I agree with Mario here. Is Gabriel suggesting that the parents were foreign nationals but got the cheaper air fares just because of their skin colour? In this case, they were lucky but -- knowingly or otherwise -- violating the rules.

If the suggestions is that the European-looking (wouldn't Caucasian be the preferred term?) was an Indian national but wrongly deprived the lower fares, did she point this out?

Expect for the recent, abberant phase where the BJP ideology sought to subtly and not-so-subtly push its perspective (that religion = nationalism and nationality), the fact is India has been remarkably open in accepting a wide range of people as its nationals. Race hardly figures.

Could someone with a different perspective correct me here?

FN (Frederick Noronha-Goa)

On Tue, 8 Feb 2005 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Gabriel Menezes (?) wrote

A case in point is a Goan friend of mine has a very
European-looking daughter (fair, blue-eyes).  She
was touring with her parents in New Delhi et al, and
wherever they went, she was being charged the
'foreign' fares whereas the parents were being
charged the 'domestic' fares.

Mario replies:
Why was your friend with the 'firangi'-looking
teenager expecting to get the domestic fares reserved
for Indian nationals?  It is discriminatory but legal
to charge non-nationals and non-residents "foreign"
rates in India.  If you are getting the lower rate
because you are masquerading as a "national" and they
happen to check your passport they will fine you for
having a "Indian national" ticket.



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