My family was excited. The “cousin” in the household was to wed a beautiful French damsel. The youngster had left the country to pursue his masters in the United States, and seek greener pastures in corporate America. It was here that love blossomed between the two and after a whirlwind courtship they decided to get married.
The family in India took it all easy. They were happy that their son had finally decided to “settle” down, and were excited at the prospect of interacting with a family that was not only foreign to them but also spoke a language that was fairly new. For some strange reason, the French side wasn’t too happy with the alliance. To them India was nothing but a land of snake charmers, a poor country where people weren’t all educated. But let’s face it. Isn’t this the common thought that exists among many in the West? India to them is the land of the Taj, where Maharajas ruled and a country from where you pick up elephants as souvenirs. Theres nothing more to it. Or is there?
India is a country of snake charmers
But the practice long left the country
Snake Charming is the practice of pretending to hypnotize a snake, thereby making it dance to the tunes that are emitted from a wind instrument called pungi or bansuri. Commonly a street performance, the practice has been prevalent not only in India, but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, the North African countries of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Today the practice has been prohibited under the Wildlife Act. The few who remain can be found in destinations such as Rajasthan, solely to attract tourists.
Indians aren’t educated
Come on now, how do you explain the increasing number of professional colleges that come out in dozens every year?
The fact is that a large percentage of our population today seeks education. Every year, the country churns out in thousands, doctors, engineers, management professionals etc… Doesn’t this go to show that we do place importance on our population being educated? Of course rural India still may seem way behind. But hey, this doesn’t qualify India as an uneducated country.
India is unsafe
Well, it is as safe (or unsafe) as any other country in Europe, Asia or America
Oh well! The typical stereotype. We sure have had terror attacks, rape cases or sexual assaults in the past. But these are issues that are present on a global level too. Parts of the country, though are far more sensitive, such as Kashmir, but when you look at the broader picture, the country is as safe as most other countries.
If you have seen the Taj, you have seen India. And aren’t all souvenirs in India elephants?
It surely has the Taj. But, the country has this and much more too
Of course we are proud of the Taj. And we are also proud of its pristine mountains, rivers, plains, beaches, temples and palaces. The art and handicrafts greatly vary from place to place. You need to travel its vastness to pick up souvenirs that are anything but elephants.
All Indians are in customer support
Indians are in customer support and other things too
It would be rather surprising if one didn’t speak to an Indian customer care executive over phone, when living in the US, Canada or even for that matter Europe. For these countries, it is just a job that has been outsourced. For many in India, it is an opportunity. Look at it this way, customer care, technical support, call center or software support, you name it and we have surely left a mark. Indian’s have the skill in technical jobs as well as in various other fields. There is a large number of Indians in the medical field too across the globe.
The country today sure has surpassed the tag of being one of snake charmers and tantric. Of course, like the two sides of a coin, the country has a side of despair, some not so nice social practices and a population that’s on the brink of explosion. But look onto the other side of the coin and you see that the country is well into the road of development.
It depends on which side you place upwards!
The family’s “Indo-French” wedding was a success, with its cross cultural ceremonies. There were exchange of vows between the couple and exchange of gifts between the families. We ensured the French took back with them India’s true picture and a goodie bag that was loaded- well not with elephants this time!
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arv!
Lovely post! Only if someone travels to India… They can see more than the perception!
Me Otherwise
Yup! and i feel the true india is not the 6 metros.. it is much more and beyond this!
arv!
🙂
sampada
Thank you for writing this! Stereotypes are hard to change but I believe, part of the blame lies with most of us too. Others see in India what we project it to them. Having lived in the US for quite sometime, I have seen many of my friends making our country the butt of jokes to evoke a few laughs.
While all the problems are true, there is so much more to us. There is so much beauty and scenic places, our culture, our architecture, our mythology, our diversity, I just hope we as Indians, really understand India.
Me Otherwise
Thats exactly what I feel . India sure has still got its charm and beauty. We should be talking more abou it rather than the negatives.
Sweta_Biswal (@sweta_biswal)
nice post !! we tend to become so comfortable with these cultural stereotypes that we forget that entire world is constantly in a state of flux .
Me Otherwise
True sweta. You have brought out a really valid point. We probably get comfortable with the stereotype
richakamal
I have experienced the other side as well. People who love India and want to visit it.
And then there are some ignorant people as well who stereotype India and Indians.
I think a bit lies on our shoulders to change their opinion as well.
Thank you for sharing!
Richa | Fancier’s World
Me Otherwise
That’s true Richa. Somewhere it is how we Indians tackle it too….
inquisitivegeet
That’s the thing with stereotypes.. they never leave you. No matter what you do or where you excel, you will always be remembered for who you were. This was exactly the same thing shown in the movie ‘Namastey London’.
It was wonderful to read you after quite a long time 🙂
Cheers
Geets
Subha Rajagopal
India is much more than a land of snake charmers.And for people of this generation,we can ask ourselves,when was the last time we actually saw a snake-charmer?
Anish George
It is really sad to suffer from these Stereotypes.
matheikal
Stereotypes are unavoidable. But they can be refuted as you have done.
Arohii
All these stereotypes !! 🙂 well done !
Parul Thakur
That’s the sad part about India. We are excelling in all fields possible yet these stereotypes do not leave our side. Many many people abroad still go about these beliefs. A few years back, I was asked if India has Facebook. Imagine, what people think of the country.
You have got a good post there challenging these stereotypes. Thank you for putting our country first, Ramya.
Ami Bhat
Nicely countered.
deepaliadhikary
Wonderful Post. Yes, this country has so many dimensions.