Tourism in India is being RAPED

End of 2012 has given us the shocking news of a girl being raped in Delhi. And the process of agitation was started on the roads of Delhi and across the country. This incident has been covered by media globally. Certainly here media has played a pivotal role in terms of spreading this gruesome act. The direct effect of this news on India is being seen on the number of foreign tourists arrivals and cancellation in Indian tourism sector in the next financial year 2013 - 14.  Tourism activity from the higher spender countries dipped very badly.This year when Tourism industry was trying to come out of this loss “Badayun’s” incident took place and has pulled the legs again. And the icing on the cake has been done by the UN General Assembly’s statement on Badayun Rape case.

Now the debate on Badayun rape has started everywhere. Condemning the incident is the only outcome of every debate and write ups. All the participants have their view on how to stop such incident; politicians have their own opinion. But no one has a solution for it. Many of them says that this is the part of our society since centuries, and it was always there. No one can stop this some are blaming it to the current fashion trend, education system, television, western society exposure and social media for provoking it. Question arises here is - whom we should blame for it? All those who have studied psychology might have the answer to it. But they are also not sure about the remedies.  When UN General Assembly condemned the statement of our politician this itself tells how sensitive our politicians are towards this issue.

In terms of Tourism development in India where none of the past government has done anything to develop it except for making paper plans. Whatever tourism we are having today in our country it is because of our country's past history and cultural heritage. This glorious past of ours is selling India as a tourism product globally. And such act which later on becomes news directly affects the tourism industry. After this the effect spread towards its suppliers. And suppliers are not only the big Hotels and Transporters but also the small restaurateur, Dhaba Waala, Autowaala, rickshaw puller in cities like Agra, Orcha, Khajuraho to the Boatman in Varanasi. The effect is so wide that one can not calculate the loss to the economy of a country. The data of finance ministry about the foreign exchange earning in tourism sector of our country is  not very accurate, as many miscellaneous expenses often goes unchecked and that money actually helps provide employment to the locals who are basically unskilled laborers.

Last year when natural calamity took place in Badarinath where thousands of people lost their life has a very damaging economical effect on Varanasi’s boatmen and Tour operators. As the Water level of the river Ganges rises the boating was stopped by the authority due to safety reason. This has made boatmen unemployed for almost three months from June end till September last week. Of course this is not in our hand and we can't do much about it till we can do some permanent arrangements for flood waters reuse. But certainly we can do something in Rape cases.

Convicting the culprits and debating on television is not the solution, we ourselves have to work upon the solution. Today’s time when the world has become a city and different countries have become part of this city, we can not afford the re occurrences of such gruesome act. One has to be answerable for it and that one will be us only. None of us can change the society single handed, but yes if we come together and become answerable to each other the change will be seen sooner.  

Tourism has good potential in our country and this will not only solve our economic problem but also generate the employment to this youngest country of the world. Countries like Mauritius, Singapore, and Maldives etc. are surviving beautifully on tourism then why we can’t we? And especially when we have so much to offer to our visitor which no other country can in the world.

It is a wake up call for everyone in India.” Good days will only come when we will work for it”. Otherwise it will remain a slogan only.

“God Bless Tourism in India”.                             

Tourism Effects on Environment in India

India has become one of the biggest tourist destinations across the Globe. And it has to be. Our history tells us that we were always the attraction of the west. Right from the days of Harrappa – Mohanjodado to Taxila University and later on Nalanda and Vijayanagaram Empire in the medieval India and in Modern India the Europeans got attracted towards us. Every time the effect of these movements towards Indian sub-continent was different. And before British era people come to our country for Trade and Education and that has always given India stature of Guru to the entire world. When Romans were fighting in tribes we were electing our first parliament and when England was in Black Age we were constructing Vishnu temples in Cambodia and other south East Asian countries.

Promoting India as a tourist destination has no harm. But the problem is, are we working towards the sustainability of the environment and its people? According to me we are not !! As we should know, that this is the only export industry in which we don’t have to manufacture or produce anything and export it. But we still earn in Dollars. The data of foreign tourist arrival in India in the year 2011 – 12 was 6.5 million. And in today’s world the awareness of Europeans, Australians, American and Japanese have become so much high towards the protection of environment that we can’t even imagine.

There was a time Shimla in Himachal Pradesh was a Hill station and the summer capital of British Raj. But now it has become any other crowded city of our country. Where you’ll go in any season you will find maximum crowed from Delhi and Chandigarh who are roaming and littering around. Concrete Jungle which we see in Shimla today is the result of outsiders(not the natives) who have migrated there and cutting trees and constructing Hotels without understanding the danger caused to the environment by their these acts. Sustainability in Tourism industry is the need of the hour. If we really want to thrive in tourism field for long time one has to start acting now. As unplanned development of tourist destination is not only a threat to environment but also a threat to local economy development.

Carbon emission is one of the biggest threats. And Air Travel is the major contributor in increasing the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. One of the solution could be a better use of land transport system e.g. Railways etc to travel distance places in India. In Europe many travel companies have already started using Euro-rail, that way we also in India can use Railways to travel from one city to another and use more of a local and mass transport system in the city where we have to visit or visiting. This will not only reduce the carbon emission but also give opportunity to locals to earn their living. This will be another way of supporting the local economy directly.

In our country littering is another big threat to the environment. Here we have to work upon reducing this hazard to safeguard the environment. Litter--Reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Use rubbish bins or take it with you if bins are not provided.

When we are using the hotel try to do the following. It will definitely help the environment in direct way. Toiletries--Bring biodegradable soaps from home and avoid using the hotel soaps.  Bring your own towel.

In the wild and while camping--If no toilets are available, make sure you “do your thing” 30m from a water source, bury waste in the organic layer and take toilet paper with you in a Ziploc bag.  When washing, avoid contaminating streams and lakes with soap.  Rinse off 30m away from the water. 

While Hiking and walking in the wild or on the mountains -- Stay on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts as these can lead to erosion. 

Wildlife and nature--Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging their natural habitat. When in sea side areas take care not to touch coral reefs and do not feed fish. Do not pick flowers.

Across the globe companies who are working in tourism field have started working upon it. Especially companies which operating in Europe, Australia, USA, and Canada etc. certainly the effect of this activity will be visible in some time from now. But the best part is they have started working upon. And that is the good news for tourism Industry.      

Environment is the back bone of Tourism Industry and so we have to realize the importance of it, as I said it is not only flourish the economy of our country but also provide immense opportunity to the commoners to earn their living and live a better life at their native places.    

INDIA

We are the most fortunate ones’ as we are born on this soil, where there are the doors to heaven and salvation. God himself glorifies the greatness of India with these words “The Land of purity, sacrifice and courageous people, the land full of knowledge, science, art, trade and medicine, the land of “Karma” of our ancestors – where the evil forces were defeated by the forces of good. The land adorned with beautiful forests and mountains, the land known for pure happiness, bravery, great patriotism and compassion and other good things”.

It is better than heaven and with the spirit of sacrificing everything for the purpose of the land of India. In a country where many languages are spoken and many religions are practiced, Indians live like a family. Politically our land is divided into many states. But our culture is one.

When the sons of India have been raised under one culture then how can boundaries segregate them?

I warn you, not to attempt dividing India on the basis of states. Hold on to the thread of culture, that binds one human with another. For I see regional policies dividing people of this great country. Culture must be rectifying the damage done by the politics. Culture must act as a bridge. Culture is devoid of religion, language or caste. Indian philosophy firmly believes in the union of Man with God. But first man has to unite with man ! Then only we’ll be able to save the Culture, Philosophy and Tradition of this great country.

arise India.      

“Varanasi”- The Luminous City

My reason of choosing Varanasi as a topic to write upon is entirely based on thought which has always inspired me about the city called Varanasi, the city which is an epitome of Hindu religion, the city which is believed to be situated on the trident of God Shiva and believed to be even safe during apocalypse, the city where Lord Buddha turn the wheel of Law “Dhamma Chakra Parivartana” gave his first sermon after his enlightenment, the city which is the birth place of four Thirthankaras of Jain religion, the city which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev, the city where Bhakti movement started, the city where Hindi Literature reached to its pinnacle, the city where Hindus come to die and achieve “moksha”, the city where St. Thomas came, the city where Mughal emperor Aurangzeb built two mosques, the city where every foreign traveler wants to come and this is the city which is called Varanasi.

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, it has a mention in Vedas as a sacred city, the uniqueness lies in its people who don’t want to go anywhere else, people come here to die, and it has been called the “Mahasmashana” the biggest cremation ground. Whenever we go to the cremation site/Ghat, a sound which comes is “Ram Naam Satya Hai” this means the only truth is almighty God rest is all fake. Especially when we know the ultimate truth of human being is death. But, still we are fighting for things which are perishable or will never stay with us forever, why? The answer of this why has been achieved by laureates like Kabir, Raidasa, Tulasidasa and other prominent personality in the medieval and in ancient period in Varanasi only, and that is why the city has achieved its glory.

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The city is not only famous for dying, but also popular for its colourful and religious life, many people come to Banaras for study, for business for service etc. the service sector is growing in Varanasi the job opportunity have grown in manifold especially in Tourism sector particularly in Varanasi and people from different district of the state and other part of country have migrated to this place for a better job opportunity and better life. And living in the city where God Shiva and mother Ganga lives have an added advantage. This is one of the cities in the country where you will find people socializing with each other in still natural way unlike other Metropolis where everyone is rushing for something and has no personal life. In this city you will find people sitting at tea stalls on roadside in the morning till evening and discuss country’s issue or even family matters openly, without being getting bothered about their work and earning livelihood. This is the beauty of this city life revolves around Panwala’s shop (Betel leaf shop). Every “Banarasi” has all the time in this world for talking and solving each other’s problem. This is Varanasi for India.

Life starts here with prayer and ends also with prayer, culturally this city is one of the richest cities of our country, the attitude of its people is so laidback that the shops here opens at 11:30 AM, because they have many other important things to do before coming to their shops. This city has many multinational companies’ offices also, and life there is fast like other metropolitan cities. In my course of staying here made me aware of so many small things which were there but was ignored by us enlarge. I have walked on the Ghats and spent hours there, and I realized the life is here only. Where you find kids playing cricket without bothering of ball getting wet if it goes in the river, old men playing cards on the stairs of the bank, kids flying kites from the boat and many of them silently meditating, foreigners are roaming from one Ghat to another clicking photographs and commenting positive things about life at Ghats. When we attend the evening Aarti at Dashaswamedha Ghat the reaction of tourist is worth watching and the camera clicks continuously on a daily basis from the start of the Aarti till the end, tourist fold their hands in respect to mother Ganga. That is the charm of this place and this is what people of Banaras connect with.

Varanasi is one of the most visited destinations on the planet. People from all over the world and India have made Varanasi their home. People from all walks of life can be seen everywhere in the city. And that is why I call “Varanasi-The Luminous City”.

N. O. T. A.

NOTA is the Button which one should definitely try in this elections as this is the only option or a Political Party which is honest towards the Nation. Me advocating NOTA has a reason, these days most of the parties are busy in giving sermons to the people of this country as they are the best and they are the only choice who can bring change in present day situation. As we all know our country has history of betrayals. In every fifth year parties and there leader comes to us and make fake promises and go away. There are so many concerns which are bigger in terms of benefiting the society has not been addressed by any of the party and its leader nor in the past and I am sure neither have they had plans to address these issues in the future as well. I have a ground of raising this point here. At large people of our country don’t understand the complex issues of the country basically they don’t want to indulge and invest their time discussing such concerns because they think it is the problem which is not directly affecting their day to day life. And this is the point where political parties take advantage.

A very recent example for my above written statement is the case of Reliance Gas Price crisis in which Reliance as a company which has taken this contract to provide Natural Gas to many companies in India at a certain price for next 17 years or so, so that people of this country gets benefit from it in terms of Power supply and cooking gas, but suddenly the company wants to raise the price of producing gas because it is not benefiting the company. Certainly in this case direct involvement of public is not there but the Public Sector companies and other Oil producing companies which are PSUs will face problem with this as they are involved in it here the question of concern is if they have to pay the price which Reliance has asked for from there own pocket which is technically would be there if this happened (matter is in the Supreme Court). If God forbidden next govt. also says what Reliance is asking is right who will be ultimate looser and can someone tell me from whose pocket this money will be snatched from to pay Reliance, it is certainly from the Aam Janta’s pocket because ultimately the end users are they, and they have to pay bills to use all these essential services. Such points and issues has not been raised in any party’s manifestoes as it has been proven fact that they get donations for their party funds from all these big business houses so they are obliged to take care of these companies interests and our poor, innocent and uneducated population who is still worried about the marriages of their daughters and the money from MANREGA has come to their account or not, although they deserve more than this small pennies. I had a chance of meeting a resident of Greator Noida who was serving as a generator man in a moving vehicle which provides power to the on ground function either government of private held he told me that BSP government was better than SP Government in UP because it gave him 50,000 rupees for her daughter’s marriage and because of this he’ll again vote to BSP only.

There is another recent example of a student union leader’s behavior with his professor in Delhi University, that so called union leader went to this professor’s office with the problem of his fellow student who has complained to him of not getting a Laptop in spite enrolling himself in 4 years degree course and this has been promised by the University to give him a Laptop for study purpose for free. That student leader went to Professor of concern department and in stead of requesting him he said this time Modi Sarkar is coming and he’ll make sure how he’ll not provide Laptop to his fellow student, after listening to his argument this professor laughed at him, this gesture of professor made this future leader annoyed and he beat him very badly. And very proudly confesses his act of so called bravery. Are we actually voting for such “good days to come” which is the slogan of BJP.

Manifestoes of all the political parties are showing big and beautiful picture of prosperous India in coming 5 years and yes certainly we also want to see prosperous India but none of the parties have given the path or explaining the roadmap to achieve this prosperity. Congress have said that they will give employment to 10 crore people in next 5 years if they come in power, they are in the power from last 10 years and have made this country the corruption king of the world. How can someone believe them again, more or less every parties have the same content in their manifestoes only change is the name of the Party on it.

It is the time when we all should wake up and cast our vote for the betterment of this country because it is us who can develop the country by using our biggest RIGHT and we have to take initiative by making sure of casting 100% Vote this time. 

When will India shine ?

It has been 4 months since I am thinking about the general elections in my country and confused about whom to vote certainly I am sure I will not cast my vote in favor of Congress, these days every news channel is talking about election analysis, and there own opinion about the present political system and the mood of the general public. One thing is very clear in my mind that people of my country may not very expressive in large but certainly have made up their mind by now about whom to vote this time. Today I saw the clipping of Satymav Jayatay’s show in which Amir Khan was discussing about the tainted politician in our parliament and in political parties. Everyone knows this but still ignoring this fact. The history of our country has proven that this is not a new thing which is taking place in present day’s politics we have a very vivid examples in the past.

At large people of my country have become ignorant in terms political system’s reforms. Nobody is interested because most of us think this is not our cup of tea and we just have to take care of my family and my earnings that is it. As I need to fulfill my family requirement first, which is more important to me in stead of cleaning the political system of this country, and yes this is the truth no matter how much we propagate about the cleanliness and corruption free political system I don’t think we Indian believes that it will be cleaned ever

Every political party today talks about the development but no one has utter a single word in favor of honesty, as this is one of the most unpractical thing to practice in politics as politics itself means dishonesty in today’s world. Our history itself tells us why honesty is difficult. Right from the Mahabharata days till Mughals and after that Britishers time everyone has talked about the power and ruling but no one has ever tried to practice honesty in their acts. It was only development and fake promises which has been offered to the dwellers of this country. I spoke to my maid one day about the casting of her vote and change in the political system in this. I know many of you guys must be thinking what opinion she’ll give as she must be an illiterate person, but believe you me her answer came as a shock to me, she said I don’t know any politician and I think if I’ll go to meet them probably I’ll not be able to cross his entrance gate either but yes I want a change in present situation of mine and for that I’ll vote someone who’ll promise me the same. Then I asked what are your requirements she said a small house for me and my family and a regular and continuous work in which I should get enough money to fulfill my daily requirements I don’t have to think about tomorrow so that I can sleep peacefully. She added one more thing into her statement which was more shocking to me as she is married from last 25 years and have 3 grownup kids but she said I don’t know what my parents saw in my husband and his family that they got married me here. I am tired of thinking about a better, beautiful and peaceful life for myself and my family is there anyone who can provide all this to me I’ll definitely vote for him.

The basic requirement of general public is still very small, and that also we have not been able to fulfill after so many years of our independence and development. My question is who is developing and for whom he is developing? Certainly he is not developing for the general public that is for sure. Otherwise these basic questions would not be raised by the public at large. We have to understand and out rightly reject the theory of development in these elections it is not about the development it should be about the honesty. It is not the Aam Aadmi, BJP or the Congress’s manifestoes it is about the commitment to work honestly towards the betterment of the society. Please understand the basic needs of the people and try to fulfill those needs first.

Why our girls still got raped? Why passengers in a train got looted? Why one has to bribe an officer to get his work done? Why the roads are not in good condition? Why the sewerage system is not working properly in urban areas of the country? Today in the 21st century we have so many whys unanswered. Why? And the question which has been raised here are very basic ones. It does not require a penal to find out answers. It would have never raised if the political system of over country was honest, but it is our country’s bad luck that it has never resolved neither in past nor in present and I am sure with the present political situation it will never be resolved in future either.

Now we need change and we need change desperately. I don’t want anyone to raise finger against my country about the corruption we certainly want to go on top amongst the developed nation but not in the corruption list. I want people to talk about the prosperity of my country. And I am sure this change will come one day my eyes are stuck at the horizon for the new dawn.