Dear Friends,
Sharing some facts from the past and their significance today. After originally promoting and supporting the genesis of the key idea to form IATO I also had the fortune of serving it in various capacities 1983 onwards till 2003. During the elections of 1993-94 there was a major crisis due to proxies and as a way forward, a special Constitution Amendment Committee was formed, of which I was elected the Chairman. The terms of reference were to cleanse the election process and totally democratize the representation and essence of the Association.
In this direction and to ensure that fresh human talent continues to flow in, and that IATO does not become the playground of a few, we clearly fixed the terms of Office bearers to a maximum of two terms and restructured the EC by adding more posts like Senior VP / Joint Secretary and included Allied Members in it for the first time. Late Mr. Behram Domasia from TCI, played a very constructive role in supporting me on this. Since the Association was small at that time, we decided to keep the option of repeating the term.
So when I happened to see a letter of 30th March (attached here) circulated by one of my dear friends, I realised that the spirit that was at the core of IATO’s democratic process, had been defeated. IATO has grown manifold and there are many enthusiastic and well meaning members today who would like to play an active role by being at its core. But how are we ever going to allow this to happen, if our senior members hold on to the same position for 12 long years and refuse to let go even after that?
Question is - why should anyone solicit support for a specific group of people? I can see many contenders in both ‘groups’ who have contributed positively to the Association. For eg. Rajeev Kohli has brought in fresh energy with his pro-active communication and organisational skills while also raising the bar for the IATO conventions. Similarly, Najeeb from the other group has increased IATO’s reach and strength in the South. Lally Mathew, Sarabjeet Singh, N S Rathore, Rajiv Mehra and so many more have been doing outstanding work.
We really need to finally ask ourselves some elementary questions, before we make up our individual choices (A) to be manipulated again into the same old pattern and fate? or (B) to simply break loose from it and bring in the new era at IATO which benefits each one of us.
Even the world’s more progressive nation doesn’t allow for a Presidentship for more than 2 terms. If I get a chance, I would surely like to plug that loose end in the constitution that lets a handful of people of a Group acquire unchecked control of power. A maximum of two terms is all we should have, never more, and then we should be able to gracefully step aside.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
Dear Friends,
It is difficult to retire for the night when your head and heart are in harmony and your passion to change things is fueling your spirit!. Yes. I want to thank you for your great responses.
I thought, before I go to sleep this night, I must share with all of you the nucleus-of-an-idea which I’ve decided should go into my Agenda’s Priority action list.
Incredible India is a very large canvas. Many different kinds of Tourism Players are essentially involved in the making of it’s appeal-fabric and brand-value. It is absolutely important to recognise this fact at large and embrace the tourism operators and entrepreneurs in all corners of India.
Make the necessary amendment in the Association’s constitution to accept all those Allied Members who are Govt Approved Tour Operators, as Active Members of IATO.
Open the doors of Active Membership to all Tour Operators, whether Domestic, Outbound, Adventure, Excursion or Otherwise if they are approved by a competent Government authority.
All other categories viz. hotels, transporters, airlines, entertainment, media, any ancillary service providers to be Allied Members.
This will create great reason for those members who went away to form other associations to become part of IATO again. It will also increase our effective strength, visibility and power of negotiation with MOT and other Government Agencies apart from injecting fresh talents and ideas into IATO’s working.
I see no reason why allied members who are also actual tourism players (tour operators) should be sitting outside the arena without any real say.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
Dear Friends,
As we can see... the fabric of IATO has been pre-occupied with 'groupism' cult and undesirable politics to further personal interests. And this is exactly what we have to leave behind!
Pre-set groups have emerged already in the guise of volunteers offering to serve our interests with dedicated fervor. My humble submission is as to why should the same people be getting the chance to serve us, tenure after tenure, when there are so many other capable and well meaning members who deserve the same opportunity?
The Constitution of IATO has not provided for a 'party' vs 'party' phenomena and this is best left to political parties where ideological battles are fought. IATO in its essence, is a body to further the interests of a homogenous set of businessmen. Anyone who cares and wants to take up industry challenges and issues should get a free and fair chance to do so. We cannot continue to let IATO be a domain of the same few people, year after year, instead create a platform for a wider participation.
A recent email acknowledging the presence and effort of only those EC members that are now part of the same team and ignoring the effort of one person who is now a 'rival', even though they all together worked to achieve the same goal, is in my view another casualty of this phenomenon where anyone who doesn’t confirm to the ‘group’ is dropped off and ignored.
The most respected amongst us, should refrain from such overzealous communications at the time of election campaigning.
I hope and trust that your wisdom and sharp sense would help you to see through this routine pattern and tactics of groupism and push us to break the mold.
Rest in next.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
My Dear Chapter Chairmen Friends,
I wish each one of you a happy holi today!!. And indeed I wish you a new era of prosperity and harmony in the coming days.
iato is not new delhi. iato is ‘we’ together. iato is india. it is you. Time has definately arrived for every one of you to play a role in reshaping iato and tourism futures of our chapters and states. I am simply determined to bring the changes alongwith you.
I want to share with you the press note (attached) that I’ve sent to the print medias. It gives you an idea of my seriousness.
I now request you to please send on my email your suggestions & observations of what needs to be done within your chapters and domains so it can be included in the final agenda to be prapared very soon.
I also wish to thank several of you for your outstanding roles and dedication in the past to help me solve various large issues.
Enjoy your day and i am looking forward to a great team work.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
Dear Friends,
Wow, Amazing indeed! thank you for your great responses!. And thank you for being so quick in voicing your supports!. I am truly humbled to see so many minds agreeing with core of my thoughts and intentions.
Of course, as many of you have requested, I am highlighting for all of you the ‘primary agenda’ which i want to pursue with you.
Injecting total fresh faces into IATO’s working teams
Eradicating the age old in-house politics and 'groupism'
Decentralising of the in-house decision making process
Introducing fresh ideas with DOT for global marketing
Roping in the overseas tour-operators for membership
Promoting eco-friendly iato brand image and initiatives
Establishing direct news communication with PM office
Optimizing use of I T for business and supplier policies
Encouraging and Including women in participative role
Mobilizing of sponsored funds for press / journalists.
This above is not too difficult to achieve, all we need is – (a) feel truly united (B) reject any negative or discouraging talk (c) have faith in the new team (d) maintain focus on the larger picture. I want to modestly highlight for you the positive and somewhat pioneering work I have done for IATO in the past. let us all look at it a bit later. It will help you know me better.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
Dear Friends,
If you want something you’ve never had before, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done before. It is Simple.
As inbound tour operators, our key business is anchored in the dynamics of Incredible india’s image overseas in different global regions.
Decades old psyche and vision domain of ‘IATO’ needs essential changes to recognize, realize and embrace the new elements of our current realities. I firmly feel it is now time for the younger generation in our fraternity to lead the epic initiative of change.
If you tune in with PM Modi’s vision and expectations of tourism to ‘Incredible India’, it is so easy to see why ‘IATO’ needs to be revitalised in shape and spirit. Indeed you are the key!!
Gone are the days of repeating outdated agendas and making oratory displays on stage. We now need to absolutely eject from the stagnant past, a period crippled by small time politics and groupism cults. We must unite and move into ‘real time future’ to realise our growth.
Despite of what my contenders or critics may wish to say, and without any comments or malice, I firmly believe it is now time to reject set old patterns. It is time to guide ‘younger generation’ and inspire them to play real meaningful roles to harness the future of tourism and IATO.
This is my core belief, this is my prime motivation and reason to accept requests from friends in the industry to volunteer as ‘presidential candidate’. I seek your encouraging supports. I would seriously like to work with you on bringing about change and infusing a fresh culture at IATO.
I have been a tour operator for over four decades and understand the various elements and challenges of our business at micro level. I say this with utmost humility.
Sincerely,
Maharaj Wahi
