perceptions

We have a huge number of foreigners of various origins swarming into India, be it for tourism, work, transit etc. They come with various mindsets and some with a deep study about what to expect when then land at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Terminal, Mumbai.The biggest shocker is of course the 1.2 billion population and counting.You see more heads bobbing on the streets near the runway than the airstrip.

The doors of the aircraft open and you walk out into humid conditions with perhaps the smell of the soil of India.Welcome to the land of opportunities.Catch the transit coach and enter the arrival lounge to complete formalities and land at the baggage conveyors.The penguins( custom officials in white uniform)all over the place with a roving eye doing the duty as is in other parts of the world.Once through you are on the streets of Mumbai, the cabs and trying to avoid the decibels of various languages, horns etc that may sound like heavy metal.Those who come a land of Rock and roll must get familiar with this during their stay here.

This is just a trailor of a movie that has lots to show and experience.

But the visitors who I welcome with open arms with a request not to underestimate India inspite of all its shortcomings.Its a place to be experienced and then spoken about.Passing judgements , sitting in the ivory towers , thousands of miles away,far from ground zero is definitely not the right thing to do.We have elephants with mahouts as well as missiles and warships with latest technologies.We have a tradition that is older than many nations who didn't exist at that time.We have Indians who have contributed to the economy of other developed nations."When in Rome , do as the Romans do'"thus goes the saying.The same applies to India.When in India be an INDIAN.Don't just get surprised by what you see , feel, eat but be amazed!!The unity in diversity of the worlds largest democracy is unbelievable.One can GO all over the world and come back here to live and absorb the highs and lows this country has to offer .Yes, we need to learn a lot from others and will do so some point of time.But, remember, Changing the mind of a billion plus people in a democratic format is not easy.Try ruling India even for a day ,and one would know.Inspite of billions stashed away overseas in black money, India still has enough to withstand any crisis that otherwise would make any stock exchange do a Yo -Yo.

Those who detested India, are queuing up to invest and make money here.Times change and so do the people. India is rocking and will continue to do so.Come join the rockband and have fun.This is the place to be.Open up the windows of your close minds and experience the bungee jump into the place called I N D I A.