Belgium to the Land of “Chalta Hai”

Aboard an international flight but brewed locally in my motherland words “Welcome to India” were bugled out loud.

The touch screen panel of the passenger entertainment monitor would respond only at it's own discretion. And if you report to the cabin crew the response is the “chalta hai” attitude.

Please do not be surprised if you see a couple of the cabin crew trying to profess team camaraderie by some physical proximity during conversation in the flight.

At the Mumbai International Airport the customs junior field officer/steward notices a duty free bottle of champagne in your hands and that’s indication clear enough for him to extend a helping hand that if there is something difficult that needs to be cleared through the customs it can be managed "Saheb bolne ka”.

During the security check to board the domestic flight to India you must not be surprised when the CRPF officer chuckles at a number of European coins in your wallet and asks questions no way related to the safety of air travel and terrorism check.

You know you are in Delhi when despite paying for the rides of your kids you are made to feel it is a charity done by the ride owners who would not be even decent enough to know how to speak to customers.

You are in the capital of India when the travel agent asks you to accommodate another person without a valid ticket in the same seat just because he could not manage to get his ticket confirmed. The train here is of course the elite Rajdhani Express.

You are in the elite train of India when there is food being packed just outside the lavatory and there are cockroaches and rats popping up from every corner to do a security check on your luggage.

It is India when public hygiene comes much later after personal hygiene.

   Welcome to “Chalta hai” and “Thoda adjust kar lo yaar”.