Hi people,
Just to cheer you all up next time there's a crisis and you are in India, smile and ask for help. Here's why?

Recently, I saw a footage of authorities in airport (April) guiding foreigners and an Israeli embassy official thanking on camera for help in collecting some two plane loads of passengers - 'help from all levels' he said.

I know first hand about how Americans stranded in Rishikesh - health resort were also chaperoned out on a flight back to US.

But these are routine stuff. Now here's what I condensed from a newspaper.

April 4 - Stranded Russian Couple Rescued
There's a temple on reserved forest hills - Thiru-van-mallai where a Russian couple on a spiritual tour went broke and got stranded. They were paying around $5 per day rental and unable to face the owner decided to trek to the hills and wait out till the Covid lock down was over.

Luckily the locals spotted them and informed the police who in turn sent out a drone to trace the couple (in their late 20s). The drone spotted them at 2000 feet and then forest officials tracked them down and ... we don't know rest of story but since the District Superintendent took them under his fold - we may assume they are safely in Russia by now.

While on the above mission the forest patrol found another case. A Chinese Yoga enthusiast - 35 year old Yaoru Yang was 'rescued from a cave'. Yang decided to run off after hotels in that area declined to give him lodgings. He was tested for Covid, found negative - and hospitalized.

Feel sad, but Yang should have contacted the temple authorities or the police.
--xx

My point is, while in India if you simply smile we think all is well - since in the suburbs and rural we hardly use English. Say 'Namaste' and most likely we will delightedly fold our hands in reply - then ask for whatever you may need. And don't hesitate to go to the nearest police station. This country is run by the book.

99% of people are good; 99% of the time. But for good to be effective, you need to ask.

In fact, I helped out a young girl from Columbia. At a bus stop she smiled and I nodded and walked on. Luckily I turned to look back and found her face distressed. So then - ok, cutting a long story short - she's safe and we keep in touch over mail sometimes. Old story.

Point is we all need to read people; travelers.