Indians are not Slumdogs, Mind You!

Posted on April 14, 2009
Filed Under Blogging, India | 7 Comments

I knew this from the beginning. The Oscar hit movie Slumdog Millionaire would backfire. I am not completely against it, but in some ways Yes I am  – because of its glum portrays of India especially the open defecation, poverty…etc. The movie apart from making millions for the Slumdog team also brought fame to the petty stars that are now riding on money. Patently, it has not helped the members of the Dharavi slum (Mumbais largest slum area) or the poor in any ways.

Here is a nitwit American talking on India, referring to Indians as slumdogs. The misogynist Rush Limbaugh while talking on the outsourcing jobs from America said, “If you’re sitting out waiting for a job that’s now being done by a slumdog in India, and you’re waiting for that job to be cancelled, for the slumdog to be thrown out of work, and you to get the job, it ain’t going to happen. It’s not the way economics works.”

The comments have already started to snowball into a controvery and have invited severe rebukes from the Indian community. One thing does make me happy – the fact that this American talk show host is not even respected in his own country. In the past too he has made such prejudiced comments on African Americans and physically disabled.

However, this man got to know what India is. While the recession-hit Americans are reeling because of lack of funds to pay their mortgage and manage their posh life, Indians here dont even feel a pinch of it. India does not need outsourcing jobs to survive rather the outsourcing world needs India to survive. When recession hit the entire world including India, it was not a severe blow for people here. We are still happy and leading our normal life. A leading survey noted that China unlike India felt the pinch of recession because of most of its exports to foreign nation, the paramount being AMERICA. In India, most of it is done within the country than abroad. So our market still grew.

Mr Rush, please note that despite recession India made a double-digit annual growth over the last decade. It is the next potential member of the permanent UN Security Council. The importance India gained in the recent G20 Summit in London is a proof of its dominance and competence. India is still growing at above 5 per cent and its rural market is booming. Our very own Home Minister Mr P. Chidambaram said, “India is by no means in a recession”.

I really dont deny the rise of unemployment, malnutrition, illiteracy, poverty in India – but that should not be a reason to make such rabid remarks on Indians. Some of the smartest brains in the world are Indians and its power is yet to be unveiled.

Mr Rush do you know that there are 3.22 Million Indians in America? 38% of Doctors in America are Indians. 12% of Scientists in America are Indians. 36% of NASA employees are Indians. 34% of MICROSOFT employees are Indians 28% of IBM employees are Indians 17% of INTEL employees are Indians 13% of XEROX employees are Indians. The WORLD needs India for its survival. :)

If the British did not conquer us – you would have really seen a different India. India was the richest country on earth until the time of British invasion in the early 17th Century. I dont have to remind you history, right?

Being the 5th largest economy in the world, we surely are not slumdogs. These senseless tags apparently hurt our sentiments. India is on its way to be the next superpower. And like my blog slogan – The Revolution has Begun, Mr!

Comments

7 Responses to “Indians are not Slumdogs, Mind You!”

  1. Dev on April 14th, 2009 2:27 pm

    Nice article :-) .

    I often keep wondering how India would be, had not the British invaded us and turned us from the richest country to one of the poorest. But still, we will push forward and become a developed country. The development of India is natural and not forced as for example in China. Where the communist party has an absolute say on what is to be done and not. So there is much hope for India and the development is stable.

    Having said that there are areas where India can do so much better and help itself in developing faster and quicker. India has much evils that it needs to eradicate itself from.

    India has a bright future and will be one of the most important countries in the world. In my opinion the question is a matter of time. When will it happen and not if.

  2. Dinakaran on April 14th, 2009 2:50 pm

    yes very good article. we need more indians to write like this produfully. One day i was traveling from chennai to delhi and one american saw me eating food and was commenting to his wife. these indians never have manners. I felt so hurt because they aer looking so down on us. Is eating with hand wrong? ok i will go to america and eat in spoon, why i dont have the freedom to eat in my hand in chennai my state? they really think we are slumdogs. i have more money than him in fact.sorry to say.Just hurt, you understand right?

  3. Indianiser on April 14th, 2009 4:50 pm

    You are right Dev, India has a bright future and it is only a matter of time :)

    @ Dinakaran

    Mr. Dinakaran do not get offended by what your neighbor in train said. Namma food romba delicious illeya? lets say dosa, roti..you really cant enjoy the dish having with fork and spoon, the western cutlery :D . I did teach some of my Chinese friends who stayed with me – the beauty of eating in hand :D . However, you should not be completely against using spoonr or fork saying it is against Indian ethos. New things should always be imbibed. If it is especially something that can be productive and can make more ease.

    Let me tell you something..they say..Indians from ancient used to eat in hand because of this idea that one should be able to enjoy the process of eating with as many of the senses as possible – taste, smell, sight, and touch. So you should in fact be proud about your culture :) I am however open to new things. My Chinese friends taught me to use chopsticks and although reluctant at beginning..later I started liking..I can pick Chinese food with ease :D

    So listen, the next time you travel in train..just let me know..we can may be even take some banana leaves and can have food in Rajani anna style..and in case there are foreigners, we will teach them to enjoy the food..ok? cool?

  4. Rony on April 14th, 2009 5:07 pm

    I was searching for Asin Thottungal and I came across this site and this post in particular is very interesting. I want to share my comments also. I am Indian working in America and after working here I realise that Indians because of their difficult upbringing and cultured families are very hardworking. I can go back to India anytime and because of this I am not going to suffer. I can survive in my country with just 3000 rupees in a month leading a good life than America. Like this post said, actually they need us, and it is not that we need them. I am a developer and work for the Java. They have increased my pay for fear of losing me. Funny isn’t it?

  5. Gopi on April 25th, 2009 3:28 pm

    Dude Sam, wonderful article. Very well articulated indeed! I myself, live in the US and always wonder why this people feel like America is heaven on earth which really isn’t. India by itself, is an amazing country and has lot of potential and talent which can take it new heights with youth making valuable contributions. It’s really important for us to raise the voice against people like the American talk show host and tell him, “look, you haven’t witnessed the best in/about India yet, calm down!!!”

  6. Jij on May 4th, 2009 3:30 am

    Superbly written Sam..well done

  7. Simran on May 8th, 2009 11:01 am

    I am proud of being an Indian. Jai Hind!!!

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