My article titled "Self-Governance: Swiss versus Indian" is the latest in my "Guptara Garamagaram" series in The International Indian magazine (published from Dubai)
If interested, please see pages 72 & 73 at http://www.theinternationalindian.com/current_issue_flash.html
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
The decline of Switzerland
At a recent conference, an American asked me if it is safe to drink water from the normal cold water water taps in homes and hotels in Switzerland.
I replied that the rule of thumb is that in every country which went through the Protestant Reformation, one can indeed drink water from the tap.
Not only that, in every country which went through the Protestant Reformation, politics are as clean as the streets, there is a reliable fire service and system of medical care, good schools and universities, scientific and technological progress, care for the poor and a relatively large and prosperous middle class.
With the decline of the influence of the Reformation, trains no longer always run on time in Switzerland, and the educational and medical systems are slowly declining. Fraud is on the increase in companies, and law and order are gradually breaking down in society. Once the rot sets in, it is difficult to reverse.
Even the time-table that one prints out from the internet site of the railway company (SBB) is no longer accurate - e.g. it claims that there is a bus number 113 that takes one from Interlaken West to Beatenberg. No such bus number exists, nor has any such number existed for some time. The right number for the bus is 1.
So even the information one gets from official sources is no longer reliable.
Switzerland will probably never become like China, but it seems to aspire to becoming like India or Africa - unless the moral, ethical and social influence of the Bible is brought back into Switzerland.
But the sad thing is that even most Christians here do not understand that. So it falls to Hindus such as myself to point out such elementary things.
I replied that the rule of thumb is that in every country which went through the Protestant Reformation, one can indeed drink water from the tap.
Not only that, in every country which went through the Protestant Reformation, politics are as clean as the streets, there is a reliable fire service and system of medical care, good schools and universities, scientific and technological progress, care for the poor and a relatively large and prosperous middle class.
With the decline of the influence of the Reformation, trains no longer always run on time in Switzerland, and the educational and medical systems are slowly declining. Fraud is on the increase in companies, and law and order are gradually breaking down in society. Once the rot sets in, it is difficult to reverse.
Even the time-table that one prints out from the internet site of the railway company (SBB) is no longer accurate - e.g. it claims that there is a bus number 113 that takes one from Interlaken West to Beatenberg. No such bus number exists, nor has any such number existed for some time. The right number for the bus is 1.
So even the information one gets from official sources is no longer reliable.
Switzerland will probably never become like China, but it seems to aspire to becoming like India or Africa - unless the moral, ethical and social influence of the Bible is brought back into Switzerland.
But the sad thing is that even most Christians here do not understand that. So it falls to Hindus such as myself to point out such elementary things.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Swiss efficiency
The family is in the middle of buying a car (not my favourite activity!).
My son, who has organised everything, told me that we needed to go to the Office which issues the licence plate for the car.
We went this morning and, as I had certain other things to do, wanted to be in and out as early as possible.
The office was supposed to open at 8.00 a.m.
We arrived at 7.55 a.m.
Only to find that, this being Switzerland, SIX other people were ahead of us in the queue!
We had to go to one window to hand in papers et al, and then to another window to actually collect the licence plates.
However, we were out of the office at 8.02 a.m., licence plates in hand.
Long live Swiss efficiency!
My son, who has organised everything, told me that we needed to go to the Office which issues the licence plate for the car.
We went this morning and, as I had certain other things to do, wanted to be in and out as early as possible.
The office was supposed to open at 8.00 a.m.
We arrived at 7.55 a.m.
Only to find that, this being Switzerland, SIX other people were ahead of us in the queue!
We had to go to one window to hand in papers et al, and then to another window to actually collect the licence plates.
However, we were out of the office at 8.02 a.m., licence plates in hand.
Long live Swiss efficiency!
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Train service announcements as an indicator of cultural decline
On my last journey into Zurich, I found that the train was to terminate at Olten instead of its usual destination. The announcement was made in German but not in English or French (in which languages all announcements are usually made on this route, as the route ends up in the French-speaking part of the country).
Announcement was also made in German of the different alternative train services that passengers could use if they wished. Again, no announcement in French or English.
On my way back, I changed trains in Winterthur and noticed that my train ARRIVED at the platform 1 minute and 5 seconds AFTER it was scheduled to have LEFT - with no announcement and no apology in any language, either on the signboards or by the train conductors.
Announcement was also made in German of the different alternative train services that passengers could use if they wished. Again, no announcement in French or English.
On my way back, I changed trains in Winterthur and noticed that my train ARRIVED at the platform 1 minute and 5 seconds AFTER it was scheduled to have LEFT - with no announcement and no apology in any language, either on the signboards or by the train conductors.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Documenting the Decline of Switzerland
My twins have just returned after some weeks abroad.
The first thing they noticed is that the toilets just before Passport Control are out of order.
The second thing they noticed is that their train is eight minutes late (well, at least this time there was announcement, apologising)....
The first thing they noticed is that the toilets just before Passport Control are out of order.
The second thing they noticed is that their train is eight minutes late (well, at least this time there was announcement, apologising)....
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Cross-cultural differences between Switzerland and India in the matter of food
My son, the Founder and CEO of King's Kurry AG tells me that:
- the colder it gets, the more Indian food his company sells
- the warmer it gets, the less Indian food his company sells
which is a bit strange considering that it is food from, and designed for, a hot climate!
- the colder it gets, the more Indian food his company sells
- the warmer it gets, the less Indian food his company sells
which is a bit strange considering that it is food from, and designed for, a hot climate!
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Royal Gourmet Tour of India for German-speakers
On the basis of his many years of experience btween India and Switzerland, my friend, Mr. Ramraj Bhalla, has decided to bring it all together in a new Royal Gourmet Tour of India, which I warmly recommend (beware: I am a shareholder in the company jointly-sponsoring this - i.e. King's Kurry - and I might even join in!)
http://swissbharat.com/royalindia
http://swissbharat.com/royalindia
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