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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.)

Tarmac and Turmoil

India’s economic ascent demands not just expressways to the future, but urban roads built on foresight, safety and civic sense.

India, a land of over 1.4 billion bright and industrious individuals, is on a remarkable journey. With its robust economic trajectory, the country is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. This transformation is not merely reflected in macroeconomic indicators but is also visible in the everyday lives of its people. Families that once belonged to the lower middle class in the 1980s have steadily progressed into higher income brackets, exemplifying the socioeconomic dynamism that defines today’s India.


One of the most heartening markers of this progress comes from the latest World Bank report, which notes that the rate of extreme poverty in India fell to 5.3 percent in 2022–23 from 27.1 percent in 2011–12. In just over a decade, nearly 269 million individuals have been lifted out of extreme poverty - an achievement few nations can claim in such a short span.


The story of urban India has evolved significantly as well. In the early 1990s, the country’s commercial heartbeat was concentrated in just four major metropolitan areas: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Today, a vibrant network of emerging cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurugram, Noida, Indore and Kanpur are redefining India’s industrial and innovation landscapes.


This rapid urban expansion, however, brings with it the responsibility to plan and build cities that are not just engines of growth, but also inclusive, efficient and livable. While the development of expressways, national highways, and economic corridors has been commendable, the next leap forward must focus on strengthening intra-city infrastructure, particularly roads and transport networks within urban areas.


Urban roads are lifelines that influence mobility, productivity, public safety and quality of life. To elevate our cities to truly global standards, a renewed focus on thoughtful urban planning is essential. Smooth traffic flow, efficient public transport, pedestrian-friendly pathways and smart traffic management systems are no longer aspirational but foundational.


But the consequences of neglecting urban road infrastructure are dire. Poorly maintained and chaotically designed roads have become treacherous deathtraps. Every year, thousands of lives are lost in accidents caused by potholes, abrupt lane drops, and a lack of signage. Families live with a constant trepidation, dreading the dangers that a simple daily commute may bring. This isn’t merely a matter of inconvenience but a national urgency costing India billion annually in lost productivity, fuel waste, vehicle damage, and healthcare.


Time, a resource that cannot be regenerated, is squandered in endless traffic snarls, while garrulous public debates often overshadow actionable change. Young, callow drivers often fall victim to poorly lit intersections and unpredictable road patterns. Even the most phlegmatic commuters find their patience fraying amid prolonged jams and erratic driving behavior. The urban experience becomes one of stress rather than opportunity.


The monsoon season further exacerbates these challenges. Many of our cities are ill-equipped to handle heavy rains, leading to widespread waterlogging. Roads become impassable rivers, public transport grinds to a halt and emergency services struggle to respond in time. People are often forced to remain indoors, businesses lose crucial working hours, and informal sector workers, who form the backbone of urban economies, suffer deeply. The economy, in effect, pauses. Productivity is drowned not just by rainfall, but by infrastructural neglect. A city held hostage by waterlogging reflects a systemic failure of planning and resilience. Pune and Mumbai have unfortunately epitomized this each monsoon.


To ensure the government’s efforts on infrastructure are effective, we must fulfil our civic duties on the roads. This means following traffic rules diligently, avoiding reckless driving, respecting lane discipline, not littering, yielding to pedestrians, and showing patience. Responsible road behavior complements public investment and enhances overall urban mobility and safety.


As we envision India's rise on the global stage, let us remember that world-class cities are not defined by skyscrapers alone, but by the quality of life they offer their residents. Roads that are smooth, safe and intelligently designed reflect a deeper ethos which is one of order, cooperation and care for the commons.


The road to becoming a fully developed nation, quite literally, begins beneath our feet. Let us walk - and drive - it together.


(The writer is an information security professional and author of ‘Be Your Own Stress Buster’. Views personal.)

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