This story is from October 7, 2016

What Sarnath needs to get rid of for Tourist sake?

What Sarnath needs to get rid of for Tourist sake?
TOI Photo: Sanjay Gupta
SARNATH (Varanasi): The red remains of Dhamma Chakra Parivartan Sthal blended well with grass landscaping while the scene was perfectly complimented by the evening skies to give the Buddhist sacred space its true serene character.
But on Tuesday, a high level of energy reverberated in the place which was thronged by over 400 delegates from 38 countries as they participated in Buddha walks organised as a part of ongoing International Buddhist Conclave.

Each one was busy gathering whatever they could from Dhammekh Stupa, the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. Built by Ashoka, the stupa notified teachings on truth of suffering to the monks while serving as a perfect backdrop for selfies.
Some of them willingly shared their experience. Thai native Prangthong Jitcharonenkul aka PJ left an important feedback for PM Modi. "I had heard of India's cleanliness campaign. But sanitation looked like a major issue in Varanasi," PJ said citing Buddhist teaching of 'cleanliness is godliness'.
Tour operator from Spain, Monica Menendez took the 'risk' of a maiden visit to India. Her brief stay turned out to be a lifetime opportunity. "I think there's so much to explore here and the so called risk is worth it," she said.
Travel writer from Poland Ewa Barbara Majerska said that Buddhist meditation alone was a reasonable crowd puller. "I'm gonna compare Buddhist meditation with tradition of prayers in Christainity to make people understand better," she confess clicking some last pictures.

Journalist from Cambodia Pav Suy wanted Indian government to strengthen the network of connecting flights. "A four hour wait at Bangkok airport to reach Delhi wouldn't have harassed me if there was a direct flight from my country," said Suy adding that he spoke to minister Mahesh Sharma on this. "He told me that efforts were on but didn't reveal the time frame," the young reporter said.
Writers from Vietnam, Vu Lan Anh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Loan cribbed about a single flight from Hanoi to Delhi. The girls were taken aback by the poor internet connectivity in Delhi and Varanasi. "We never thought we will have to pay for WIFI. And the speed looked like it was a generation behind," they said.
Some of them were smart to note that all the VIP treatment will not be there if they come by themselves. Blogger and writer from Li Ling from China, for example said, "all the security and comfort will not be there when I come as an ordinary tourist next time."
(With inputs from Punkhuri Kapoor).
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About the Author
Shailvee Sharda

Journalist with the Times of India since August 2004, Shailvee Sharda writes on Health, Culture and Politics. Having covered the length and breadth of UP, she brings stories that define elements like human survival and its struggle, faiths, perceptions and thought processes that govern the decision making in everyday life, during big events such as an election, tangible and non-tangible cultural legacy and the cost and economics of well-being. She keenly follows stories that celebrate hope and life in general.

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