Beauty of Turkey is belittled by words: come soon, security...

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Published on: 24 April 2016 12:15 PM GMT
 Beauty of Turkey is belittled by words: come soon, security...
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ISTANBUL: Turkey in general and Istanbul in particular, offers a study in contrast. Here one can see the intermingling of modernity with tradition. He can also see here Islam in a different light and perspective. But for the language this beautiful country can rub shoulders with Switzerland. In scenic beauty it can compare well with that country. In fact, in some cases it stands taller.

Antalya province in which I am putting up at present is a different experience too. In this state there are many who speak Hindi and are fond of Hindi music. For them, as well as others including tourists and Indian immigrants, it is difficult to believe that they are in a Muslim country. Many trees and plants are common—they are here as well as in India.

For those who are not much familiar with this country, Antalya is the eighth most populous state in Turkey. It is the biggest tourist attraction after Istanbul. May be it is equally attractive. In the year 2011 it was the third best tourist destination in the world. The country has seen many ups and downs and witnessed several rulers including Romans before the Muslim rules. Statues and monuments of those periods add to the attraction of the city.

Males and females in this country move in modern attire. Both are working together to develop this country, as the two are doing in European countries. The country has so many beautiful places that it will take years before each one of them is visited. One life-time may not be enough.

Minarets top the public buildings. Outlook is modern but the common language is still Arabic and Turkish. Even English words like water and market are unknown. My Mercedes driver could not take me to any market because he was unfamiliar with this word.

People in this country are as good looking as its valleys. They do not differentiate between the two sets of Muslims—Shias and Sunnis. But, unfortunately, it has come under the shadow of the dreaded terrorist outfit, IS. The group has created panic. Fear is writ large on the face of each one in this country. The security threat is so much that Mardan Palace Hotel guard asked me, while I was leaving, to be careful.” Soon come, security” he warned me in broken English.

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