For the long time now India is being portrayed as backward and poor country by foreigners as well as our own media. There are books, TV shows, movies and what not that paints this biased image of India. People from other countries come to visit our lands; they click photos of poor beggars and such and publish it in books or post it on media where the world could see it. 

 

The movie Slumdog Millionaire is one of the many examples which portray the backward image of India. But we can’t only blame the foreign media because even our own movie industry has done the same with many movies. The main problem with these movies is that they only show one side of the coin, a side of poverty, illiteracy and a closed mindset. But every coin has two sides and the side where India is one of the fastest growing economy in the world, where people are educated, smart and have the capacity of ruling the world class companies; this side of Indian culture, Indian mind-set is rarely shown.

 

Although, once upon a time, we had been a poor country, what with foreign invaders destroying it inside-out but it had something much more than just the wealth counted in gold. We always read in history textbooks that India was richest country in the world, so much so that even the smoke coming out of chimneys was oozing gold. And this smoke created the lust in foreign invaders which became the doom of India’s richness. But we had something more, something that although now is somewhat changed from its original status but nonetheless remains the same. It’s the rich culture and philosophy thats ingrained in this land.

 

Foreign invaders like Mughals and British ruled this country for centuries. If asked for opinions many would say that these invaders brought many developmental changes in India. They would say that India was very poor and they made it beautiful with tajmahals and railway tracks. Although, the credit for Tajmahal and railway or post offices goes to these invaders, still the question arises, that was India really as poor as they say? Because if so, than why come here in the first place? It’s not like we were neighbours of Britain that they felt the need to expand their lands. No, they came all the way across the seven seas. I can’t agree that it came out of blue, that one day they all gathered and decided we should expand overseas. No, something brought them here, something worth taking the risk for. It was the richness of this land.

 

Though, what these foreigners forgot to notice was that the richness of this land was its people. We didn’t have the mines of gold or diamonds. We didn’t have the most fertile soil. But we had the talent; we had the knowledge that went deeper than this physical world. We had faith in powers unknown to mankind. Indian richness never was counted in gold. It was not what we had in our homes but what we have in our hearts. And for common people to understand this deeper knowledge without disturbing there day to day life, the intellectuals created the concept of “God”.

 

But nowadays, even this concept is tainted. The meaning of “God” is being limited to the structure made out of stone, wood or what not. A very popular scene from movie called PK portrays it correctly. The lead actor of the movie, Amir Khan, picks up the rock from side of the road, paints it in red with chewing paan in his pocket, places the rock under a tree in front of the college gate and puts some coins in front of the rock. Than he says “our shop is inaugurated, now wait and see, we will start earning profit in no time.” 

 

People laugh after watching this scene because meaning behind these idols is lost. The purpose it served once upon a time is now corrupted by the people who can only think about themselves. But it’s changing. Foreign invaders nearly destroyed our culture but the knowledge remains. And people of this country have started finding their feet again. They are once again turning towards the original philosophy of this land. A philosophy which was created for people to stay in touch with their Maker, to stay in touch with Mother Nature. Because when an idol is placed under a tree or even the trees are part of the faith, they are not cut down for industrial revolution, hence, triggering the global warming. Instead this faith has helped create a balance between human needs and nature, so that Earth remains beautiful and useful for generations to come. 

 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not promoting a campaign about opening temples in every corner of every street. What we need to understand here is that Indian culture is made with a very important goal in mind. A goal of keeping nature intact so that not only we but even the 100 or 1000 generations after us can benefit from it. Yes, it’s true that many people changed the meanings of these concepts for their selfish benefits, but the time once again is changing. People are once again trying to understand the deeper meaning and knowledge of Indian philosophy. 

 

But coming to the point about India’s image in the world. We don’t see many movies or anything else which shows this changing, growing mind-set of Indian people. It pains me to see that a movie like Slumdog Millionaire is recognized on a world platform but nobody makes any effort to show the real growth of this country. So, it’s time for us to stop it this. It’s time for us to show the world what we can do. Only one Sundar Pichai or Indra Nooyi can’t change these biases. We have to work together; we have to work with belief. Not only for the benefit of our image in the world but because the philosophy of this country has the power to change the perspectives, to change the world, to make it a better place, a healthier place. 

 

So don’t be influenced by western culture, don’t be obsessed with white skin and electronic gadgets. Connect with your inner self instead, connect with nature and grow.