e_Paper 7-11-2016

22
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016
DT
Opinion
The Sri Lankan paradigm
South Asian countries like Sri Lanka have a lot to offer the tourist
There is much happening in our South Asia. I came back from Sri
Lanka feeling that they have discarded many of the habits that add
unnecessary stress to modern day living
SERPENT
IN EDEN
• Towheed Feroze
I
Cathartic Colombo?
firmly believe that unless
you have visited a country,
refrain from making any
comments on that nation’s
socio-economic situation. Yes,
we can form an idea about a state
based on what news we get on
the media, but, honestly, a few
news items can never give the real
picture.
Just before I left for Sri Lanka
for an official visit, asked a
neighbor if he wanted something,
to which he just responded, with
a slight hint of denigration: What
can you get in Sri Lanka?
I was hurt.
This is not the first time such
a derogatory comment was made
by someone about a South Asian
country. Some time back, when
the Maldives was still not officially
stamped as a high-end tourism
spot, one of my acquaintances
called it a third world country.
The belittling tone in her voice
was too pronounced to miss.
Once someone asked me: “How
is Bhutan?” I told him that if there
is one place where peace prevails
with immaculate mountainous
beauty, then Bhutan is it.
A Switzerland in South Asia,
I added, to give more potency to
what I had just said.
Of course, that person would
rather visit Switzerland because
it’s in Europe and once you are in
Europe, the region of wealth, the
impact of the photos on Facebook
is bigger. Sri Lanka, I found, to
be a country where politeness is
inextricably mixed with discipline
and cleanliness.
And yes, since many will want to
compare, the country is just as
attractive as any first world state.
As part of the official tour, we
were taken to the sea side city of
Hambantota; “Ambalantota” in
their language.
Long time ago, read about this
place in the Masud Rana book:
Bisshoron, which was later adapted
for the big screen in 1975, starring
Sohel Rana in the eponymous role.
With foreign filming unheard of
in the early days after liberation,
Hambantota was recreated on the
Cox’s Bazar beach.
So, naturally, I had a special
interest in seeing the actual place.
Windy, cool, filled with coconut
trees and tranquility -- these are
the words that come to mind in
describing this city kissing the sea.
On the way from Hambantota to
Colombo, the first things to admire
were the perfect highways and
noiseless traffic.
BIGSTOCK
Hardly anyone honked, and,
when needed, our bus used a very
mellow form of horn, which did
not startle others on the road.
During our four-hour plus bus
journey to the capital, passed
several small towns and noticed
how immaculate they appeared.
Everywhere there was a sign of
order. No, not the clinical sort, but
the type associated with pristine
living, or something which we call
“chhimchham” in Bengali.
The churches, mosques,
temples looked as if they are
cleaned regularly, the CNGs,
in a variety of colours, added
exuberance to the towns with
the suburbs blessed with an air of
serenity.
They say, if you want to find
out about a nation, go and take a
look at their toilets. We stopped
at a large highway shopping
area and there were two types of
washrooms: One, which charged
a fee, and the others, which were
free for all.
In the latter section, one could
sleep near the toilet.
The same has to be said for
washrooms at malls in Colombo.
Colombo is a mixture of old
colonial period architecture and
the new, which means that the
city retains much of its historic
character.
Once more, I was struck by the
small things that make a city first
class -- neat steel scaffolding for
construction sites, adequate public
warning through fluorescent
signboards, placards, horn-free
traffic, and general cleanliness.
Modern amenities that make a
cosmopolitan city are there along
with plenty of religious spots for
all faiths.
Near the port, large
construction was underway.
Again, in such orderly fashion,
that even looking for faults in
storing building materials, I failed
to find any.
It’s amazing that nowhere could
I find anyone lamenting the ill
impact of the long-drawn civil war.
Either they have decided to forget
a turbulent past or are too busy
making a better future.
As for a future, from the capital
city, it becomes clear that this
country is moving forward fast.
Many top range hotels are found in
Colombo with more coming up -- a
sure sign that there is demand for
luxurious accommodation.
Gastronomically, this city is
adventurous, with an array of
fresh sea food available from the
high to the affordable end.
Colonial impact is visible with
many fast food stores selling
devilled kidneys and liver.
As I said earlier, there is a
common (bizarre) trend to look
at South Asian successes with
disdain and, in some cases,
without even seeing these
achievements.
For shoppers, this country
offers gems and spices. Those who
are impressed by large shopping
malls with brand names won’t be
disappointed either.
There is much happening in
our South Asia. I came back from
Sri Lanka feeling that they have
discarded many of the habits that
add unnecessary stress to modern
day living.
By the way, there are foot and
head massage centres everywhere
with glass windows, so rest
assured, the happy ending is
purely spiritual.
No wonder, these people seem
so relaxed.
Incidentally, their lager
is terrific; far better than the
imported European ones. So, as an
impressed visitor, I would suggest:
For once, leave the common
preferences and drop over at
Colombo by the sea. Or, should I
say, cathartic Colombo? •
Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently
working in the development sector.