If the streets of the most popular democracy – USA – are said to be paved with gold, the configuration of the most populated democracy of the world – India – offers a unique opportunity for a traveler to this part of the world to evolve into a truly spiritual soul. Any globe-trotter who is a keen learner can pick up valuable lessons in India – spiritual as well as managerial.
One thing that baffles the Western mind is the wide range of Hindu Gods that most Indians venerate. Going a little deeper, however, he realizes that there are Gods with specializations in resolving problems of a particular kind; that there is a near perfect division of work between the various Godheads. Eventually, the value of remaining focused and getting problems resolved through a higher level of intervention dawns upon the traveler. This also gives him a precious clue as to how Indians cope up with the chaos all around them in almost all spheres of their lives.
Repeated visits to the local immigration department soon make him learn the value of patience, forbearance and equanimity – to not to get unduly perturbed over inordinate delays in getting things done. The long winding lines for any public facility offer an opportunity to learn the need to surrender to the Divine Will – things will happen only when they are destined to be!
The value of having unwavering faith is learnt by witnessing the absolute lack of either civic sense or discipline in public areas. Frequent power cuts soon motivate the weary traveler to remain in tune with Mother Nature, synchronizing his body clock with that of the solar system.
On days of local festivities, loudspeakers blaring during the dead of the night make the traveler learn the value of pro-active and aggressive communication, a talent without which any promotional campaign in the media would turn out to be a big flop.
The great Indian family system leads the visitor to understand and learn the true value of bonding. Those who are fond of wines and liquors soon realize the value of practicing zero tolerance to wastage, especially when they see their Indian hosts not resting till the last drop in a bottle has been used up.
All travelers are wonder struck when they see a puffed up chapatti. Also, they learn inventory management and multi-tasking by merely watching Indian housewives in action! There is seldom a stock out in the kitchens. With unconditional love and devotion to their husband and children, they offer the tourist an insight into practicing saintliness in their daily chores.
The Indian shopkeepers, the auto drivers and the traveling public are great educationists in their own right. The traveler is quickly made to learn some basic lessons in attentiveness and patience. If the traveler decides to instead go around the city on a self driven two-wheeler, he learns to manage uncertainty – by dodging the odd cyclist who crosses his path in a single-minded pursuit of attaining eternal bliss, by avoiding a polyethylene wrapper which comes out of the window of a car just upfront, or by giving way to a spittle from an uncaring passenger in the window seat of the bus ahead!
The Indian pedestrians who cross the road without looking at traffic heading their way demonstrate to the traveler their abiding faith in the Divine and the trust they repose in the vehicle driver’s skills. Not to be left behind, the Indian drivers keep overtaking vehicles from the wrong side, teaching the value of humility and empathy. Long distance bus and truck drivers who nimbly maneuver their overloaded vehicles on our not so broad highways demonstrate the value of sincerity of purpose.
The Indian four-legged animals teach the wayfarer the value of forbearance and equal opportunity for all. Despite suffering ill-treatment daily in silence, they thrive on chewing whatever comes their way. These animals do not have any franchisee rights under our Constitution; nevertheless, they practice democracy, by demonstrating their equal rights on the Indian highways and roads.
A globe-trotter will surely not get a free lunch in India. However, he does get all this learning, absolutely free of charge!
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This is so wonderfully accurate! And so thoughtful, too. I have experienced a lot of this already and am really excited to experience the rest 🙂
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Thank you. Enjoy!
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