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What Modi Must Do In Davos

It’s the first time in 20 years that an Indian prime minister is making his way to the snowy climes of Davos.

Snow-covered rooftops of Davos town, the location for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, are seen in this aerial photograph in Davos, Switzerland. (Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg)
Snow-covered rooftops of Davos town, the location for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, are seen in this aerial photograph in Davos, Switzerland. (Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg)

It’s the first time in some twenty years that an Indian Prime Minister is making his way to the snowy climes of Davos, Switzerland, regular host to the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting.

Big deal?

Yeah.

Davos is where the rich and powerful gather every year in what some call a giant networking event. There’s much more value to be had than that. The WEF does a good job of ‘mixing it up’ as one might say in party terms. As a result of which, in five days, a Davos delegate can meet more nationalities, professions and persuasions than in a year.

And...there’s more to do than just network. So here are five things Prime Minister Modi should not miss when in Davos.

1. Take The Train

Of course he won’t. Prime Minister Modi is unlikely to have the time to spare on his two-day whirlwind trip. But if he did, this comes highly recommended. And very affordable. Also less polluting than choppering it.

The train to Davos is like riding through a fairy tale. In a panoramic car.

The train to Davos. (Photograph: Premium Switzerland website)
The train to Davos. (Photograph: Premium Switzerland website)

2. Try Nordic Walking

The yoga devotee in Mr. Modi will enjoy this. The Davos Toursim website promises it’s a mix of fun and fitness.

“The Nordic walking technique is similar in movement style to cross-country skiing and is very easy to learn.”  

The Davos Klosters tourism website says it offers three marked round routes 2.8 km, 8.1 km and 13.1 km in length, which start at the car park for the Jakobshorn bahn cable car and head via Bolgen through the Clavadeler forest.

Walking trails. (Photographer: PhotographerStefan Schlumpf/ Davos Klosters website)
Walking trails. (Photographer: PhotographerStefan Schlumpf/ Davos Klosters website)

3. Garam Garam Chai

The only place in Davos that serves hot, masala chai and pakodas. Free. Over the years India Adda has become a draw for all lovers of India.

4. Go Iglu-Dorf

Igloo-Village runs in seven locations, boasts of patented igloos and claims the world record for the largest igloo ever built with snow blocks.

Igloo village. (Photograph: Iglu-Dorf website)
Igloo village. (Photograph: Iglu-Dorf website)

5. Top Of The World

A brief two-part cable car ride from near Davos Platz railway station ends in a view that’s at the beginning of every political aspiration. The world at your feet.

A view of Davos from Jakobshorn. Photographer: Author/BloombergQuint)
A view of Davos from Jakobshorn. Photographer: Author/BloombergQuint)