# A Warm Welcome To Incredible India Poem by Mamta Agarwal

Waiting at the harbour with a paging board in my hand,
With names of guests from Australia, about to land.
It was my first assignment as a tourist guide,
And my heart was beating fast, filled with pride.

My Incredible India, dismissed as a land of contradictions
Snake charmers, beggars and full of superstitions.
As a good will ambassador, it’s my chance to bust the myth,
Feeling somewhat nervous and excited I could hardly breathe…

I saw a couple in their 40’s wave vigorously at me,
I could see they couldn’t wait to begin their journey…
After perfunctory formalities and introductions
I said one request, please suspend preconceived notions,

For sometime, and tell me what is on your itinerary.
We want a complete experience of your country.
Wonderful, I exclaimed, India is a complete destination.
You won’t be disappointed, I will like to mention.

Just tell me if you want adrenal high and adventure
Or some place calm and serene in the lap of nature
There are skiing, trekking and wild life sanctuaries,
And there are spas offering relaxation therapies.

But one thing you can’t give a miss is shopping trip
Oh there is a treasure trove, you wouldn’t like to skip.
My only humble plea is just have an open mind,
Soak the Sun, colours and flavours of myriad kind.

Walk, taste the local food and simply explore,
But refrain from making comparisons, I humbly implore.
Walk on the sandy beach, or take a leisurely shikara ride.
I won’t impose on you, so what if I am your tourist guide.

They were enchanted as well as perplexed,
Oh, yes I know, our country is a little complex.
Ten days are not enough for a country of so much diversity
To understand it I'm afraid, truly you need an eternity

We shall come again they said without hesitation
Atithi Devo Bhava, so you have an open invitation…




Atithi Devo Bhava—a Sanskrit phrase meaning guest is God

13.01.09