May 06, 2001 01:00 PM
1916 Views
I have narrated the following story I read, long ago, in one of my earlier reviews. However it fits so appropriately for this review on India, that I am tempted to write it again.
When God created world, he saw to it that each country had at least ONE thing exclusive to it, so as to enable that country to use it to build its economic, social strength. Some had natural beauty to attract tourists and build their economies on tourism-business. Some had superior technological know-how, to sell to the rest of the world. Some had mineral resources to command a monopoly in the minerals they extracted and sold to the rest of the world. However, God made a mistake. Out oversight, he gave India EVERYTHING. Intelligent people, Natural beauty, not just one, but several minerals, superior cultivable soil which can grow the widest varieties of crops with favourable weather to compliment it, Vast coast-line, etc…etc… All countries went to God and complained to him that it was not fair to them that they each had only ONE advantageous asset, whereas India had almost everything. God immediately realised that he HAD indeed made a mistake. He said that he could in no way take back, what he had already given, but to compensate the extra advantages, I will give India, its GOVERNMENT.
USA charges US.$.30 per car (may be more today…$30 was in ‘92) to enter Yosemite Park. India has umpteen places that will put Yosemite Park to shame. Alas! Self-interest driven policies framed by our politicians have failed miserably, in “SELLING” these beautiful places successfully to the rest of the world. May be we Indians are not as disciplined as Germans or as well mannered (often to the point of being snobbish) as the French. But we are unmatched in warmth and human compassion. India is the only country that legally recognises the diverse needs of various religions and sects. The natural beauty coupled with warmth of the people itself should be enough to attract tourists, and build one of the most lucrative, economy-boosting business of all : TOURISM. But all our successive governments have ignored it. May be, because the politicians saw nothing in it for THEM.
Give them just ONE small beach , and most countries develop all kinds of water activities, water skiing, surfing, jet-skiing, speed boats, scuba diving, (even a small country like Thailand offers coral reef diving ) to attract tourists. India has one of the largest coastline, innumerable beaches, and yet we have absolutely NOTHING to offer, but beautiful long beaches made dirty and polluted due to poor management and lack of political will. Once again probably because the politicians saw nothing in it for THEM.
The whole world goes to Chamonix to go to the top Mt.Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps) in a cable-car. Switzerland boasts of breathe-taking views of the Eiger. US, very successfully ‘SELLS’ its Pike’s Peak. India has Kanchenjunga, Everest, Shivling, Matsapuchhare, Nandadevi, and several more amazing snow-clad mountains. But, leave aside visiting them, how many in the world have even HEARD of them. Its not theses mountains are all absolutely inaccessible, properly motorable roads and proper infrastructure can take us almost to the foot of most of these magnificent mountains.
France, China and several countries attract tourists with their yearly social EVENTS or CARNIVALS, It is only NOW, after decades of independence that we are beginning to ‘market’ Kumbh Mela properly to the world. This is probably the first year that the kumbh mela has passed without any major mishaps, and has been properly propagated and advertised.
I can go on and on and on and on… counting umpteen number of potential tourist attractions that India HAS to offer, but cannot, due to lack of infrastructure and total lack of political will to provide one. TOURISM is known to have boosted the economies of several countries. Some countries survive on tourism alone. And yet ever since independence, all our successive governments have totally neglected it.
All in all,
INDIA : a beautiful country, with basically nice warm people, a nation that should be at the top of the list of all tourists. A great country, spoiled by a handful of politicians.
Come to think of it, why blame ONLY the politicians for it. A politician is after all a product of the same society, that we all come from. .We, the people, what have WE done about it. We sit here in front of our comps writing reviews, we migrate to other countries, make our fortunes and scoff at the state India is in..But have WE ourselves done our bit for our beloved country?
