India means different things to different people. From messy to mesmerising, from intimidating to inspirational from chaos to colonial, India is all this and more. India is probably on the travel list of the most discerning travellers – from the rich and famous to the back packer, each one hoping to touch and tread on its soil and take home a part of India. I have always firmly believed that India needs to be experienced with an open mind devoid of any bias. Preconceived notions, some unwarranted and irresponsible travel advisories have proved to be dampeners especially for inbound tourism, hence it is important for each one connected to the tourism chain to act and work responsibly to give India its tourism masterpiece status that it well deserves. Only then can India be truly liberated.
This can happen only if the frontline is trained well enough to receive and respect the tourist who is India’s most powerful brand ambassador. No doubt, efforts have been floated to train and educate the tourism service providers, but the time has come to strengthen and strongly practice these programmes, making them accountable and result oriented. Grassroots mobilisation does work wonders and bottom-up approach does convert into results. The 2014 Budget though termed as directional in approach has done wonders for the morale of the tourism sector. Though announcements are yet to be cemented and activated, it has surely brought in a new wave of enthusiasm in the industry. No doubt, infrastructure stimulation is the need of the hour but it has to be coupled with the crucial human touch in tourism. The hardware without the software is not desirable. It’s interesting to note that tourism and travel associations are waking up to the importance of training and education, with both TAAI and IATO announcing their plans to work on educational workshops.
Our cover story this issue, brings to the fore some unique colonial heritage monuments that have proudly stood the test of time, have been admired and recognised by international tourists. Though many of these structures are in urgent need of upkeep and maintenance, they are still worth a ‘dekho’. This Independence Day do explore some of these masterworks that can leave you spellbound.
Reema Lokesh
Editor
