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...

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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.)

Yoga’s Evolution: A Timeless Journey

Shraddha Deshpande
Jul 24, 2025
3 min read

Yoga is not just a practice—it is a way of life, a timeless guide to living with awareness, compassion, and harmony.

Yoga, an ancient practice rooted deeply in Indian tradition, continues to gain global recognition for its holistic benefits for body, mind, and spirit. While the exact origins of yoga are shrouded in the mists of time, traces of its existence date back at least 5,000 years. Some historians even suggest that it could be as old as 10,000 years. The evolution of yoga is often studied through four broad historical periods, each shaping its form and philosophy in unique ways.

Four Historical Stages

1. The Vedic Period

This period is considered the earliest phase of yoga. It is closely associated with the Vedas—the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda, some of the world's oldest sacred texts. The Rigveda contains hymns in praise of divine forces, often considered the spiritual seeds from which the roots of yoga sprouted. The practices during this era were more ritualistic and meditative, often focused on connecting with the cosmos through devotion and sacrifice.

2. The Pre-Classical Period

Following the Vedic era, this phase includes the technique found in the Upanishads and Vedanta—the philosophical conclusions of the Vedas. This period marks a shift from external rituals to inner contemplation and self-realisation. It introduced concepts like the Atman (soul), Brahman (universal spirit), and the interconnectedness of all life. These ideas laid groundwork for what would later evolve into the philosophical foundation of yoga.

3. The Classical Period

Often considered the golden age of yoga, this period saw the first systematic presentation of yoga philosophy by Sage Patanjali in his seminal work, the Yoga Sutras, written between the 3rd and 6th centuries BCE. Patanjali outlined the eight limbs of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), which include ethical disciplines (Yama and Niyama), physical postures (Asana), breath control (Pranayama), withdrawal of the senses (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and absorption or enlightenment (Samadhi). This classical framework continues to influence modern yoga practice and philosophy.

4. The Post-Classical Period

Spanning from the time after Patanjali to the modern day, this phase includes a variety of interpretations and practices of yoga. It gave rise to Hatha Yoga, Tantra, and other branches that focused more on the body as a vehicle for spiritual transformation. This period is also marked by integrating yoga into everyday life and adapting to changing social and cultural contexts.

Yoga in the Modern Era

In the late 19th century, yoga began to reach a global audience. A significant milestone in this journey was Swami Vivekananda’s address at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he introduced the profound spiritual philosophy of yoga and Vedanta to the Western world. Since then, yoga has gained universal appeal, transcending boundaries of culture and religion.

Indian Philosophy and Darshana

In Indian intellectual tradition, philosophy is known as Darshana, a Sanskrit term meaning "vision" or "insight into the true nature of reality." Indian philosophy is broadly categorised into two streams—Astika, which accepts authority of the Vedas, and Nastika, which does not.

Among the Astika schools, six classical systems stand out:

• Purva Mimamsa

• Vedanta

• Nyaya (logic and epistemology)

• Vaisheshika (metaphysics)

• Sankhya (cosmic dualism)

• Yoga

Of these, yoga aligns most closely with the Sankhya school, sharing its metaphysical framework while offering a practical discipline for self-realisation. Through physical, mental, and ethical practices, yoga serves as a path toward inner liberation—a vision central to the Indian philosophical quest.

The Diverse Paths of Yoga

Though the goal of yoga is universal—union with the self and the divine—different individuals resonate with different paths, depending on their temperament and lifestyle. The primary paths include

Jnana Yoga—the path of wisdom and self-inquiry

Bhakti Yoga—the path of devotion and love

Karma Yoga—the path of selfless action

Raja Yoga—the path of meditation and discipline

Hatha Yoga—the physical aspect of yoga, including postures and breathing

Mantra Yoga—the path of sound and vibration

Each path offers a unique approach, but ultimately, all lead to the same destination—inner peace, self-awareness, and spiritual liberation.

(The writer is a yoga educator and researcher based in Pune.)