Remember India’s first high-speed semi-luxury train from Mumbai to Goa, Tejas Express?
Vandalised on its maiden journey much like several other incidents that reek destruction and gross indifference to public property and citizens at large.
Ironically, Indian travellers seem to get famous for all the wrong reasons! While this may be restricted to only some unruly types, it is a concern that is seriously damaging India’s image globally.
The recent reported incident involving a group of people from a tobacco company who allegedly caused major inconvenience to fellow passengers on a luxury liner is yet another blot on our character.
A trip that could have been a dream voyage for many allegedly turned into a dreadful nightmare on this cruise…
According to reports, the group that constituted 1/3rd of the ship’s capacity and allegedly ‘took over the ship’s pool decks, outdoor cinema screens, buffet and bars – blocking shocked passengers from many parts of the 140,000-tonne vessel. Reports suggest that several families had to seek solace in their rooms after this group boarded dancers and scantily clad women…’
“With such incidents bringing us disrespect, do we deserve any special services?” quips Paresh Jain, a businessman and a regular traveller.
“I have seen unruly people in a foreign land and more so, when they are in a group.
“They tend to litter all over, ignoring the dustbins, misbehave with people around and use abusive language once they are inebriated. If the same thing happens in our country, the foreigner would have been thrashed to death” Jain adds.
“These sights are common in India,” says Meenakshi Radhanpara, an image consultant. “Wherever you go, you will find at least an individual or a group destroying things because they have paid for their fare. Be it trains, public toilets, airplanes and buses, they are all equally bad.
“We demand services, yet, we do not respect or maintain them.
Incidentally, It is not just the men who do this. Obviously, ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ is just for effect. Even education cannot remedy the kind of mentally we are instilled with,” adds Meenakshi.
“Having such a filthy attitude only speaks volumes about the kind of people who unfortunately live in India,” says a foreigner living in Pune.
“I have been at the receiving side of ill-mannered people here, though in comparison, Pune is better off than Goa, Hyderabad, Pondicherry etc.
“We are all responsible for the image of our country and when we travel abroad, we ought to be aware and behave sensibly,” she adds.
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#All views expressed are those of the respondent’s and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.
Reach her at loveleen@pune365.com or tweet @KaurKaur18
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