15 August, 2007

Happy Birthday India!

7Days letter

I found this letter to the editor in 7 Days and of course it will spark controversy but I think that the man has written a very well thought out letter with figures that do look like they were well researched and sadly, reported a situation that would take ages to resolve knowing the penchant of my fellow Indians (and I willingly share the blame) for being too heavy handed to tie the delicate shoestrings Mr. Aneja would like us to do!
Posted by Mita at 10:20 am
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29 comments:

B.D. said...

Mita, can you make the link in your post clickable by surrounding it as follows:

<a href="yourlinkhere">articletitlehere</a>

15 August, 2007 17:36
secretdubai said...

Fixed the link for you.

Yeah it's a really good letter. Sad as well.

I do know that the red tape and bureaucracy in India repels a great many businesses from setting up there. It regularly comes out as one of the worst countries in the world for that, which is a shame.

15 August, 2007 19:01
archer14 said...

Bureaucracy, poverty, dowry deaths, infanticide, casteism are all part and parcel of Indian ethos. The root to alleviating it all is establishing free education and a proper food rationing system.
Unfortunately the so-called educated class has abandoned rationale and reasoning to even figure anywhere outside their private lives. We have elected crooks to run our country - we don't give a damn about it and focus on our lives.
The tide is shifting in India's favour. It does make sense to work back home - but not until you have a responsible govt. with people who can read and write. It all begins with us.
But nope, we'll rally against a supermodel gunned down in a bar a decade back, hold candle light vigils for a schoolkid murderer cum rapist, promote films that reason violence as the only force against injustice, jail people for 6 years for owning a gun and give free parliament tickets to dudes who run a freaking liquor company.

We had a crazy president who was obsessed with space, the one before that was always against zeee Americans, I'm glad we now have one who at least talks about the empowerment of women.

There's so much we can do, provided we understand that theres more to life than looking after our family.

Karma .. does any Indian even recognise this word?

Btw, Happy independence to our own lives and our own selfish interests.

15 August, 2007 21:25
Anonymous said...

Mita,
Thoughtful post :- ) Keep it up! :- )))))
Also wishing all Indians around the world a very happy Independence Day!

15 August, 2007 23:19
B.D. said...

I have one pet peve with India--its relatively strict entry conditions. I can't count how many times I've traveled to Sri Lanka rather than India due to the hassle and expense of getting a visit visa. My guess is that thousands of potential tourists don't make it into India each year because of that. Why is it that with its amazing history and culture, Inida draws fewer international visitors than Dubai? If India opened its borders and promoted tourism as well as say Dubai or Thaliand, just think how much more foreign income the country would earn, in addition to spreading its culture.

15 August, 2007 23:27
Anonymous said...

B.D
Why is it that with its amazing history and culture, Inida draws fewer international visitors than Dubai?

With due respect to both the places you have mentioned.Perhaps India is not interested in that kind of tourists.

And too much of tourism is not very healthy for the locals when the larger picture is considered. Generally nations with scarce resouces have to go all out to lure tourists.

15 August, 2007 23:47
rosh said...

As someone who hasn't lived in India, but is of Indian lineage, I like to add onto Archer14's comment - Indians will be free, in it's truest form, if & when they learn to treat fellow Indians with dignity & self respect. And, before some of you let loose those profanities, my comment is based on personal experiences.

Happy Independence day.

15 August, 2007 23:56
rosh said...

.....guess I must add, some of the kindest & caring souls I've met are Indian.

16 August, 2007 00:06
Anonymous said...

heyyy, it was just a well wishing comment, and most of the post seemed coming from a lot of teachers of ...of what ???????imparting classes of... of what guys???? this blog it is not a contest and behind your "teachings" one can feel a racist flavour.... Iam not from India, but.....what a great country and great culture.
Happy Independence Day!!

16 August, 2007 01:41
Anonymous said...

Did visit Goa last Christmas with some friends :)

Passport control was a pain in the ass but after that it was just fun for 7 days.

Awesome experience :-)

16 August, 2007 08:14
Mita said...

BD - completely unrelated - but thank you for the tip on making a link clickable! I am surrounded by tech and did not know that. Next link will be clickable - promise!

16 August, 2007 08:41
Anonymous said...

“….relatively strict entry conditions”

Mmmm …. maybe just depending on your country of origin?

In Germany it is really easy to get an entry visa for India and they have a reputation for being an extremely welcoming, open and tolerant society in regards to those that would like to experience this rich culture and amazing heritage. (Visa procedures are fast and efficient!)

I am honestly glad that India is not opting for “that type of tourism”!!!!, but that you can enjoy an abundance of cultural and eco-tourism options (the real eco-tourism, not that disgusting Eco PR crap [or “how can I destroy the environment fast enough”] they are offering in the UAE) Numerous books and web reports of “responsible travelers” demonstrate how exciting it is to explore such a country by public transport, bike or sometimes simply on foot to enjoy, support (e.g. small local pensions), learn and protect. However the most important quest will be to interact with the local populace, to broaden our horizons just a little further and hopefully beyond racism. Something sadly not possible for tourists in the UAE, which makes them surely return with even more prejudices.

@ Anon, 01:41
If you do not like to read and cannot tolerate other opinions, why on earth are you reading these posts? Only one word:
Forum (modern version) or check it out on Wiki, so that we do not need to lecture you. On a different note, how about getting to the point and directly saying which response you did not approve of and what is your perspective on this particular point.

@ B.D. Thanks for reminding us that we shouldn’t be so lazy (at least in my particular case!) and make our posts a little more user friendly :- ) (insert embarrassed emoticon here]

Cheers … :- )

16 August, 2007 13:44
Anonymous said...

Archer
We had a crazy president who was obsessed with space,

Finally someone who did not like the Scientist President! Wow!

As for free education, food rationing, free health care! Forget it! India has embraced capitalism and in a capitalistic system only the fittest will survive. The only thing you can do for the poor is RIP when its due! As for empowerment of women, one thing will certainly emerge the Female thugs that should do for equality! Karma wonder what it has in store for us!

16 August, 2007 14:02
Anonymous said...

SevenSummits said...

Tourtist like you will be more than welcome!

And enjoy your next vist with blessings!

16 August, 2007 14:06
secretdubai said...

My guess is that thousands of potential tourists don't make it into India each year because of that.

Count me as one of them. When taking a short break, especially last minute, it is so much easier to go to another Arab country, such as Egypt or Jordan, where one can just get a visa on arrival.

For this reason I've never bothered to visit Lebanon. Why go and queue at some embassy for a visa when Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain all welcome me with open arms?

16 August, 2007 21:52
Anonymous said...

You have a valid point there SD! Actually we probably all make our spontaneous “have a break” decisions based on that aspect. All of South America works for us (Europeans) that way – just cross the border anywhere you feel like it and meet a smiling immigration official that is welcoming you with open arms. In some places they even provide a special tourist police for you, not to harass your life, but to make sure that you are unquestionably safe. (absolutely smashing extra when the only risk is coming from a few spitting llamas – remember the scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?)

I could make exactly the same point about China, a country I always wanted to explore, but never did, because of the visa difficulties. But isn’t queuing at some embassy a little exaggerated? Especially when it comes to India, you can download every form you could possibly think of (even permission for filming a documentary – ha, in most countries you would go directly to jail for that one :-() as a PDF, transfer the visa fees through your bank account and just send them your passport via mail – it will instantly come back with a fresh visa – exceptionally efficient. Even the visa form is so user friendly and short – reminds me of the torture to fill a visa application for e.g. Iran – simply mind boggling. Even better – Saudi Arabia – asking in its visa application “how is your sex?” Mmmmhhh??? and last not least – US – ok no visa, but a form on the aircraft in miniature script asking if you or any family members used to be a member of the Nazi regime and some other extremely wired questions (and that is a standard form used for everyone)! India, despite asking for a visa - is surely a little more unobtrusive!

On the other hand neither India nor China would make a good destination for a short break, since there is obviously way too much to see in both countries. :- ) So how ‘bout Singapore? No visa and the shortest “get out of the airport times” ever recorded by mankind :- )

16 August, 2007 23:39
Anonymous said...

SD

Encouraging the short-break tourist is not healthy on the security. its better safe than be sorry.There are so many other countries that are waiting to welcome such tourists. BTW how easy is it for ppl to visit the US, Europe?

17 August, 2007 07:54
Anonymous said...

SD wrote:
Count me as one of them. When taking a short break, especially last minute, it is so much easier to go to another Arab country, such as Egypt or Jordan, where one can just get a visa on arrival.

For this reason I've never bothered to visit Lebanon. Why go and queue at some embassy for a visa when Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain all welcome me with open arms?

Yea, yea, yea... maybe India does not appeal to some of the 'instant nirvana' people.

BD - I had no idea it was a problem getting a visa. Yes there are queues and longer formalities at the airport - but I have never heard anyone complain about difficulties in getting a visa.

In any case, India receives many many tourists - in fact, I have even travelled with people from other coutries. Delhi, Cochin, Goa and so many others are teeming with tourists during the peak seasons.

18 August, 2007 18:12
secretdubai said...

Encouraging the short-break tourist is not healthy on the security. its better safe than be sorry.

But that's crazy - there is a whole, lucractive market for "weekend" tourism. It's India's loss that it cannot manage to put in a simplified visa system.

How many European terrorists do you know trying to infiltrate Mumbai?

18 August, 2007 21:29
Anonymous said...

there is a whole, lucractive market for "weekend" tourism.

Spots such as? I'm game for this new trend of weekend tourism just as long as I don't have to get on a plane to get there.

But if I'm getting on a plane, then I'd prefer The Full Monty of a real break!

19 August, 2007 12:36
Admin said...

Just because it is India, Government regulations are red tape and bureaucracy?

If India is one of the worst countries in the world for having regulations to stop the country from becoming a freemarket brothel, we are proud of it.

As a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen, I am proud of living in my Indian skin

19 August, 2007 13:29
rosh said...

"If India is one of the worst countries in the world for having regulations to stop the country from becoming a freemarket brothel, we are proud of it."

WOW am speechless & breathless, on reading this blind support/faith response.

Why wouldn't you want to talk about:

-treating your fellow citizens with zero respect or
-have zero value for an Indian life
-continue to kill or abort an infant or unborn girl/fetus
-living your life to the epitome of being superstitious, inspite of being educated
-keep the country as corrupted as possible
-blind faith with movie clowns, sorry *Stars*
-for the cleanliness in your cities/villages/towns
-corruption in every medium
-brothels in B'bay and other major cities

I could go on, but wouldn't want to get personal. Nobody's perfect, so let's just do away with this false pride.

I am part Indian, and I grew up in the UAE - a country which has provided opportunities to many Indians, which India couldn't provide them with.

So try and have some perspective, and if possible transparency when you claim UAE is tourist heaven for brothels & terrorists!!

22 August, 2007 02:55
Unknown said...

I have read a few comments from secret dubai and others on Visa formalities to India.

I believe that the visa requirements are mostly mutual. That is, an entry visa would be provided at the airport or the entry point to India only to the citizens of those countries which may provide similarly working facility to Indian nationals.

That rules out practically every country.

As regards to "lucrative market for weekend tourists" - how much would India lose? A few billions? I guess that is not a problem for this country. (Not now - of course the condition in 1990-91 was different).

22 August, 2007 19:55
Anonymous said...

Nice one Rosh, fantastic examples.

Oh, by the way, aren’t those examples an embodiment of democracy?

Oops, sorry wrong question, how would you know because you were born in Utopia with a golden spoon in your mouth, yes?

I'm bad, will you ever forgive me?

22 August, 2007 20:17
Anonymous said...

Wooooh ROSH,

??????????
??????????
??????????

Now who was getting at me for being negative? :-)
LOL, but I am really depressed now!
Cheers

22 August, 2007 21:32
rosh said...

hahaha anon - reality bit you in your rear end - yes?

I wasn't born in Utopia or with a golden spoon. Oh yea, I do call a lousy spade, just that - a lousy spade.

22 August, 2007 21:37
rosh said...

Am sorry 7S - some people just get to me, and I need to get a few sentiments off my chest.

22 August, 2007 22:05
Anonymous said...

'Respectfully, things are not so terrible like you make it out to be nor like the nation where you were raised.'

Remember these words?

'Don't think anyone shall disagree UAE is perfect, but do we need this, constant under the microscope "doomsday" analysis?'

Does this sound familiar? Because that’s exactly what your constant analysis is: ‘doomsday’ of the place where your forefathers lived before moving over to Utopia. Or could be you’re ashamed of your ancestral origins that you’ve textured yourself & your views with an alternate.

22 August, 2007 22:11
rosh said...

Anon 22:11 - hey you are paying attention? Did you pay attention to this comment?

"Nobody's perfect, so let's just do away with this false pride.I am part Indian, and I grew up in the UAE - a country which has provided opportunities to many Indians, which India couldn't provide them with."

I cannot see where "doomsday" has been implied??? It's quite easy to take things out of context I suppose?

Re: ancestral origins. Look who's judging now with limited or zero facts!

22 August, 2007 22:31

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