1.Never Back Down- One of my Uncle is in Indian Navy, he was once narrating his travel experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He told that they don't look like a victim of Nuclear attack but a visionary for the future. If you happen to go there, visit the museum which has the glimpse of it's tragic past. My Uncle admitted that he broke down in the Museum on seeing the hardship that Japan went through and their comeback is phenomenal. Japanese are truly hardworking.
2. We need to improve our system- Once my Uncle went to a bank in North Korea. They gave a token to him and asked him to take a seat. Later, he was given a royal treatment. He has struggled to get works done in Banks or government offices in India. The royal treatment, systematic procedures were alien to him.
Before you curse bankers, let me tell you that my Dad is a banker. I have been to few of his offices, I found that their job is really tough as they often don't have the resources to manage or provide a better service to it's customers. The customer in me also face difficulties at Banks but as I know their side of the story so I am compassionate about them.
3. Cleanliness is an attitude- While my Uncle was in Japan, once he noticed that someone stopped his car, got down, picked the garbage on the road and put it in a dustbin. He was surprised to see all this. His colleague, a Japanese, explained that they do this kind of thing often as it's our country and we have to keep it clean.
4. Always walk the extra mile to make someone else's experience amazing- I went to Singapore in 2011 before joining the construction industry. It was heart-warming to see that the procedures followed in Singapore is such that construction activities causes minimum nuisance to the public. Construction was going on outside our Hotel but the site looked so beautiful that I can't explain. We need to learn this.
5. Safety First- My former Safety Incharge was an awesome man who has worked in many countries. He told that once he saw that a minor repair was going on outside his hotel in Europe but they have made proper barrication, have used proper sign boards prior to starting repair. They had proper protection equipments. In India, we care about potholes when someone falls in it. We are reactive rather than being proactive. I wish people get this attitude of safety first.
6. Strong Rules and proper implementation - When we landed in Singapore. We were greeted by attractive placards with a message for visitors. There is a fine of 570 dollars on spitting or throwing garbage outside dustbin. My brother asked me, "Are they serious". I told that the fine is huge and we cannot afford to try.
7. No work is small- The condition of cleaning workers who clean our garbage and our streets is pathetic in India. They are illiterate, uninspired and neglected. They can never feel that they are a part of us. In Singapore, I was glued to stand and watch how a cleaning staff was dealing with garbage. He was neat and clean.He looked like any other singaporean. He was wearing a uniform that was amazing. His long gloves, high quality mask and a different kind of shoe were the highlights of his attire. He worked with a professional attitude with a smile on his face. Hats off to Singapore and other countries which have better mechanism to deal with garbage.
8. Follow your heart- I was once informed that a famous leader and member of US Congress told in an interview that after retiring he is going to drive a Cab as he loves driving. In India, it is rare for a well off person to chose the profession of a Driver. After all we are often more concerned about others opinion rather that living the life that makes us happy.
9. Learn to be on time- When we went to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. We had our itinerary planned in advance. We were amazed that everyone was on or before time.
We were occasionally late by few minutes. So, one day, a Chinese cab driver told that he found that Indians are always late. Why don't you people learn to be on time? We all were offended by his remark. Our nationalism was hurt but as there was some truth so neither I nor my Dad argued but my little brother gave some befitting replies. We didn't stopped my brother from countering the arguments of the Chinese driver as he was defending a national cause :)
Had he been a bit diplomatic in his criticism then we must have appreciated it.
10. Do you have got nature's call, find a washroom- My brother got the nature's call as soon as we ride a Ultra modern Luxury bus (without toilets) from Malaysia to Singapore. He went to the driver and he was informed that the bus will stop after an hour for refreshment. He can relieve himself then. He was unable to hold further and told them that if he didn't stop the bus then it can happen anytime in the bus itself.
The Bus staff took notice this time and told that the washroom is 10 kilometer away and it took 5 minutes to reach there. We were delighted to see such a massive washroom on a Highway. It was a plus as it was not in our itinerary but it was no less that a tourist spot for us.
I get upset when people go to other countries, come back and then criticize everything that is Indian. Please don't do that. Thanks for reading!
Read more at Travel Diary: Once upon a time in Singapore
2. We need to improve our system- Once my Uncle went to a bank in North Korea. They gave a token to him and asked him to take a seat. Later, he was given a royal treatment. He has struggled to get works done in Banks or government offices in India. The royal treatment, systematic procedures were alien to him.
Before you curse bankers, let me tell you that my Dad is a banker. I have been to few of his offices, I found that their job is really tough as they often don't have the resources to manage or provide a better service to it's customers. The customer in me also face difficulties at Banks but as I know their side of the story so I am compassionate about them.
3. Cleanliness is an attitude- While my Uncle was in Japan, once he noticed that someone stopped his car, got down, picked the garbage on the road and put it in a dustbin. He was surprised to see all this. His colleague, a Japanese, explained that they do this kind of thing often as it's our country and we have to keep it clean.
4. Always walk the extra mile to make someone else's experience amazing- I went to Singapore in 2011 before joining the construction industry. It was heart-warming to see that the procedures followed in Singapore is such that construction activities causes minimum nuisance to the public. Construction was going on outside our Hotel but the site looked so beautiful that I can't explain. We need to learn this.
5. Safety First- My former Safety Incharge was an awesome man who has worked in many countries. He told that once he saw that a minor repair was going on outside his hotel in Europe but they have made proper barrication, have used proper sign boards prior to starting repair. They had proper protection equipments. In India, we care about potholes when someone falls in it. We are reactive rather than being proactive. I wish people get this attitude of safety first.
6. Strong Rules and proper implementation - When we landed in Singapore. We were greeted by attractive placards with a message for visitors. There is a fine of 570 dollars on spitting or throwing garbage outside dustbin. My brother asked me, "Are they serious". I told that the fine is huge and we cannot afford to try.
7. No work is small- The condition of cleaning workers who clean our garbage and our streets is pathetic in India. They are illiterate, uninspired and neglected. They can never feel that they are a part of us. In Singapore, I was glued to stand and watch how a cleaning staff was dealing with garbage. He was neat and clean.He looked like any other singaporean. He was wearing a uniform that was amazing. His long gloves, high quality mask and a different kind of shoe were the highlights of his attire. He worked with a professional attitude with a smile on his face. Hats off to Singapore and other countries which have better mechanism to deal with garbage.
8. Follow your heart- I was once informed that a famous leader and member of US Congress told in an interview that after retiring he is going to drive a Cab as he loves driving. In India, it is rare for a well off person to chose the profession of a Driver. After all we are often more concerned about others opinion rather that living the life that makes us happy.
9. Learn to be on time- When we went to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. We had our itinerary planned in advance. We were amazed that everyone was on or before time.
We were occasionally late by few minutes. So, one day, a Chinese cab driver told that he found that Indians are always late. Why don't you people learn to be on time? We all were offended by his remark. Our nationalism was hurt but as there was some truth so neither I nor my Dad argued but my little brother gave some befitting replies. We didn't stopped my brother from countering the arguments of the Chinese driver as he was defending a national cause :)
Had he been a bit diplomatic in his criticism then we must have appreciated it.
10. Do you have got nature's call, find a washroom- My brother got the nature's call as soon as we ride a Ultra modern Luxury bus (without toilets) from Malaysia to Singapore. He went to the driver and he was informed that the bus will stop after an hour for refreshment. He can relieve himself then. He was unable to hold further and told them that if he didn't stop the bus then it can happen anytime in the bus itself.
The Bus staff took notice this time and told that the washroom is 10 kilometer away and it took 5 minutes to reach there. We were delighted to see such a massive washroom on a Highway. It was a plus as it was not in our itinerary but it was no less that a tourist spot for us.
I get upset when people go to other countries, come back and then criticize everything that is Indian. Please don't do that. Thanks for reading!
Read more at Travel Diary: Once upon a time in Singapore
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