India, Aug. 13 -- By Dr. R. Balasubramaniam

Travelling abroad used to be a refined experience. One dressed smartly, was served meals on porcelain plates with real cutlery, and returned home with stories, souvenirs, and perhaps a few undeveloped rolls of film. It was as much about the journey as the destination. Today, it feels more like running an obstacle course designed by someone who dislikes people.

Consider the simple matter of catching a connecting flight. Earlier, this meant a calm walk across the tarmac or, at worst, a short ride on an airport bus. Now, it means an unscheduled cardio workout. Modern airports seem to have been designed by urban planners with a cruel sense of humour. The connecting gate is always in a different te...