This morning I had to get up at 6am for an early flight back to Delhi - and this time because of a sandstorm the plane was 3 hours late, but I would like to say that although the airport itself was third world, the aircraft itself (a Kingfisher) was as good as anything I've flown on in the world. I later discovered that the airlines are run by independent businessmen and the airports by the government. Perhaps they ought to read Margaret Thatcher's memoirs, because it's clear that Indian businessmen make things happen, whereas governments the world over tend to hold things up. Back in Delhi and straight to the NDTV studios. Sonia Singh interviewed me in front of a hundred young Indians, and their questions were to the point and very demanding. I don't think India need worry about its next generation. I'm now on my way to another TV interview, an hour away, but more of that tomorrow as I'm dictating this in a car being driven by a lunatic.
6 Comments:
Dear Mr. Archer,
It seems as if your first trip to India is very tiring and leaves you very less time for leisure. Book signings, TV interviews, etc. don't tell you much about India, do they?
I read in one of your interviews that you were thinking of a book based in India. That for every Indian reader would be a dream come true. Though you have written a short story based in India (if I am not mistaken!) a full fledged novel will be totally different.
I hope I will be seeing you in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Till then,
Karunika.
Hello Sir,
So you will definately be there in Bombay tommorow or can we expect a change?
Please do reply Sir...
I have been reading about your exciting life. I just read all the comments the people of India wrote to you. What intelligent people and so passionate about reading like I am.
Watch out for those crazy drivers and be safe. Happy touring!
Nanci/TN
Dude, how's it going. Can't make it today due to traffic. Lokhandwala is far: one end of the world. Where are you tomorrow and the dayafter?
of all people in the world; why do you moderate comments?
Respected Mr.Jeffrey,
I submit the following humbly:
a. It seems u r constrained to see and think about airports, crowds, delays, one way roads only. Life is beyond that, Sir.
b. Look at the smile and the happiness at the human beings, sleeping at platforms in my country. Can u say this happens in palaces around the world?
c. We Indians, look inside and not outside. We want to be clean inside us and to achieve greater heights. Higher than airplanes! You have invented roads, airplanes, machine guns and what not. But can you take any one of your proud possessions with you when you leave this world? Your soul only travels upwards. That has to be taken care of while living here and not our roads and airplanes.
d. One should be a super human being to be born in India. The vice versa is also true.
Clean roads, disciplined traffic, shining air planes are plenty around the world. But when you come to India, pl train to look beyond that, Sir. I hope you will see a different India, when you land here next time.
RAVI (ravi815@hotmail.com)
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