Social media is replete these days with not just politically inspired videos, but also anti-Indian content, many of which are uploaded from other countries. Most of these ‘influencers’ are Indians or People of Indian origin. It is almost as if they believe that living in a foreign country, particularly a ‘developed’ one, gives them the authority to lecture Indians on the basics of proper living, behaviour, even politics.
It is almost as if it is part of some planned assault on Indian’s confidence and self-respect – there is so much of it. It could also be due to diminished self-respect owing to the reel-makers’ own situation and circumstances abroad. Whatever the case may be, it is spreading a lot of negativity and some individuals can be overwhelmed by such content into a sense of inferiority, leading even to depression. (This is yet another reason for people to reduce screen time as much as possible. It is better to deal with real life difficulties rather than those imposed on oneself by the net.)
Much of the derogatory content is about ‘Indians being Indians’. While behaviour like littering, spitting, public urination is certainly reprehensible anywhere in the world and should be condemned, this is not confined to just Indians – similar behaviour by locals is often worse.
The problem is with complaints about carrying out social and community activities as is done in India. Religious processions taken out in accordance with the local regulations, dancing to Bollywood music, wedding celebrations, etc., are also denigrated. While local populations, particularly in the West, mostly enjoy such celebrations and even participate, it is ironic that it is Indian expats of a certain kind who find these ‘offensive’. Those who go abroad must conform to the local norms, but taking one’s culture to these places only enriches that of the locals, it does not diminish it in any way. And it is silly to expect people in India to be bothered about such matters.
The growing profile of Indian expats is undoubtedly creating insecurity among some sections of society in foreign lands. Being dismissed from one’s job because of having warmed ‘palak paneer’ in a common microwave oven is an example of this. But this needs to be countered by standing up and not succumbing to imposition of unacceptable norms. To, instead, further that mindset as proper, and to blame Indian culture, is merely an ‘Uncle Tom’ mindset in a new era.
