Tourism cops on ‘gratitude drive’

SAY PLEASE

Shivani Mehra | TNN ..TIMES OF INDIA

Amritsar: The ripple effect of Union ministry's endeavour to tap the country's full potential of tourism by introducing ‘Atithi Devo Bhava' campaign, is causing quite a stir in the city. Keeping in mind the hordes of visitors thronging the Golden Temple, the CM had earlier this year launched Amritsar Tourism Police (ATP) to provide security to tourists. Taking the initiative further, ATP has begun holding gratitude exercises for "ambassadors" of hospitality industry.
In one such programme conducted last week, it taught cyclerickshaw-pullers, taxi and autorickshaw drivers and dhabha owners some basic social etiquettes.
With a majority of the audience being illiter ate or nearilliterate, the initiative caused much amusement all around. Nevertheless, even as most admitted to the importance of polite address and maintaining good personal hygiene, not many were hopeful of effecting a changeover. "It is a good initiative. But I doubt that all can learn this kind of hospitality," said taxi driver Balkar Singh.
"I'm sure it would leave a good impression on visitors if a rickshawpuller were to say ‘excuse me' after a sneeze," claimed Ramneesh Ku mar Chaudhary, in charge ATP. Explaining the importance of "such small gestures going a long way", Surjit Singh Mattu, nodal officer, Amritsar police, said: "We don't want rickshaw-pullers to fleece the tourists or mislead them just to make some extra money.” And to keep up the good show, he promised cash awards to "good samaritans" in the field. However, Balkar said some rickshaw-puller and taxi drivers charge commission from shopkeepers and hoteliers by taking tourists to them.
Subash Uppal, of Upp al Tour and Travel, rued the fact that they were denied a chance to air their grievances. SSP Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh termed it as a step forward in community oriented policing. Among others present on the occasion was DC Kahan Singh Pannu.

Soft Skills Training Programme for Tourism

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized a Soft Skills Training Programme for the sensitization of stakeholders towards tourism on Thursday, 21st February, 2008 at Amritsar, wherein representatives from various sectors of the tourism industry participated.

Around 250 participants from diverse sectors, including tourism police, hoteliers, restaurateurs, dhabawalas, cab drivers, rickshaw pullers, coolies and others attended the session. Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Member of Parliament, Amritsar, and Mr. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar, along with their other senior colleagues from Government of India were present at the workshop.

Takeaways from programme:

It was brought to notice to all attendees that Amritsar was a Gateway to India from the North and that with the International Airport expanding in a big way with many more flights getting added, it was only going to further boost the immense tourism potential the city has.

• Participants were made aware of the importance of promotion of tourism in the city since one lakh tourists visit Amritsar daily and that Amritsar has been continuously developing as a major tourist destination.
  

• The launch of Tourism Police in Amritsar was realized as another big step taken with a view to provide better service to the tourists coming to this holy city of Amritsar.
  

· Trainer shared his views on various issues with regard to the tourism industry. The presentation focussed on various aspects of the hotel and tourism industry including sanitation, cleanliness, food service, energy saving methods, general hygiene and sensitization of stakeholders towards tourism. The session addressed issues and cleared all doubts & queries the stakeholders had with tourism.

Issued raised by participants:

Issue of Communication with Foreign Tourists: A participant from Tourism Police division raised a question of how he was to solve the problem of poor communication with foreign tourists.

Trainer’s Response: The trainer suggested using the phrase “Please Slow” with actions so that words are clearer to follow and understand. He also mentioned that it would be beneficial to undergo training in very basic courses on English speaking. Learning a few standard lines which are most frequently used like “how far is the destination?”, “where could we get medical facilities?”, and few others could also help.

· Issue related to proper place for Tourism Police to be stationed: One of the participants state that the force did not have a place to station their personnel.

Mr. Ramneesh Chaudhary, Incharge Tourism Police apprised the participants that booths were being designed in collaboration with members of the CII, and shall be placed at six locations of the city to begin with.

Issue related to sectoral training within the Tourism industry: A request was made by the Hoteliers and restaurant owners to organise a separate program for training their staff as well. It was decided that separate focussed sessions be organised for the hospitality, logistics and government support agencies.

• Issue raised by member from Taxi Union: Issue related to prepaid taxis and turf demarcation between rickshaw pullers, auto rickshaws and taxi operators.
• Traffic Police’s Response: The issues shall be taken up by the police at their level.

TOURISM POLICE SQUAD

At Amritsar, clean up your act

Yudhvir Rana | TNN

Amritsar: The Holy City has no patience for those who can't keep the environs clean. The recently launched Tourism Police squad has the perfect solution to tackle those who have been making this city filthy with their poor civic sense. Their mantra is ‘do it yourself' - if the cops see you spit or litter your surroundings, they will simply ask you to clean it up and throw the debris in the bin.
Sporting a brand new avatar, the Amritsar police is taking these measures to make the tourists fall in love with the historical city, especially those places that are frequented by the locals and the travellers.
On Thursday, shopkeepers around Durgiana Temple were amused to see the ‘soldiers' of Tourism Police ask those found spitting on the road to ‘‘please clean the surface with some paper or cloth as everyone will appreciate the cleanliness''.
When the offenders were shameless enough to walk past, the cops picked up the muck themselves and threw it in the dustbin.
Sanjay Sharma, who resides in Durgiana Colony, said, ‘‘This is the first time that I have seen either police personnel ask somebody to clean the debris or pick it up themselves. It is commendable and a praiseworthy move.''
Launched on January 31 by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, the squad is the city's answer to community-centred policing. Apart from trying to keep the city neat and clean, the Tourism Police will also provide travellers with information on the city and assist them during their visit.
SSP Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh said 30 police personnel belonging to various ranks had been deployed at Durgiana Temple, Golden Temple, bus stand, railway station, airport and Attari-Wagah border.
Those selected for the job have been done so on the basis of their interest, apart from those who volunteered for the same. They would also be provided with special training conducted by the department of tourism.
In fact, the police administration is also considering to give these cops a differently coloured uniform, apart from infrastructural facilities like wireless sets.