‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, Do We Really Know What that Means?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 | Celebrities, Children, Democracy, Education, India, Indian society, Travel with No Comments »

Incredible India

I like the man called Aamir Khan. Don’t worry this post will not be a documentation on the actor. It’s just that he has an uncanny knack of knowing how to make a difference to India (maybe Aamir feels that he should concentrate on his motherland first and take on the world later). First, it was ‘Rang De Basanti’ that gave the Indian Youth a whole new perspective. Spoke to them out loud about their responsibilities towards their nation. Then came, ‘Taare Zameen Par’, which was full of childhood and innocence begging the society to preserve both in the young ‘uns. And now, Aamir has come forth to add value to the age old Indian belief ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (our guest is like God to us).

Signing up as the brand ambassador for Incredible India’s Atithi Devo Bhava campaign, Aamir will now been seen grooming tourist guides and taxi drivers. He shall be conducting training sessions on personal grooming and appropriate behaviour. That’s something we really needed to look into. It amazes me how Aamir is able to reach out to help in such incredible ways. C’mon what have tourists always meant to Indians? Purses of money? Cattle to be misguided? When was the last time a taxi driver actually showed respect to a foreigner? He is more like to shear him/her of all the money he /she possess or should I say of his/her modesty. And when was the last time, we gave correct directions to a tourist or passerby? Yes, these are simple questions with tough answers.

I have been living in Tokyo for the past three months and never once, have I come across a rude person (despite the language barrier) who is not willing to help me find my way. Believe it or not, but here a policeman actually takes out a map and helps you find your destination. Cops here aren’t hooligans that we try to avoid at every instance in India. They are here to help…US!!! I’m glad that at least one famous person in India has decided to change things around and not just sit pretty on the heap of money he has made. Wish you luck Aamir.

Via ibnliveÂ

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