"Atithi Devo Bhava" or "Guest is God" is the tag line of the Incredible India campaign. But the recent events of foreign tourists getting raped or molested tell a different story. Rape is the country's fastest growing crime and something has to be done really fast before the Tourism Ministry would be forced to change this beautiful campaign.

In the past 20 days at least seven foreign women and girls said they had been raped or molested. Several of these cases have taken place in Rajasthan, which is one of the most popular tourist destination. The latest government statistics show that there were 19,348 rape cases reported in India in 2006, compared with 15,847 in 2005 — an increase of 22 per cent. Nearly every week there are rape cases reported in newspapers, and foreign tourists seem to be the target. Read this -

Two Japanese women gang-raped in Agra on September 23rd, 2007

British journalist raped in Udaipur on December 23rd, 2007

American tourist molested in Pushkar on January 9th, 2008

UK woman allegedly raped in Goa on January 13th, 2008

Another alleged rape of foreign tourist in Pushkar on January 20th, 2008

British teen raped, killed on Goa beach

This is not it. In 2005, another German woman was raped in Jodhpur by an autorickshaw driver. A schoolteacher in Jhunjhunu molested another German woman in March 2006. Its shameful and a disgrace to see a country so beautiful being in news for all the long reasons. Its like molestation and rape of foreign women tourists has become a regular feature especially in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Countries like US, UK, Australia, Canada and France have warned their nationals to be alert while visiting India, which is a right thing to do considering India is only worried about the dwindling tourists arrivals due to these incidents instead of the actual safety of tourists.

The US governments' official site states: U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India. Western women continue to report incidents of physical harassment by groups of men. Known as "Eve-teasing," these incidents can be quite frightening.

UK travel advisory: Avoid walking alone in isolated spots in the popular tourist areas after dark. There have been incidents of sexual offences against women in Delhi and Goa. Female travellers are advised to observe and respect local dress and customs and to take particular care.

How many such incidents do we need to awaken the government to the enormity of this issue. From the incidents so far, it seems no one should be trusted. From the taxi-driver, to guest house owner, to even a temple priest.

So stop this crime, by making the punishment more stringent and stick to the impression that India is an easy-going and hospitable country, not a hostile country.


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