Foreigners unperturbed in Delhi
Courtney Braun (27) and her friend Brad White (26) from New York were busy posing for a photo in front of the India Gate on Sunday evening, few hours after the shootout at a tourist bus near Jama Masjid.
Courtney Braun (27) and her friend Brad White (26) from New York were busy posing for a photo in front of the India Gate on Sunday evening, few hours after the shootout at a tourist bus near Jama Masjid.
The two friends landed in Delhi on Saturday night for a five-week vacation and they have no intention of changing their plans. “We are visiting India for the first time and have plans to go to Agra, Haridwar and Kerala. There is no panic as such, I think we just need to be a little careful,” said Braun nonchalantly.
Most tourists visiting the country share their thoughts and feel that the shootout will not deter them from continuing with their holiday plans.
Standing near the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raul Vega (52), a Chile national, was busy planning his 20-day visit to India with his guide. “We cannot stop travelling just because some miscreants decide to create terror and disrupt peace.”
But then there are others who are worried. Robin Järnmark, a 21-year old from Sweden who has been travelling across the country for the past nine weeks is perturbed by the shooting incident. “It is definitely a matter of concern, we didn't venture out today. But I don't think I will cut short my trip.”
Apart from tourists, foreign nationals who are staying in India for work also seem undeterred by the incident. “No part of the world today can be absolutely safe or unsafe. The threat of a terrorist attack is not unique to India,” said 21-year old Flavia Jolly from Britain who has been working with a NGO in the Capital for the past three months.
Taking cognizance of the incident, the US Embassy has issued a message to its citizens visiting the country. “US citizens are urged to always practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile,” said the message.