Code of conduct for tourists?
“Atithi Devo Bhava!” as a tag line has well served the mission to improve the treatment of tourists In India! Such ad-campaigns have sought to drive home the point that our country very religiously follows the dictum that for us Indians the guest is equivalent to God. However, one should be pardoned for nurturing a feeling that we have at times been too effusive about extending our warmth and kindness to our foreign guests, to an extent where quite many have dared mistake our accommodating demeanor for the servile mentality that has been typical of a ‘colonial past’. The brash manners exhibited by some foreigners have made us feel like strangers in our own land. Flouting the laws of the land, many have made mockery of our esteemed hospitality. Unfortunately our response to exhibitions of such ‘hostilities’ hasn’t been anything to write home about either. However this awkward silence of ours has only sent across wrong signals inviting similar contemptuous treatments from foreign guests. It is time we had a code of conduct for our ‘esteemed guests’. Moreover, it is only in India where foreigners seem to get away with such imperious attitudes. In the name of hospitality, should we be putting up with such nonsense?
Pachu Menon, Margao
Blinded by CSR
These real estate groups connive with the corrupt Goa government, its various bodies, corrupt MLA/panchayat members and increase land/air/water pollution levels, increase pressure on our land/infrastructure, dilute our demographics and lower the quality of life of the local populace. Many Goan villages already had a good living standard before real estate companies started making a mess of Goa, to bring in more people than required to state's detriment and to house the mega rich. So inflict maximum permanent damage and they do some small insignificant band aid with CSR as a lame policy. We see beautiful places in India being messed up by indiscriminate real estate fueled by loads of black money, now Goa is in the process of being done to the same by these destructive real estate companies.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Responsible citizens
Way back in 1999, I traveled to Finland through the sponsorship by a family there. Summers are amazing with long days, lovely mountains and thousands of lakes, people have their own boats used for fishing. I also had an opportunity to travel to other places in Europe where I met and converse with many people. They were broad minded, civilized and ahead of India by at least 100 years. Racism did exist but I noticed that racists were mainly people who were unemployed and were supported by government by means of doles etc. The police were helpful, well-mannered and disciplined. The most important thing in Europe is literacy is very high and people are dedicated to contribute whatever they can for their country.
Every profession in Europe is taken seriously. No one shies away from doing their job. Wages are according to the labour law and paid according to the hours worked. People pay proper taxes and all this leads to the growth of their economy and development. In India with our narrow mentality we only bothered about our religion, caste etc.
Satyajit Prabhudessai, Benaulim
