India Shining !

I had my apprehensions and pretty strong ones as well. Holland is not as strongly inhabited by non resident Indians as the case may be for some other European countries like say U.K. and France. So are there signs of that vivid Indian touch i.e. the Indian brotherhoods and curry cafes which have grown to embellish U.K. and U.S. in a big way. With the hugely international nature of the University, what bells did India ring in the 'multinational hearts'. What with the worsening hue and cry over outsourcing and hike in Visa Fees in States and U.K., has there been a spillover of the same to continental Europe. Do they find the name 'India' distasteful and does it creates images of people from third world who are high on industriousness but low on sophistication.

I looked for answers to the above questions. And when i found them, to say that i was relieved would be a gross understatement. I was pleasantly delighted !

My first experience, though a little unrelated, was in the flight from Delhi to Istanbul. I was sitting next to an Italian who was just coming back from a spiritual visit to the Gangetic Plains. Understandably he spoke with such enthusiasm about India and how it has shaped the way he has started to live in the recent past. He invited me to a visit to the Ferrari Museum near Milan where he was maître d’ .

The one encounter which helped a great deal to put those apprehensions aside was with the girl who came to pick us up at the Amsterdam Centraal Station. When i told her that i was from India, she remarked instantaneously with a very likeable positive energy and beaming face, 'Oh India ! Its wonderful to have you here'. Moving on to the reservation office, i was again to be astounded. The clerk who had a distinctive Asian feel, said after stamping on my eurail pass, 'Bhai Jee, ye to ho gaya, maje kariye'. I developed an instant liking to the place.

After reaching the main guesthouse, I juggled with the near impossible task of towing my 4 oversized bags through the lift to the second floor. And to compound the matters were the security enhancements of the guesthouse which required multiple openings of the locks. And i was aided by a very charming American girl who came rushing across the corridor to first hold the door for me and then helped me with two of the bags. When she came to know that i am from India, she instantly asked which part of the country i am from and said she is so very interested in going to Rajasthan and New Delhi. Moreover her roommate back at the campus was also an Indian.

The latest but one of the most profound experience i had during my trip to the Belgian countryside in a desperate search of a bicycle. There i met a middle-aged Dutch lady who was also visiting the small town. She started by remarking that i reminded him of his Indian friends and went on to add about his multiple trips to the country wherein she explored the length and breadth of the country with special mentions of Kerala and Kashi. She was in love with the place and was a planning another visit to the country which according to her was like none other , both diverse and soulful.

The most unexpected one i had last night during final welcome party for the exchange students. I was standing by the dance floor helping myself to a beer and gently swinging with the music. Out of the blue, a guy standing next to me remarks, ' Don't tell me dude, that you are from India'. He turned out to be a Greek guy named Osteritus ( thats what i heard or i assume i heard in the inebriated state..). Apparently Osteritus had been in Punjab for the past year on a medical care internship in various clinics. He continually said the same thing, 'I love India' . Dunno if it was the liquor talking, nonetheless he recollected images of his stay and the incredible pace of Delhi, how he traversed the dusty roads of Panjab and drank lassi.

The one experience closer to home is of the South Korean girl living in the other room of our apartment. On a dinner of wine and lamb steak which one of my partner's friend painstakingly prepared, she talked of her stay in Delhi , Uttaranchal and Himachal. She remembered some phrases which she used to haggle her way out of the autorickshaw-wallahs in Delhi- "baiyyan, mahengaaa haiiii, thoadaa kaam karo". We were amused listening to them coming out of her mouth with her slightly anglicized accent. She also fondly remembered the naturally brewed wine in the mountains which she developed a great taste for.

All of these experiences have made me realize that India does not spark an image of a third world country which sends cheap and skilled manpower to steal jobs or a neighboring state of terror torn Pakistan. Its much more than this. Its high achievers are held in high esteem for their proficiency in technology and business. Its workers are commended for their long hours.

In all, its not just a dot on the horizon but a state which people has grown to admire for its diverse and strong cultural roots and learned to respect for its philosophy of spiritualism and simplicity.

I feel now that i could fit seamlessly within this society with a bubbling pride and resonant optimism !