Report and Pics - Arun Uppinangady (GA/VM)

Puttur, Jan 12:  An Austrian para-glider who set his foot in Uppinangady was a subject of curiosity to the locals till the police met him in his lodge and elicited his details on Thursday January 11.

Peter Neckbor (33), an Austrian engineer with the hobby of touring the world is on a visit to India currently.  He has a passion for paragliding.  After coming to Goa by flight, he had gone to Uppinangady by paragliding and on Wednesday evening he set his foot on the banks of Netravati at Uppinagady.

Soon people surrounded him hurling questions at him.  There was a kind of commotion too which was getting stronger and stronger.  But the police led by Puttur ASP Dr Harsha entered the scene and took Peter out from the place.  He was placed in a lodge.  Thereafter it was the turn of the police to do what people did on the banks of Netravati with Peter Neckbor.

When police asked about his documents such as visa, passport etc, he was able to produce only the photocopies.  When police insisted for the originals he said that he had left them in Goa with a fear of losing them during his sojourn.  This did not satisfy the police.  Finally he established his identity by producing his documents via internet.  After everything was over, he was allowed continue his journey on Thursday evening.

Later speaking to the press, Peter said that though he was assaulted on arrival by some locals-it was for the first time during his world tour that he was assaulted by anyone-he would carry with him the sweet memories of the farewell.  He thanked the police for their cooperation specially by holding back traffic when he took off near the Old Gate at Uppinangady.

He also said that it was for the sixth time that he was touring India and it was his second visit to the state.  "I have a lot of respect for the people of Indian and to this unique and great culture.  Mahatma Gandhi is my idol in life," he added.

It is quite obvious that he was disappointed in the way he was received in Uppinangady especially when some locals assaulted him.  This remark has left several questions behind about the great Indian hospitality.  One could recall that a female student had tough time with some fanatical leaders and members of certain local organizations for stamping a book bearing the picture of 'Bharatmatha" in a reputed college in Mangalore sometime ago. Despite utmost hospitality, it is also true that many of the foreigners have bitter experiences too during their visit to India.