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By:

Naresh Kamath

5 November 2024 at 5:30:38 am

Indian Tourists Need a Reputation Reset

India has long taken pride in the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ - the belief that guests deserve warmth, respect and dignity. It is an idea deeply woven into the country’s cultural imagination, often been projected as a defining Indian value. As millions of Indians travel overseas every year, the conduct of a small but highly visible section of Indian tourists is increasingly shaping how India itself is perceived abroad. The issue is not about a single incident or a handful of viral...

Indian Tourists Need a Reputation Reset

India has long taken pride in the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ - the belief that guests deserve warmth, respect and dignity. It is an idea deeply woven into the country’s cultural imagination, often been projected as a defining Indian value. As millions of Indians travel overseas every year, the conduct of a small but highly visible section of Indian tourists is increasingly shaping how India itself is perceived abroad. The issue is not about a single incident or a handful of viral videos but a pattern that is drawing notice from hotels, tourism operators and local authorities across the world. The debate gained fresh momentum after reports emerged of a Swiss hotel issuing a notice specifically addressed to Indian guests. The advisory reportedly requested guests not to pack food from breakfast buffets for later consumption and reminded them to maintain silence in corridors and balconies. Hotels routinely issue guidelines. But when a particular nationality becomes the subject of a specific advisory, it inevitably raises larger questions about perception. “It is a sorry state of affairs. Indians, especially in groups, are displaying atrocious behaviour. This was anyway bound to happen,” says Subhash Motwani, founder of Namaste Tourism. Embarrassing Incidents Whether the notice was justified is another separate matter. The question is why such perceptions are emerging in the first place. Recent months have seen several incidents involving Indian tourists gain traction on social media. One widely circulated video showed travellers performing garba on an airport tarmac in Vietnam. Garba is among India’s most vibrant cultural traditions and a source of immense pride for millions. Yet airports are highly regulated spaces where safety protocols and discipline take precedence over celebration. The incident became symbolic of a larger problem. The rise of social media has encouraged some travellers to treat foreign destinations as stages for content creation. Public dancing, loud celebrations, disruptive behaviour and attention-seeking stunts may generate views and engagement online, but they can also leave lasting impressions on locals and fellow tourists. India is hardly the first country to confront such a challenge. During the 1950s and 1960s, American tourists acquired a reputation for arrogance abroad, giving rise to the phrase “Ugly American.” Britain spent decades dealing with the international embarrassment caused by football hooliganism. China faced similar concerns as outbound tourism surged during the early years of the twenty-first century. A nation’s image is shaped not just by its economic achievements and diplomatic influence but also by the behaviour of its citizens overseas. India today finds itself in a similar situation. Indian tourists are now among the most visible traveller groups across Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This is, in many ways, a remarkable success story. However, with visibility comes responsibility. Hospitality professionals across destinations frequently point to recurring concerns. Excessive noise, queue-jumping, disregard for local regulations, overcrowding hotel rooms and attempts to bypass established rules through jugaad are among the complaints often cited. Collectively, repeated experiences can create lasting perceptions. The most revealing aspect of the debate is that Indian travellers often display exemplary discipline in countries known for strict law enforcement. In destinations such as Singapore, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, compliance with rules is generally high. Complaints tend to emerge more frequently in places perceived as relaxed or lenient. That suggests the challenge is not one of awareness. Most travellers understand the rules perfectly well. The problem is often a mindset that rules can be negotiated when consequences appear unlikely. Changing that mindset is far more important than introducing additional regulations or issuing fresh advisories. Every interaction at an airport, hotel, restaurant, tourist attraction or public transport system contributes to how a country is viewed. These everyday encounters often shape perceptions more powerfully than government campaigns or tourism advertisements. As India stakes its claim to a larger role in the world, its citizens must recognise that national prestige is shaped not only by economic achievements and diplomatic successes, but also by everyday behaviour abroad. The overwhelming majority of Indian tourists travel responsibly and leave behind positive impressions. Their conduct rarely becomes news because courtesy seldom goes viral. Yet a handful of highly visible incidents can overshadow thousands of positive experiences. The challenge is to encourage responsible travel and a greater awareness that behaviour abroad carries consequences beyond the individual. The conduct of Indian citizens overseas should reflect the confidence and values of a nation seeking not merely recognition but enduring respect. (The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

From Seas to Sinks: The Silent Spread of Microplastics

Scientists describe microplastics as “toxic magnets” that carry heavy metals and chemicals into the food chain.

Plastic has quietly become an inseparable part of daily life — from the clothes people wear and the packaging they use to the medical equipment found in hospitals and homes. Its convenience has made it unavoidable in modern society. However, scientists now warn that the same material is creating a serious environmental and public health challenge. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste flow into oceans, rivers and lakes. Over time, this waste breaks into tiny particles that are almost invisible, yet continue to exist in water, soil and living organisms for decades.


These tiny fragments are known as microplastics. They are smaller than five millimetres and form when larger plastic products degrade under sunlight, heat, and physical pressure. But broken waste is only part of the story. Every day, human activities add heavily to the problem. When synthetic clothes are washed, fine plastic fibres escape into wastewater. Many cosmetic and personal care products contain microbeads that go straight down the drain. Industrial discharge and poorly treated sewage further increase the amount of microplastics entering rivers and lakes. Because of their microscopic size, most of these particles pass through normal filtration systems without being removed.


Once microplastics reach rivers, lakes and seas, aquatic life begins to consume them. Plankton, small fish, crabs and shellfish mistake these particles for food. When bigger fish eat smaller ones, plastic travels up the food chain. In this way, microplastics that begin in the environment finally reach humans through seafood and drinking water. Even people who rarely eat fish may be exposed through contaminated water supplies.


The risk is not only from plastic particles themselves. Scientists explain that microplastics behave like “toxic magnets”. They attract heavy metals, pesticides and other chemical pollutants present in water. These harmful substances attach to the surface of microplastics. As organisms consume them, toxins slowly build up in their bodies. The concentration becomes stronger as it moves from one level of the food chain to another, ultimately reaching humans in higher doses.


Health experts warn that long-term exposure to microplastics may disturb the human immune system, hormone balance and metabolism. Some studies suggest links to inflammation and cell damage. Although research is still ongoing, early findings already point to possible risks that deserve serious attention from policymakers and the public.


Earlier, microplastic pollution was considered only a marine problem affecting distant oceans. Today, the situation has changed. Researchers have detected microplastics in rivers, groundwater and even in tap water in many cities. This means the problem has entered urban homes. Their presence reduces water quality, harms aquatic ecosystems and raises serious questions about the safety of everyday drinking water, especially in fast-growing urban areas.


Experts say the problem cannot be solved by awareness alone. Strong and coordinated action is needed. Governments must improve waste segregation and recycling systems and strictly enforce producer responsibility so companies manage plastic waste properly from production to disposal. Wastewater treatment plants must be upgraded with modern filtration technologies capable of trapping microplastic particles before they enter natural water bodies.


Citizens also have an important role to play. Reducing the use of single-use plastics, carrying cloth bags, choosing natural fabrics instead of synthetic ones and avoiding cosmetic products with microbeads can make a real difference. Even small daily choices can significantly reduce plastic pollution at the source.


The journey of microplastics from distant oceans to kitchen taps is a silent but serious warning. If ignored, it can damage ecosystems, threaten food safety and harm public health. Protecting water resources today is no longer just an environmental responsibility — it is essential for the health and safety of future generations. What we do with plastic now will decide what flows through our taps tomorrow.


(The writer is a senior journalist. Views personal.)

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