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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.)

Plastic: A Slow Poison

Hazardous chemicals, depleted soil, and dying cattle reveal the true cost of plastic waste.

In continuation of last week’s article, let us look more closely at what plastic waste is doing to our land and soil.


When plastic waste remains on the soil surface for prolonged periods, it slowly releases hazardous chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These substances seep into the soil, disrupting its natural composition, weakening soil health, and gradually reducing fertility. What appears to be an inert material on the surface quietly alters the very foundation of agricultural productivity.


The accumulation of plastic waste also disturbs soil chemistry. Studies indicate that while soil organic carbon may increase significantly—in some cases by nearly 34%—essential nutrients decline. This imbalance directly affects plant biomass, limiting healthy crop growth despite the apparent rise in carbon content.


Plastic bags and thin films create another layer of damage. By clogging soil pores, they restrict water infiltration and impede air circulation. The result is poor soil aeration, increased waterlogging, and a steady decline in the soil’s ability to sustain crops efficiently.


The impact extends to life beneath our feet. Microplastics interfere with soil organisms — from bacteria and fungi to larger creatures such as earthworms. These organisms play a critical role in nutrient cycling and soil structure. When their movement and activity are hindered, the soil’s natural capacity to regenerate and remain productive is compromised.


Beyond poor end-of-life management, plastics are increasingly entering soil through agricultural use itself—from mulch films to packaging and irrigation materials—compounding an already serious problem.


Impact of Plastic Waste

Heaps of garbage lie along the roadside — a grim reminder of everything we no longer want. The pile contains discarded food packed in polythene bags, half-eaten meals in open containers, and leftovers casually dumped by nearby residents. Mixed with these are rotting vegetables and other biodegradable waste.


Such a combination produces a foul, overpowering stench that most humans cannot tolerate. Yet that very smell acts as an open invitation to countless other beings.

From millions of microscopic bacteria to houseflies, fruit flies, insects, worms, and rats, garbage becomes a thriving ecosystem. For them, it is less a dump and more a buffet — a ready supply of nourishment available without effort.


Stray dogs and cats soon join in. And then come the cows and bulls.


We may not worry much about flies or rats; scavenging is part of their ecological role. But cows, bulls, and buffaloes are not meant to feed on garbage. So why are they drawn to these toxic heaps?


The answer is painfully simple. The smell of leftover food trapped inside polythene carry bags lures them in. Hungry and unable to distinguish between food and packaging, a cow noses through the waste in search of sustenance. It tries to reach the scraps sealed inside the plastic. Unable to open the bag, it swallows the entire thing.


Cows, bulls, and buffaloes are ruminants. Unlike us, they often swallow food quickly and chew it later. When plastic bags are ingested, they accumulate in the rumen — the first chamber of their stomach. Over time, these indigestible materials build up, blocking the digestive tract.


The consequences are severe. Plastic prevents proper digestion and nutrient absorption. It can cause chronic pain, indigestion, internal injuries, and dangerous obstructions. In many cases, hard masses of plastic form inside the stomach, requiring complex surgery to remove. Without intervention, the animal may slowly starve to death despite having a stomach full of waste.


There are compassionate veterinary surgeons and volunteers who operate on affected cows, removing kilos of polythene bags from their stomachs. Their work is heroic — but not every animal is rescued in time. Hundreds of cattle die each year after consuming plastic.


If cows are revered as sacred, this silent suffering demands attention. The question is not only about waste management. It is also about responsibility.


Will continue… Till then, have a thoughtful and restful weekend.


(The author is an environmentalist.)

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