Slumdog or millionaire?

One of the most famous and successful movies about India,  Slumdog Millionaire, thrust India into the spotlight. A great movie that depicts an Indian youth from the slums of India winning millions overnight, it has essentially captured the perception that the world has about the country.

Although I suspect most Indians won’t mind if the movie was true about them winning millions, too.

Besides the Taj Mahal, the general image of India is that of a giant slum, or at least a lot more backwards than most parts of the world. While it is true that life in India is definitely not as comfortable and cushy as life in Australia or other developed countries, it’s really quite unfair that the whole country – the seventh largest country and second most populated in the world! It’s no wonder that the common image of India is that of a slum, seeing that most documentaries and even news articles give much more attention to the poor and needy.

This is India (and also Asia’s largest slum)…

… But so is this

Both pictures above are even of the same city of Mumbai, but not many people are aware of the glittering side of the city where skyscrapers tower and vehicles are abundant. This could either be a pleasant surprise or shock to travelers, especially if they traveled specifically for the experience of seeing how people live below the poverty line. It’s quite rude since these travelers make the plight of these slum dwellers a source of entertainment for them.

Reducing India simply to an imagined country of slums has many negative effects. For one, tourists (unlike travelers) would tend to shun the country for fear that it is unsafe and/or unsanitary. India is a country of diverse cultures and languages and even standards of living, and it’s wholly a waste for this land with so much to offer to be passed aside.