Whenever the song “Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam” begins to play, Raj and Simran seem to return to life, walking hand in hand through the snow-covered Alps. For millions of Indians, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), immortalized by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, was much more than a film. It shaped the way an entire generation imagined Switzerland.
Like many people of my generation, my first glimpse of Switzerland came not through travel but through cinema. The country appeared to be a world of snowy mountains, green valleys and timeless love stories. Much of that dream was created by the films of Yash Chopra. His movies transformed Switzerland from a distant European nation into a place that many Indians longed to visit.
Even today, thousands of Indians travel to Switzerland every year. For many of them, the journey is not simply a holiday. It is, in some way, a search for the Switzerland they first encountered on the silver screen. The landscapes that once framed the romance of Raj and Simran continue to attract visitors from across India.
The influence of Yash Chopra on Swiss tourism was so profound that, in 2011, the town of Interlaken named him an Honorary Ambassador and unveiled a bronze statue in his memory.
Yet, it was only after I began living in Switzerland that I realized that the country I had seen in films was only one part of the story.
Beyond the mountains, the lakes and the postcard-perfect scenery, I discovered another Switzerland one shaped by its people and the values by which they live. Here is a society that places great importance on responsibility, respects laws not out of fear but out of conviction, and sees diversity not as a threat but as a strength. For a country often known to the world for its banks and financial institutions, its greatest wealth lies elsewhere: in the character of its people.
The Meaning Behind Two Letters
One of the first things that caught my attention after moving here was something surprisingly simple: the letters “CH”. They appear everywhere—on websites, on official documents and on vehicle number plates. India has “.in”, Germany has “.de”, and the United Kingdom has “.uk”. Why, then, does Switzerland use “.ch”?
The answer says a great deal about the country itself. Switzerland has four national languages. In German, it is called Schweiz; in French, Suisse; in Italian, Svizzera; and in Romansh, Svizra. Faced with these different identities, the country chose not to favour any one language. Instead, it adopted the Latin name Confoederatio Helvetica, from which the abbreviation “CH” is derived.
Today, those two letters represent far more than an internet domain. They are a quiet symbol of a nation that has learned how to build unity while respecting differences.
The Switzerland of Films and the Switzerland of Everyday Life
Tourists often fall in love with Switzerland because of its breathtaking beauty. Those who live here gradually discover that the country’s real strength lies elsewhere.
The world today is facing enormous challenges—wars, economic uncertainty, migration, climate change and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. Yet Switzerland, despite its small size, has managed to remain remarkably stable.
With a population of around nine million people, the country has built one of the strongest economies in the world. But the true success of Switzerland cannot be measured only in economic terms. Its prosperity is closely connected to the way its society functions.
Here, punctuality is more than a habit; it is a sign of respect for others. Public spaces are carefully maintained because people believe that shared property belongs to everyone. Rules are followed not simply because penalties exist, but because citizens trust the system and understand their own responsibilities within it.
These values may seem ordinary, but they are the result of generations of effort.
A Country Built on Cooperation
Modern Switzerland was not created through conquest or imperial ambition. Its roots go back to 1291, when three small cantons—Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden formed an alliance based on mutual trust and protection. Over time, that alliance evolved into the Swiss Confederation that exists today.
What makes Switzerland remarkable is that people speaking different languages and belonging to different cultural traditions have managed to live together peacefully. German, French, Italian and Romansh communities coexist not because they are identical, but because they have developed a culture of compromise and mutual respect.
When Citizens Have the Final Word
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Switzerland is its system of direct democracy. In many countries, citizens cast their votes during elections and leave most political decisions to their representatives. In Switzerland, ordinary people remain directly involved in shaping national policies.
Major laws and constitutional changes are often decided through referendums. Citizens also have the right to propose changes through popular initiatives if they collect enough signatures.
As a result, democracy here is not something that happens once every few years. It is part of everyday life. This system encourages people to think not only about their rights, but also about their responsibilities. It creates a sense that the future of the country belongs to everyone.
Facing Challenges Together
Switzerland, of course, is far from perfect. Like many developed countries, it struggles with rising healthcare costs, expensive housing, immigration, an ageing population and the uncertainties created by artificial intelligence.
What stands out, however, is the way these challenges are addressed. Instead of turning every disagreement into a political battle, there is a strong tradition of dialogue, research and public participation.
Differences of opinion are often treated not as threats, but as opportunities to find better solutions. That attitude has helped Switzerland maintain a high degree of social and economic stability, even during periods of global change.
More Than Beautiful Landscapes
For many people, Switzerland will always be the land of snowy mountains, crystal-clear lakes and unforgettable film scenes. But after living here, I have come to believe that its greatest beauty lies elsewhere.
It lies in a society that understands that freedom must be accompanied by responsibility, that prosperity carries obligations, and that progress means little without human dignity.
The Alps may be Switzerland’s most famous symbol, but the country’s real strength is found in the values that quietly shape everyday life. In a world that often seems divided and uncertain, that may be Switzerland’s most valuable lesson.