HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TRANSFORMING INDIA This is a hard hitting question to be answered by each and every Indian worth his salt. I was just thinking whether I have contributed enough to the progress of this great nation during my last 25 years of my professional career. Except for few donations for some charitable causes here and there, which includes for victims of Tsunami tragedy. I must admit that I have done precious little to transform my fatherland. (tribute to my dad who passed away in 1996 ). I firmly believe that Tourism being the worlds biggest industry, we as Indians have got a miniscule contribution of the benefits. How are we going to unleash the tourist potential is a big rider to all the planners. Tourists are easily attracted towards the TAJ, KHAJURAHO, RED FORT, DAL LAKE, KOVALAM, CALANGUTE, HAMPI, MYSORE PALACE, AJANTA, ELLORA, etc which are very popular and some of them have attained the world heritage status too. This adds up to the migration of populace towards these destinations leaving other destinations in India go unnoticed. What about the relatively unknown destinations such as Aihole, Badami, Chitradurga Fort ( Kalline Kote), Gol Gomuz, Rouza Mosque, Alampur, Sirsailam, Yaganti, Ketavaram cave paintings, Bekal Fort, St Angelo Fort, St Francis Church, Srirangam temple, Padmanabpuram Palace, Vivekananda Ashram, Vattakotai & St. Marys Isle. The only major requirement from the govt. side is to have proper road access to all the tourist destinations in India, however small the town or village maybe. The consciousness among locals that tourists whether domestic or foreigners are going to be their source of income in the long run. The natives should be able to preserve a temple, mosque, palace, fort, or any of the historical remains maybe even a grave belonging to great leaders. Instead of using the bricks and stones for constructing their own houses and thereby destroying the edifice of heritage. In my earnest quest to visit unheralded destinations in around S. India and eventually the entire country. I slowly discovered a rich heritage of culture and history. I undertook some research with the help of books, internet search and story dished out by guides and local population, I started penning down my travelogue on blogspot. The link is www.indiabackpacker.blogspot.com I don t know how the future generation is going to view this contribution of mine but my conviction is firm that Indian heritage reaches out far beyond the golden tourist triangle. The concept backpacking absolutely translates into budget traveling and discovering newer destinations on a shoe string budget. The famous tourist destination is virtually for the elite class of tourists, who may not really percolate their spending among the local populace. It is the backpacker who will end up spending on local restaurant, buying some momentous, spending on local guides, tipping the friendly auto guys, conductors, or even the children. Local Shopkeepers too will definitely find demand for good mineral water, branded biscuits, fruits, soft drinks, tetra juice packs apart from cigarettes and chilled beer which may be luxurious vice. An opportunity to taste the local cuisine is always a temptation for a domestic traveler. One would look forward to it, and travel miles to relish it. Backpacking is a concept which enables one to discover real destination, without the package version of mass tourism. It is the perception that holidaying should result in value addition that one carries the vision of real India mingling with commoners and having a peep into their lifestyle. I am sure India will be perceived more than a country of snake charmers but with potential to launch satellite and voyage to the Moon. I am confident that my humble contribution will make a difference to unknown tourist circuits in India. With a little guidance and sponsorship for an expensive and time consuming endeavor I will be able to provide a complete package for backpackers, be it foreigners or domestic tourists.

• published: 07 Feb 2009
• views: 4422