Essays

India is a beautiful country. A life-time would be short to view all the beautiful sights that this country has to offer. Families go for holiday or young people freak outto enjoy themselves. People going out to various places spend a lot of money, buying souvenirs, eating at restaurants or shopping for gifts for friends and relatives, This whole process of buying or selling the things has given birth to an entire industry—the tourism industry. The tourism industry can be a good source of earning revenue. If a person is selling something that is attractive looking, it is very obvious that he can put any price tag on it. Someone or the other will definitely buy it- May be it is not too durable but if it has been attractively packaged, it will be sold in minutes.

India is a country rich in diversity. The majestic Himalayas, the sparkling ocean, the dry deserts, the dancing rivers, the enticing lagoons or the magical backwaters, all appeal to nature lovers. People come from far off countries to new and beautiful visions of glory of nature. Adventure tourism is on rise as many prefer a more exciting holiday, while water rafting, para gliding, bungee jumping, trekking appedl to those who want a holiday full of activity. There are uncountable fortresses and palaces in India which are also worth visiting. But the major bulk of the tourists, Indians as well as foreigners, go to various temples situated near and far, in the mountains and in the sea. in the plains and in the deserts, temples new and ancient—all are worthy of people's respects as India on the whole, is a very religious minded country.

The tourism industry, on the other hand. is very disorganized. The rates of various tour packages differ from agent to agent and at times one reaches the hotel to find that the luxuries mentioned in the brochure are non-existent- Reservations get cancelled without notice, luggage goes on missing. The country has to realize that the industry is a good source of earning foreign exchange. Effective regulations can give a new lease of life to this industry.

Things are changing however and all is not dark and gloomy. With appropriate checks and measures more and more people are coming to India as tourists and many Indians. Gujarat is especially have taken keen interest in viewing the sights of this beautiful country. With the rise of terrorism in the South East Asian countries, the earthquakes and the Tsunami, many foreigners are turning to India, for it is d safe haven for holiday lovers.

Various states are promoting themselves as true holiday destinations. As more and more Indians become interested in spending holiday touring, instead of visiting relatives, the industry is set to grow manifold.

May be I will also go on a tour, during this summer holidays. But where to go, a vast range of available choices is making things difficult for me. Should I go to the north, to trek the majestic Himalayas, or to the south to surf on the beaches, or to the deserts of the north-central India to watch the beautiful sun setting over the deserts? I think I will go paragliding or may be white water rafting, that ought to shake me up a bit and bring new life to my creaking bones- After that, I wonder how many of my bones will be left that aren't broken. It could be that I'll forget all my aches and pains. The idea seems more and more appealing. But let's get a couple of friends first, someone should be there to inform my family that I had a heart attack at the first hairpin bend at the rapids while flying in the sky.