foreigners

videograph parties

City expats are bewildered by the new rule that parties involvingmust be videographed​The new rule imposed by the Karnataka government, which makes it mandatory towhere foreigners are invited (reported by BM on Wednesday) has caused consternation among the expat community in the city.Among the directives: Organisers of parties which involves expats need to provide the full list of foreigners attending any party; all parties and music shows should end by 10 pm; officials from the tourism and police departments should be allowed to videograph and photograph the show/party; tourists are prohibited from staying back/sleeping at the venue after the event is over. It applies to parties held outside the city.The impetus for the rule was the incident in Udupi in February 2012 where a party organised by a private company in association with the state government caused embarrassment after some foreign couples were spotted making out.Ema Trinidad, founder of ExpatLife India, feels that if the rule is implemented, it should apply to everyone. “It’s a bit silly to police foreigners this way. Details like budget, funding and source of the may be required. However, if it’s being done for security purposes, then it should apply to everyone uniformly,” she says.According to Trinidad, there aren’t many foreigners who travel outside the city to attend parties. “Goa is the party destination. Even when they travel across the state, it’s more for sight-seeing,” she said. Still, Trinidad feels that this rule may have an impact on farmhouse parties outside the city.For Jeanne-D’Arc-Jabbour Rajagopal, director of a chain of restaurants, the rule appeared biased. But she admitted, “There might be a security reason behind the move. As a guest in the country, we have to understand the reasons behind the implementation and respect the local culture. Back in our countries, we can do what we please.”Maria (who prefers to go by her first name), who often attends parties in the city and travels across the state and country, is “shocked” at the “silly rules”. “Is this to say that we are not responsible while partying? We’re adults and we know what we’re doing. What makes them think that Indians don’t behave inappropriately at parties,” she questions.Some others feel that the rule is “completely crazy.” “Whatever are they going to do next. I simply don’t understand,” said a foreigner who did not want to be named.