Recently, a visitor from United Kingdom told me how offended he was when he visited several places of attraction in India. Outside every monument, museum or gallery, he found this sign: “Entry fee for Indians - Rs. x; Entry fee for foreigners - Rs. 5x” (where x stands for an amount). For instance, in Mamallapuram World Heritage Site, Indians have to pay Rs. 10 as entry fee. “Foreigners” are to pay Rs. 250. In Taj Mahal, it is Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 700 for “foreign” guests.

“Why am I told that I am a foreigner? Why am I made to feel that way? Am I not your guest, a visitor to your country? In the United Kingdom, we never talk of visitors as “foreigners,” says my friend. “If that were not enough, we are charged five times the amount levied from Indian citizens. This is unjust and an instant put-off. In our country, we do not charge different entry fees based on nationality. Why should a person’s affluence decide what entry fee he should pay to visit a monument? Even if the rich should pay more, why are rich Indians exempt from this requirement. There are many Indians who are affluent. Worse still, there are NRIs who visit tourist spots. They do not pay ‘foreign’ rates even when they hold ‘foreign’ passports.”

These are legitimate points raised by a visitor to India. He married an Indian woman. Whenever he has to book a hotel room, he lets his wife do the booking. That’s how he gets lower rates. When he and his family turn up at the hotel, the hotel staff are stunned because they lost an opportunity to charge a higher tariff.

If government agencies should charge a higher fee from those who can afford to pay, then they must make affluent Indians and NRI pay a higher entry fee or fare just as they force “foreigners” to shell out more. Fee or fare must not be based on nationality.

Once an American visiting the Taj Mahal opted not to go inside it when he was asked to pay 20 dollars for the entry. I was bewildered by his act and couldn’t believe that an American would be bothered about 20 dollars. I wanted to encourage him to pay the amount and enjoy the architecture. He listened to me and to surprise he said, “I can spend 20 dollars, that is no big deal. The discrimination you show is terrible. I don’t want to promote it”. I was stunned and could not say a word in reply. I cannot forget the comment an Indian made on the spot. “Inhonein hamein bandook ke bal par loota hai ;ab hum inhein tarike se lootein”. (They [foreigners] robbed us earlier at gun point; now let us rob them cunningly). Adithi Devo Bhawa!

The government spends lakhs of rupees on advertisements in order to make the public aware of touts and to teach us how to treat our guests with king-size hospitality. On the other hand, they themselves insult the guests by categorising them on the basis of nationality in the matter of entry fees. What a clever way to earn money! Can we expect a change in this strange policy?

Thanks to the competition in the civil aviation sector, there are a number of airlines and fares to choose from . Otherwise visitors to India from other nations would have had to pay much more than Indian travellers for their air tickets.

Chief Minister Shiela Dixit is now determined to make Delhi clean. I believe the Delhi railway station also comes under what is known as ‘Delhi.’ I had to catch a train from Delhi railway station to Varanasi recently. I thought it was my mistake to arrive 30 minutes before the departure of the train. Though there is a sign in train toilets which say, ‘Do not use the lavatory while train is at a station’, the tracks were filled with human refuse and the authorities turn a blind eye to this menace. I don’t think any ‘foreigner’ would think of visiting India a seoond time if he gets to spend 10 minutes in our dirty railway stations. As the movie “Outsourced” put it humourously, to most visitors from abroad, “INDIA” stands for “I’ll Never Do It Again!”

Garbage heaps on the roadsides of ‘Janta’ flats are a common scene in Delhi though you cannot see that in the posh colonies. The transfer of garbage in open trucks during the peak hours of morning to recycling centres in Delhi suburbs raises a stench! This is another nightmare for road users. It seems like the MCD deliberately leaves garbage unattended to rot to gift a stench to Delhiites.

Is our Chief Minister aware of these unseemly affairs in her state? “Is it really a programme to clean Delhi or is it merely a dream to create a clean image for her government?”

It will be a good idea if our Chief Minister will visit every nook and corner of Delhi to take a good look at the city through the eyes of visitors who will turn up for next year’s Common Wealth Games. Are there enough urinals and public toilets in the city? Are there sufficient number of garbage bins in the city? Is the mosquito or rodent menace under control? Are there maps or signboards that give details about buses at bus stops? Are there sufficient number of destination boards and traffic signs along our roads? Do policemen and auto rickshaw drivers know enough English to converse politely with our guests in need? Are there rate cards in English in taxis and auto rickshaws? At airports, railways stations and bus stations the Delhi government could put up special sign boards in English and French (and even Arabic). Are our hospitals and emergency medicine halls clean and well equipped to deal with emergency situations? Do we have enough ambulances? (In case of an emergency during peak traffic hours, will air ambulances be available?) Are our restaurants clean and hygienic? Both the state government in Delhi and the Union Government will have to do a lot of leg work to get its act together before the Common Wealth Games.