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By Mr Saiful Sobuh, Teacher, Cedar Primary School |
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I was attached to Citigroup Mumbai, India and had the opportunity
to learn about the company’s culture and operations. Along the
way, I made fascinating discoveries about Mumbai, Mumbaikars
(Mumbai residents) and Indian food!
I realised that Mumbaikars were polite and gentle.
They never failed to ask if I were comfortable and they always
offered me coffee or tea. My needs were attended to efficiently.
Though I felt that it was very awkward for them to attend to
me, I started to respect their kind hospitality. I learnt that
guests in India were always treated with respect.
I reflected whether this was the norm in Singapore. Do we offer
drinks to guests even though they just have a minute to spend
at our schools? At times, we are so busy that we want to get
down to business quickly. Perhaps we can learn from the hospitable
Mumbaikars.
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| Mr
Saiful in front of the closed Taj Mahal. |
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I also flew to New Delhi during my TWA. There, I travelled to
Agra to see the Taj Mahal. However, I reached Agra just as the
sun began to set. The Taj Mahal was closed. I was sorely disappointed.
The driver noticed my disappointment and requested assistance
from his friend, Raj, an Agra resident. Raj arranged for me
to view the magnificent monument from the nearby Yamuna River.
I spent my night admiring the Taj Mahal from the river’s sandy
banks. But what made my day was the fact that these individuals,
whom I barely knew, went all the way to make me happy.
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