India is not just a place, India is not just a peopleIndia is celestial mystic, And inside that mystic Is the true meaning of life! Legend has it that the Devas (Gods) enacted the battle with the Asuras (evil) as a performance for Brahma, the God of creation. So enchanted was Brahma that he commandeered Bharata Muni to compile it as the Natya Shastra, to be performed in eternity on the Indian Peninsula. Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by a spectacular coastline, surrounded by three seas, India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites and royal cities, golden beaches, misty mountain retreats, colorful people, rich cultures and festivities – enough and more for us to say ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan’... The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is an interesting synonym for the contrasts of India. At dawn the marble as a delicate bloom in shell pink, by noon she glitters majestically white, turning to a soft pearly grey at dusk and a ghostly white on a full-moon away against the star-spangled sky. Monsoon clouds give her a moody blue tint and she plays hide and seek in the drifting winter mists. The Taj can be solid and earthbound, fragile and ethereal, white, amber, grey and gold – as is our culture and heritage.
From the moment we set foot into India to be greeted by a graceful namaste, a gesture that denotes both welcome and respect, to when we bid adieu with a strange tug in the heart, the Incredible India journey is a myriad play of cultural experiences brought to our doorstep. But while we applaud each other on the back, I have to ask - Is this enough? What is the story for the future? India has received much attention as the economy has performed exceptionally well by most standards and shall continue to grow in the coming years. Market-oriented reform has brought visible success and economic transformation.
However, we only have to take a look at our nearest neighbor, China and the self-congratulations wan thin in the comparision. Like us, China is forever linked to its ancient civilization, friendly people and world revered tourist treasures. Though with a small head-start on us, China today is recognized as the worlds 2nd largest economy. Since the early 90’s, China has been in the middle of a building boom and infrastructure turn-around that has brought its tourist industry upto international standards overnight. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to China to see its great economic pulse, distinctive attractions and the omni-present blend of West and East. In the eyes of Westerners, China has a special Oriental Charm while in the eyes of the Chinese, China has a fresh western style. The old say that China is modern and fashionable, the young say that China is old and reminiscent. Today you can tour China with ease and safety, stay in comfortable 4 & 5-star hotels, try new Chinese delicacies, enjoy familiar Western cuisine, shop in modern designer boutiques, or explore centuries-old markets and shopping arcades. Hotels have gained international reputations for their exquisite decor, international gourmet dining, and first-class service. Tourist facilities and transportation are almost on par as of the United States. You can tour the countryside in modern motor coaches, relax in superfast first class train compartments, or speed to the next destination by jet while exploring one of the oldest cultures of the world, and seeing some of the most extraordinary sights anywhere. The tall skyscrapers, the ultra modern train systems, well-maintained roads, airports, heritage architecture all bespeak modernity. And yet the cultural values remain - widely evident in the cuisines, language, people and hospitality. The favorable national policy, the efficient administration, the regular market mechanism, and a large number of talents all come together to form a relaxed background murmur to a fast paced and busy life. There is a calm air of cleaniless and quiet efficiency on the busy streets. A concept of Queues or rush missing though the population must equal ours if not surpass. Wide open roads and infrastructure ensure smooth traffic running on the busiest highways, the earlier era of gloomy, dark dinginess as if completely erased forever. The only blemish to this picture perfect canvas is perhaps the almost total lack of English communication skills. Having yourself understood can be a tedious and daunting task at the best of times. India in contrast can mix beauty and horror in liberal portions.
Travel to India is like paradise for those who know her and a surprise for those who do not. She is a land of cultural diversity with stunning variations – a myriad play of cultures. And yet there exists a subtle binding force which flows from one end of the country to the other that underlines her enduring mysticism. After spending only a day here, it is easy to see why many people fall in love with India to return time and again, and why many others run away never to return again. To the casual observer, the engine behind the world’s largest growing economy might well be the noveaux-riche beggars, the bureaucratically correct (or incorrect) baksheesh system and the ubiquitous present dirt, grime and animals. Every day there is a new hurdle to tackle, from the indolent jobs-worths working for Indian Railways to the opportunistic and sly touts and rickshaw drivers to the mad horns blaring chaos of travel on our almost non-existent roadways. The disarray of our heritage sites, poor infrastructure, lack of quality of cultural programmes and poor knowledge of our culture are additional issues plaguing our country. The Indian bureaucracy is well-showcased in the Indian rail system, a facility that makes most Indians proud. The system not unsurprisingly is filled with rules, counter-rules, idiosyncrasies, jobs-worths and people who simply don't know what they are doing, as perhaps most things inherited from the British are. More than fifty years of independence has only improved the bureaucracy and further entrenched the red tape. The famous waiting list system only adds to the disarray and is enough to confuse most but the most tenacious. Is this the incredible experience we would like to impart to our visitors? Is our total concentration on how to make a fast buck or are we doing enough to ensure that the next generation is entrusted with our true heritage instead of a convenient fusion of short-cuts? Has tourism actually killed original art-forms? Are images of poorly maintained, crowded, dirt-strewn, animal inhabited heritage sites, the sights that we would like to send our visitors back home with.
There is an urgent need for the private and public sectors to join hands for the protection of our heritage and culture. Each and every one of us should be proud of this inheritance which has made India renowned across the centuries. Efforts should be made to ensure world class infrastructure available across the country. Authentic cultural experiences should be our endeavour while we try and sustain the cottage industries in their originality.
I always think that God was magnanimous when he created India. This is a land where everything is same and yet different - A mosaic of people and cultures with an identity unmatched in the world. This deep-souled land has a fragile yet colourful vibrancy and it is only we who can protect our heritage for the future generations. An Indian Experience should promise Joy, Serenity and a deeper understanding of the unknown, compelling one to return time and again.
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