Comment Pieces

Atithi Devo Bhava- Take II

Posted on October 04, 2013

“I wasn't asked openly to pay a bribe, but many times, indirectly and also through all these funny things they were asking us to bring, I got to know, that if I don't pay, I won't receive my visa extension.”

The best place to test the veracity of this much revered saying is at Indian airports. Well, since we all do know that the essence of this saying fails to transcend the words, whether it is at an airport or elsewhere, here is the story of a Polish woman who was made to run from pillar to post to get her X Visa extended.

This is the rather dismal picture that our oh-so-welcoming officials paint-

We are a land of the corrupt (Well with such awfully honest people serving us, who can contest that statement)

Respect and adulation is deserved by only certain guests (Those who walk around with pockets bulging. Who also happen to bring with them the other ‘guest’ these officials are so keen on harbouring, in their own pockets)

We all know whom to blame if the influx of tourists or expats begins to plummet.