L E T T E R S
Make Amritsar Important
(author unknown)

June 8, 2003

It is that time of the year, when more than a million people will go on summer vacation to India. I have seen in many families it is an annual or Bi-Annual tradition to go back to Punjab, to meet relatives, take care of family responsibilities and also so that their kids remain in touch with their family members. This opportunity can be used by Sikhs/Punjabis to make Amritsar/Punjab an important place. As per the estimates around 500,000 Sikhs/Punjabis visit Punjab every year from abroad. This is a major number and Airlines will be interested in their business, if they can attract you. My request will be to take the opportunity to use your strength in numbers and make following suggestion to the Airlines. This way you can contribute by making Amritsar an important place & also hopefully make your future trips smoother. When you are flying, ask for a suggestion form from the Air-Hostess and write following suggestions:

Airlines should fly directly to Amritsar, which is an International Airport. We will be ready to pay little more, if you fly directly to Amritsar.

The announcement at the time of landing & disembarking from Northern India should be made in Punjabi apart from English, as more than 40-50% of people flying at present are Punjabis going to Punjab.

There should be at least 2 Air Hostesses in Economy and Business class each, who are proficient in Punjabi. A label clearly marked on their dress should indicate that they know Punjabi. An announcement should be also be made about the same.

In the selections for Music channel, one of the channel should give continuously Gurbaani/Shabad Keertan (This is your choice, if you want to put it).

Then give your Non-India address as a person, who is making suggestion.

Reasons: 1. Flying directly to Amritsar will get you out of harassment by Haryanvi Police and their indecent behaviour specially towards Sikhs/Punjabis. You will reach Punjab at least 8-10 hours early spending 2 days more with your relatives in Punjab. You don't have to spend around 1000/per head to transport from Delhi to Punjab. Your relatives don't have to spend lot of money & waste time to come to Delhi Airport to receive you. Chances of losing your luggage to con-artist during transport form Delhi to your home town (either in Taxi/Bus) will be reduced. Lastly it will benefit whole of Punjab, as it may bring additional revenue & Jobs to that region.

2. By telling the Airlines to make announcements in Punjabi, you tell them that you care about your mother tongue & that it may encourage Airlines to employ some Punjabi speaking people. May be chances for our kids become better.

3. Asking for Airlines to keep some Air-Hostesses to be able to speak in Punjabi will encourage better service specially for some old people (our Mothers & Fathers), who are not very well conversant in any language other than Punjabi. This may also give some extra employment for Punjabi speaking young kids.

4. Some people like to listen to Gurbaani, specially on long flights of 8-12 hours, which will help you to concentrate on Wahiguru, specially if there is Vayakhya with the Shabad. In my opinion this will be best use of those long flight hours.

This may be only one of the step towards encouraging Airlines to give more prominence to their Punjabi customers, from whom they earn Millions of Dollar. You have to show your strength by giving them these suggestions every time you travel on any Airline specially to or from Punjab. Think about this that if they receive Thousands of such suggestions, they will be forced to take some action. Right now Punjabis are covered under their category of Indian travelers & hence you may never expect to get any of these benefits unless you specifically ask for benefits. Please note that to do this, you don't have to spend even a single penny, but merely invest 5 minutes of your time during travel to give these suggestions.

comment | go to top
home