplatte).
Berlin has an unemployment rate of 20%. For german standards they are quite poor on average. Otherwise I find them relaxed. For example, in summer its common to see some natives who installed their desk and some chairs on the sidewalk having breakfast on the street. On the other hand they can have their very specific way of being unfriendly. One time I wanted to buy some baps (small bread) in a backery, which is called Broettchen in german, but Schrippen in Berlin dialect and they understand both.
Me: 8 Broettchen, please.
Salesgirl: We don't have that.
Me (pointing at the Broettchen): I would enjoy to buy 8 of those.
Salesgirl (angry): And why don't you tell at first that you want 8 Schrippen.
Others reported similar encounters.
Its safe except some quaters in the outskirts. Better don't leave public transport there.
Have a nice stay
Axel
[ June 12, 2007: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]
[ June 12, 2007: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]
[ June 12, 2007: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]