Many people don’t like their native land
I realised this while talking to a chauffeur in my office. He is from Greece but living in Switzerland for last 15 years now.
He visits his family once every year. He loves wheels so he usually covers the 2000-kms stretch by car.
I have told him many times that I wish to travel to Greece, especially Athens. And requested him to show me around.
I thought he would proudly say Yes! I will show you the great Athens!
But he was a little hesitant.
At first, I did not understand the reason. Then I explained him why I loved to visit Athens because of all the great philosophers born there.
His response still was short of enthusiastic.
Then over a cup of coffee outside office we were discussing a lot of topics when this one came up again. It was then when he opened up.
He said Athens is nothing short of a crowded marketplace these days. So crowded, so dirty, so unsafe. Partly due to immigrants and rest due to petty politics.
He suggested me to rather visit one of these Greek islands.
This made me pause and wonder.
I soliloquyed aloud these were the exact same reasons I don’t feel particularly proud of my capital city, Delhi.
Yes, it is so historic and such a culturally, spiritually rich place. But due to the overcrowding, excessive pollution and lack of civic sense I would also be less enthusiastic in showing foreigners around Delhi.
I would rather urge them to see Sikkim or Goa or Kerala. But none of our stalwarts were born there. These places are not culturally or traditionally that rich but still so pristine and overflowing with natural beauty.
This conversation with him made me feel relieved. Like I am not the only one who is not so proud of the modern day definition of development.
He sure won’t be called a traitor in Greece for discouraging me to visit Athens.
