When I was in Standard II, we were prescribed a wonderful geography book titled lands and life: People and Children of Wonderful lands. In the first page of that book, there was a message in the preface addressed to the teacher. It said, the book is intended as an introduction to the large world of strange lands, peoples and animals, all of which appeal so strongly to the imagination of the young child. To obtain the full value of the pictures and reading matter, each child should not only have a copy, but should be allowed time for “browsing” on its contents. It was suggested that the book may be read as a whole in order that the young child may receive some idea of the world as a unit, and so obtain some feeling for the similarities and dissimilarities of human conditions in different parts of the world. That was 1961, almost six decades ago, when the fashionable jargon of Globalization was not coined. But the spirit of Globalization was definitely inherent there- similarities and dissimilarities of human conditions in different parts of the world. Not just conditions, the similarities and dissimilarities of the human nature, too, in different parts of the world. Naturally, the invitation to conduct a workshop on Consumer Behavior for the Tourism Marketing students of European University, Tbilisi, gave me another opportunity to see the large world of strange lands, peoples and animals. And it was a great learning experience about human nature. Similarities and dissimilarities are there, cultural and social diversity is obviously a fact, but behind these apparent differences is a common thread, a connecting link that suggests that humanity had a common descent. It is this common descent that is the reason for the striking similarity in the way people feel, act and react. They befriend people for the same reasons, like and dislike people for the same reasons, their basic emotions are the same, though the way they express those emotions may differ. Yes, they speak a language that may be difficult to understand, the gestures may vary, but, that in no way changes the basic feelings that emanates from the heart. The feelings written in the eyes that can be read if one observes closely. The expression of the eyes which almost always betray the feelings, no matter how much one may want to hide. Georgia is beautiful, so are the Georgians. The country is endowed with bounty of nature, good people, beautiful ladies and cute children. Yes, the place is attractive in every sense of the term and if packaged properly Georgia can be a wonderful tourism destination. The landscape, the black sea, the clear environment, the green atmosphere and the smiling beautiful faces are all a tourists’ fantasy. Interestingly, the country boasts of a phrase in their language “StumariGvitsaa” meaning “Guest is from God” that is quite similar to our own “Atithi Devo Bhava”. A visit to the country would make one fall in love with its beauty. However, the important thing is the similarity of emotions that unites humanity though mannerism may be different. For instance the way the Georgians greet one another. It is unusual in India, except in the world of film stars.But the eyes always express the same feelings when you greet someone here. Interestingly, some Georgians still see India as a land of snake charmers, sorcerers and fortune tellers. Well dear, it is not so.

Pathak is a professor of management, writer, and an acclaimed public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com