Tourism is not inconsequential. It is a priority. It is a bridge that connects us to the world whether it is in the realm of politics, business, art and culture.Our culture, in its widest definition, is what the world is drawn to. It is what makes India special. To relegate our only real strength to some unimportant level just proves how unthinking and uninformed the policy makers and implementers are.

And the underlined words immediately reminded me of a “tourist visit” I made to a park in Orange County, California. After visiting the more alluring attractions–Disneyworld, Waterworld (San Diego), and Las Vegas gambling centres–we were scouting for more visit-worthy places. A web search revealed a blurb which read, “one of the best national parks you can find in Orange County” or something on those lines. Attractive pictures, on the (online) brochure enticed us and so we took off. Only to be disappointed. The only “best” feature about the place was it was well-maintained, and clean. Our own Lal Bagh beats it hands down any day. Yet, look at the way Lal Bagh is maintained. It might have improved recently but it still is a far cry when you compare it with that nondescript park in Orange County.

Tourism as this writer says is neglected for obvious reasons. Political bosses have no clue what our “world heritage sites” (there are 16 in India) represent. Have you ever spoken to the local tourist guides while on a visit to one of these sites? More on this in a separate entry.

While this writer fumes over everything that is wrong with the tourism industry in particular and with the Indian bureaucracy in general, the head honcho (honchress?) of the tourism ministry, Renuka Chowdury’s ego is bruised in a battle over Black Label Scotch Whisky. The leaders of the warring camps include herself on one end and her (former) secretary, Uma Pillai.

And the Gore Babus who visit our famed archeological and sculputural marvels continue to close their nostrils.