And for a Friday of the week….. arriving into Bangalore from Frankfurt ….. some reminiscences …. some musings…..
How times have changed ….. in the early nineties Frankfurt airport symbolised German efficiency , discipline & order …… German Guests arriving into India would complain of lack of infrastructure ….too much bureaucracy …. so many forms to fill …. Lousy Airports .. bad air conditioning & crowds …..well…. well …. this trip I felt it’s all reversed …. The airport lounges in Frankfurt & most of Europe look jaded & obsolete….. immigration counter were poorly manned ….. we stood for almost 2 hours to just get our passports stamped for outbound travel from Schengen ……. Most passengers were silently suffering ….: some were anxious as they could miss their flights as the subsequent Security lines were equally long …….and in …… total contrast was on arrival at ….Bangalore International Airport …. Swanky new & pristine ….its spacious passages … lounging areas & more than 20 immigration officers clearing passengers …::: in minutes ……we were into the Duty free shopping area ….. was pleasantly surprised ….now one could buy Duty-free Alcohol … chocolates & Perfumes etc paying INR so …..no need for Foreign currency …. This is very convenient particularly for Indian travellers who no longer need to buy in other international Airports & cart these heavy bottles all along the journey path ….. it’s really a great convenience …..
Middle East crisis ….Iran -US/ Israel war ….: so much has changed in the last fortnight ….. Crude shot up to 110 $s threatening to even touch 200$s a barrel ……:whilst all countries suffered…… the developing & poorer countries in Asia & Africa were hardest hit …..LPG cylinders became a issue in India ….. doomsday sayers had field times conjuring theories of Indian Economy to tumble …. Rupee to crash & overall a race Downhill …..: thankfully the situation has eased ….: more as Parties involved have realised the TINA factor ….. the so called “Truce Terms” have seen Crude fall below 72 $s a barrel ….. prices lower than before the war started …..:.but this crisis has been a great learning for our country in the need for accelerating our ”Composite Energy”’ Policy ….:. diversifying sources &intensifying alternate energies ….. nuclear energy & coal gasification in particular …..having our own Defence manufacturing capabilities & a realisation that as a Country a “seat at the high table” has to be earned by us & us alone…… based on our people strengths … unity & resilience.
Let us all pray & hope the Truce settles into a permanent & peaceful Middle East solution …. Let us support the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” …. the earnest way ….. the equitable way …. the SEEGOS way.