In a globalised and digitised world, where tribals own Facebook accounts and resorts offer 'autherntic' village experience, how do you 'discover' a place where there might be nothing to be discovered?
There is a scene in the book The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri in which the protagonist’s father, Ashoke, is sitting reading a book in a train compartment. The annoying man next to him starts a long spiel about all the places he’s been to. So Ashoke, absorbed in his book, says: “My grandfather always says that’s what books are for. To travel without moving an inch.” That was true of an age, when you imagined faraway places through descriptions in books and movies. Those days, travel probably was an indulgence rather than the imperative that it has become today. I remember, in my parents’ time, travelling for leisure was a novelty. The first time they went to the US, more than 20 years ago, preparations went on for months altogether. Upon their return, presents were distributed to every member of the extended family.
Today, when there is Airbnb and budget hotels, very few travellers stay with relatives. No one bothers with bringing back presents for the entire family as everything you get abroad is probably available at your local department store. Travel has undergone a sea-change. It is no longer the luxury that it once was. Airhostesses are no longer the exotic creatures they once were and no one really opens the foil on their plane meals like they’re seeing food for the first time in their lives. When I’d gone to Australia more than 15 years ago, I was asked whether I rode to school on an elephant. You’d have to be incredibly dumb to ask that question today.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 12, 2017-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 12, 2017-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state