Incredible India, incredibly cautious govt tells tourists: better be safe than sorry

“It is safe to travel in India. It is, however, advisable to take some precautions like avoiding isolated places and going out alone late in the night,” says the guideline which has been drawn up by the Tourism Ministry and was circulated to state government officials and law enforcement agencies during a meeting last month to review security measures for tourists.

The tourists are being advised to avoid developing familiarity with strangers and use public transportation wherever possible. “Do not take/ accept lifts from strangers,” they are warned.

At least one of the incidents against tourists in the last couple of months was a result of the foreigner accepting a lift from a stranger. A 32-year-old UK national was raped in Goa by a stranger who waylaid her after offering her a lift in the evening. The Goa police is yet to nab the culprit.

In another incident, a foreign national was molested inside her hotel room after she had allowed a stranger to come inside. Accordingly, the new guidelines advise tourists not to open their hotel rooms “without the safety latch or without first verifying the identity of the person.” It adds: “Avoid entry of strangers into your room.”

While informing the tourists about the kind of clothing required in different parts of the country in winter and summer months, the government also offers this advice: “Some parts of India are still traditional and conservative. It is therefore advisable to dress appropriately”.

For hiring taxis or autos, the guidelines tell the visitors to approach licensed operators only and “insist on going by meter”. “It is advisable to note the number of taxi/ auto rickshaw,” it says. It also says that being from a different country, the tourists are likely to attract attention of the local people, “especially in the smaller towns”.

Curiously, the government tells tourists to drink only bottled water. “Many popular brands are available. In restaurants, insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table.”

These guidelines would be circulated to all the Indian embassies and High Commissions and the overseas offices of India Tourism to be made available to tourists d sirous of coming to India.

BE WARY OF STRANGERS AND OTHER WISDOM

• Hire taxis and auto-rickshaws from pre-paid booths. Otherwise, insist on going by the meter. Note the number of taxi/ auto rickshaw.

• It is safe to travel in India. However, take some precautions like avoiding isolated places and going out alone late in the night.

•Avoid developing familiarity with strangers.

• Use public transportation/ transportation hired from approved operators. Do not accept lifts from strangers.

• Purchase food/ drinks from authorised stores only and avoid accepting food/ drinks from strangers or co-passengers.

•Do not open your hotel rooms without the safety latch.

• Some parts of India are still traditional and conservative. It is therefore advisable to dress appropriately.

•Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc.

• Being from a different country, chances are that you might attract some attention, especially in the smaller towns.

•It is advisable to use clean toilets available in places such as hotels and restaurants.

• Drink only bottled water. In restaurants insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table.

•Eat non-veg only in good restaurants.