Atithi Devo Bhava?

I feel so sad when today I read this diktat handed down by our ancestors through generations.
As an Indian I should know what it means, except that in today's context, it has relegated itself merely to our history books.
Our culture is something to be proud of, however today, guests coming into our country to catch a glimpse of this culture are looted and raped by our own brethren.

Proud to be an Indian? NO

Today while living on foreign shores, We are able to see the India which IS. It is not the India which we try to portray as a part of our Tourism promotion and campaigns.

India is not just a country.We are an amalgam of diverse cultures,communities, religion.We are a country which dates back to centuries.We as a nation were known for our hospitality.
'Padharo mare des' has long been our Tourism byline.But today, when a guest arrives,how is it that we would like him/her to remember us on their way back home?
Indians of today are trying to make sure that the 'Atithi' never dares to come back !
This can spell doom not only for our Tourism industry but also for we Indians living outside India.
Our heads hang in shame everytime there is a reference in cafeteria discussions to 'Another tourist raped in India'
It is time that we woke up to our culture.Such things cannot be taught in books.They are passed on through generations.

But what can one say when the India of our Dreams has to be handed down a Law saying 'Do not abandon your elders and parents'

When we say that the Western culture is bad, we should look back at ourself.In our own country where elders are abandoned or killed regularly,at the end of the day, the Western culture is far better.Atleast they do not disrespect their elders.

There can be umpteen ways of a suicide, but suicide is always a crime nevertheless.