top of page

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 Vision to Action: Building Thane’s First Biomedical Waste Facility

With TMC land, IIT-Bombay guidance, and a mix of savings and loans, we built a biomedical waste facility.

In an earlier article, I reviewed hospital technologies for managing biomedical waste, from microwaves to autoclaves, and their challenges in India. Furthermore, I highlighted how the shift focused on innovative developments and inspiring success stories within the country. From the Make in India–driven Srjanam automated biomedical waste treatment plant at AIIMS, New Delhi, to the grassroots, community-led efforts of Thane’s Enviro-Vigil NGO, these initiatives showcase both cutting-edge technology and sustained local action that are shaping the future of sustainable biomedical waste management in India.


While these innovations highlighted what was possible at a national and institutional level, our own journey in Thane began much closer to home. With limited experience but a strong resolve, we decided to take on the challenge of creating a functional biomedical waste facility ourselves.


Given our non-technical backgrounds, we were naturally a little apprehensive at first, but we decided to take the plunge and give it a try. A few pharmaceutical companies already had incinerators, and a couple of scientist friends introduced us to the machines. We also sought guidance from experts at IIT-Bombay to learn and adopt the technology. After several rounds of discussions, deliberations, and careful consideration, we finally decided to accept the challenge and move forward.


The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) provided the required land within the premises of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa. When we visited for the first time, the site was completely covered with construction and demolition debris collected from across the city. Our initial task was to clear the debris and level the land to make it suitable and safe for our operations. We rolled up our sleeves and started working on it.


Another significant hurdle was raising sufficient funds. This was necessary not only to acquire the incinerator, autoclave, and other machines. We would also have to develop the necessary infrastructure, including a storehouse, office space, and a large room to house the incinerator. The total budget at that time was around sixty lakh rupees. We contributed a portion from our personal savings and secured a loan from a local bank to cover the remaining amount.


The next step was to complete all legal formalities and obtain authorisation from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Eventually, after clearing the debris, constructing the infrastructure, procuring the equipment, and installing everything in accordance with standard norms and specifications, the facility was fully operational.


In the meantime, we organised a seminar for doctors and hospital staff in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association, Thane chapter, to provide detailed information about the common biomedical waste facility we were setting up and to address any questions or concerns they had. In addition, we developed a comprehensive training programme for nurses and housekeeping staff across the hospitals to help them understand the provisions of the 1998 biomedical waste rules and to clarify the responsibilities of each employee, especially regarding proper waste segregation. We began conducting these training sessions in every hospital using slideshows and posters, even before the incinerator and other equipment were installed.


Beyond these internal initiatives, we also created awareness posters featuring appeals from eminent Marathi film and theatre actors such as D. Girish Oak, Suhastai Joshi, and Sarika Nawathe. The posters showed the actors urging the general public to consider whether they were aware of biomedical waste, followed by the message: “Ask your doctor whether they are segregating their waste.” This initiative aimed to educate ordinary citizens about a completely new category of waste, something no other operational facility in India had attempted at the time.


We officially began collecting and treating waste in March 2003, and the facility was formally inaugurated by Shri Ram Naik, then Petroleum Minister, Government of India. By that time, we had also started enrolling clinics and hospitals to connect with our facility in compliance with the rules, ensuring a structured and law-abiding system for biomedical waste management.


Curious to know what happens next? Stay tuned for next week’s continuation, and have a fantastic weekend!


(The author is an environmentalist. Views Personal.)

Comments

bottom of page