Bangkok, Thailand. Tuesday, 22nd May 2012
In a short while we will set off for Swarnabhoomi International airport, for the return flight to Mumbai. Jotting down random thoughts that come to mind after spending five days here...
I'm happy Urmila suggested that we go abroad this summer, rather than to some oft-visited place in India or not go at all. She visited a developed country for the first time; and it was a welcome change for me too. For her, this trip was an eye opener. For the first time, she agreed with me that India is lagging behind.
It is a wonder that a country about the size of Maharashtra and whose currency was at par with the rupee in the not-too-distant past, has developed so much, with systems in place! Or is it really a wonder? On second thoughts, it is not. It is the result of efforts, both by the Government and the populace, notwithstanding its many problems. It has managed to project itself as one of the most popular destinations of SEA. People may frown on its showcasing itself as a destination for sex tourism, but in reality the country has cleverly used its assets by legalising prostitution - which, if viewed without a jaundiced eye and without the garb of morality, is just another profession in the world; the oldest profession, in fact! If we can accept Draupadi from our so called great epic Mahabharata, as a paragon of virtues in spite of her being shared by five husbands; and Karna who in today's parlance would be labelled a bastard; why do we look down upon Thailand making capital of the oldest profession in the world?
The city of Bangkok is a wonderful, modern city with infrastructure to match. If they have succeeded in attracting tourist money, they have also provided the necessary amenities to make their city 'user-friendly'. There are plenty of hotels to suit all budget, the food spectrum stretches broadly from the humble street food to luxury dining, the local transport comprises the sky train, the underground, the city taxi, the city bus and the tuk-tuk, not to forget the motorcycle taxi. The city taxi is primarily a colourful Toyota in excellent condition, driven by a polite driver who charges you by the meter. He even asks you your preferred route and advises you about additional charges like toll fees, beforehand. The sky train is wonderfully managed, with clean stations bearing precise directions; and ticket vending machines with clear instructions. The road traffic can be very thick during peak hours, traffic jams are not uncommon, yet not a horn is blown! A pedestrian at a zebra crossing always has the right of way.
Shopping complexes are massive yet spic-n-span. As many of them are close to the sky train track; flanking it on either side; there is a direct approach from the station into them. Escalators in smooth working condition take you up and down; clear signboards and signposts ensure that you never lose your way.
It is a pleasure stepping out of a shopping centre or an ice-cream parlour onto the sidewalk and walking without worrying about stumbling over a loose stone or stepping into beetle-nut stained spittle or dog shit. The city has a very active night life and generates a lot of waste and garbage. However, when you step out of your hotel early morning, the streets are absolutely clean and you find all garbage neatly covered and kept at one place on the street, ready for the garbage truck.
How does the city manage to run so efficiently? An alert administration? Perhaps! Laws? Perhaps! Fear of punishment? Perhaps. Perhaps a combination of all these. However, one major factor is the attitude of the citizens. It speaks volumes for the city - attitude is something that can be taught only once, in one's childhood by one's parents; later it has to come and keep coming from within. Indians love to SHOW attitude; one sees it everywhere on a day-to-day basis. It is the single most important factor for the dreadful mess that we see around us. We love to be indisciplined, take pride in breaking rules, misbehave and continue to delude ourselves that we are on way to becoming a superpower! It is only when we travel to a developed country that we realise where we are. It is high time we bring ourselves out of this illusion. The future of India is in the hands of its youngsters. Wake up, generation X; before it becomes too late even for you!
