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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 Trails: How Human Carelessness Is Killing Animals

What seems like a careless human can become a death sentence for wildlife.

Dear Reader, in my last article, I had briefly described how cows ingest plastic while foraging for food in garbage and waste dumps — an action driven by hunger and human negligence in waste disposal. However, cows and bulls are not the only animals exposed to and attracted to discarded food packed in plastic bags or wrappers.


We have not spared even wild animals. We visit forests, national parks and other protected wildlife areas to enjoy nature, yet ‘graciously’ leave our plastic footprints behind. There have been several incidents in Mumbai’s own Sanjay Gandhi National Park where spotted deer have been seen consuming plastic wrappers and even plastic bags carelessly discarded by irresponsible tourists.


Whether it is deer, cows, bulls or any other herbivorous animal, the consequences are severe. The accumulation of plastic causes blockages in the stomach and intestines, leading to severe constipation and ruminal impaction. Plastic fills the stomach, making the animal feel full and reducing its appetite for nutritious food, which results in weight loss, weakness and eventual starvation.


Sharp pieces of plastic can cause internal wounds and serious infections. The blockage also prevents proper digestion and the release of gases, leading to painful bloating and difficulty in breathing, which can often be fatal. Chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, such as bisphenols, lead and cadmium, can leach into these animals’ systems and may even enter the human food chain through milk and meat products.


In many cases, the long-term effects of plastic ingestion result in a slow and extremely painful death.


In May 2025, a photograph of a female elephant with a swollen abdomen, found dead in a water body near Coimbatore, went viral and shocked the nation. Initial speculation surrounded the cause of death, but the post-mortem revealed a tragic reality — the elephant was pregnant and had died due to the consumption of plastic waste. The incident served as a grim reminder of how human-generated litter is silently claiming the lives of even the largest wild animals.


More recently, video footage released earlier this month from the Shola forests in Karnataka’s Brahmagiri hills showed wildlife researchers discovering significant quantities of plastic waste embedded in elephant dung. The visuals clearly indicated how deeply plastic pollution has penetrated natural habitats that were once considered untouched and pristine.


Disturbing incidents are being reported from other protected forests as well. In Tadoba National Park, a young tiger was filmed playing with and chewing a discarded plastic bottle, raising serious concerns about tourist behaviour and waste management inside wildlife zones. Such interactions not only alter natural animal behaviour but also expose wildlife to potentially fatal health risks.


The problem extends beyond large mammals. Snakes are often found trapped inside plastic bags, unable to escape. Stray dogs frequently get their heads or limbs stuck in discarded plastic containers and packaging, a distressingly common sight in both urban and semi-urban areas. Increasingly, both stray and wild animals are being exposed to plastic litter carelessly generated and abandoned by humans, turning everyday waste into a widespread environmental and animal welfare crisis.


The menace of plastic pollution does not end on land alone. In my earlier articles in this series, I had highlighted that plastic waste generated in our homes does not simply disappear. Every piece of plastic we discard continues its journey somewhere. Much of this waste is carelessly thrown onto open land, setting off a chain of environmental damage that often goes unnoticed.


Imagine a familiar scene. Six-year-old Meir and his cousin Advay are playing on an open ground with their friends when a passer-by casually throws an empty PET water bottle and a polythene bag nearby before walking away. For him, it may seem insignificant, but that single act begins another journey of pollution.


Curious to know where the plastic finally ends up, Meir and Advay decide to follow its path. Where does this waste go once it leaves our sight? Let us join them next week as they trace the journey of plastic beyond our homes. Until then, have a mindful and plastic-free weekend.


(The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)


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