Travelogue

Initially I thought of posting one blog every month, but then after being consistent for 3 months I found it difficult to set the pace due to unavoidable commitments. The primary reason for skipping my blog last month was because of travelling and therefore I thought it would be nice to share some of my experiences in this area.

I am not an extensive traveller or as a matter of fact travelled to a range of destinations like many can claim. But my travels to the places I have visited or been sometimes proved to be an eye opener and from such experiences I have benefitted a lot. I strongly recommend that one must travel to identify the differences, apply the best practice, make comparison and change accordingly. Ever wondered why the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Sinagpore are the best places to visit. Ok, Amsterdam might be famous for something else, but only a small percentage goes in for that. Unarguably I can say that my visits to Amsterdam and Singapore were the best and continue to be so. While both of them stay apart in their class, there is something very important to take from it. Starting with Amsterdam or Netherlands, the place is the best for the ultimate relaxation. Many talk about carbon footprint and pollution, but these people here really implement those ideas. I felt ashamed of myself when I saw men and women in their elegant suits riding a bycycle to the nearest station to catch their train for work. I am sure most of these people can afford to have their personal means of luxury transport, but working along with the government to keep their country clean. People are really friendly and they treat you as one among themselves. They are very open when it comes to helping you and even if they do not English, they try their best to communicate via body languages.

Singapore stands in a different class off it own through its tourism friendly nature. I was surprised by the fact that all citizens of Singapore have exactly the same frame of mind when it comes to customer service or more appropriately tourist service. They have long identified that their daily bread and surivial lies in the hands of the visiting tourists. It is really amazing to see the extent to which they go to deliver that extra bit. Though a concrete jungle in the making, they have tried their best to keep it green wherever they can and they try very hard it hard to maintain the attractions that their famous for. It is highly recommended that Singapore should be once visited in a lifetime. The story is entirely different if you sit in boat for a hour and cross waters to the neighbouring country "Malaysia". Malaysia, a rich country blessed with natural beauty and resources lacks that punch when it comes to service. Though it must be appreciated that for a visitor it is less expensive place, you cannot feel any warmth in reception. If I were a manager to rate an employee called Malaysia, I would put it on the "meets target" performace.

I would always rate a policeman in UK the very best and well behaved whereas in some countries they are feared more than the criminals and goons. Majority of them address you as 'sir' while in conversation with you and they maintain such presence that is very approachable. Also the levels of customer service is very high and you can be sure that you will be detailed on each an every point including the aspect of your own safety. Another important aspect what you notice here is transportion system and how it is carried out. The age old transportation system sets an example or role model on how effective it can be made used to the public.

If you ask me which is the most beautiful place on earth, from pictures I would say Kashmir, but in reality it is Scotland. Extremely cold place but the natural beauty is awe inspiring and it will atleast once flash your mind that the only heaven in the world be this place. The Scots are extremely proud of themselves and believe they are atleast two step above the English. They are pride in their history, culture, traditions and reach any extent in preserving them. Once you visit Scotland, you will know why that is the best place to produce the finest Scotch whiskies. Travelling along mainland Europe some countries especially France and Germany, their pride rests with their languages spoken. I had bitter experiences where they replied back to me in their own language when I talked in English. Later I found that, even if majority of people know English they do not like talking in it and they proudly speak their native tongue. Earlier this was only applied to visitors from neighbouring countries but now they are on a global approach. No wonder it was advised to me before I visited these places that I should learn the very basics to survive as still there are a large majority who don’t speak English especially in the outskirts.

From Europe as I moved to far east in the land of rising Sun, I learned the importance of mutual respect. You do not just alone respect people above you, but everyone you know and everyone you do not know. Japan as a country teaches so much about patience, respect, calmness and service oriented midset. I think this is why the products that come of out this country is loved equally by all as it produces it with customer in focus. The moment you set foot in this country you can witness a wave of change that you never felt anywhere else. You get the kind of respect you never received anywhere in the world and all of a sudden you feel important. Language is a big problem and English is made to bits and pieces for convenience. If you are not an ardrent seafood lover, then you are in big big trouble.

Though I have travelled other places as well I have only highlighted some of the above because I felt it is the mindset of the people that set these countries apart. For a country to progress or get moulded into a developed one, the mindset of the people that live in must be directed to it. For example, if Singapore wasn't that tourist friendly, I do not think people would visit there or recommend someone to visit there. Scottish mindset for preserving their rich heritage is what sets them apart from the English or other countries. Japan's mindset of focusing people makes it produce the finest products in the world. Each country have something to teach us and probably this is when someone said "learn from experiences".

Travelling through the length and breadth of India, I felt sad that I never met even a single Indian, but I met a lot of people who were Marathis, Gujarathis, Bengalis, Tamilians, Punjabis, Malayalees etc etc. One may say we are Unity in Diversity, but I couldn't sense that. We have states were people from other states are not welcomed, we have states where waters of rivers are not shared, we have states where people are fighting to spilt it, we have states where the national flag is not hoisted on a republic day. I do not want to point at only negatives, but projecting a rosy picture does not help us to reach the progressive path. First we need to indentify ourselves as one, work as one and then live as one. Nation should be give priority and patriotism should run through the blood. Changes do not happen in an instant therefore work should be done at a grass root level starting with our kids and their education. If measures are done now, we may see changes happening in atleast 20 years time, else God save us...