Mangalyaan: Haters Gonna Hate

Sakshi Jain

Every time the Indians are featured in news with achieving a milestone the western media throws statistics or opinions about India’s poverty ridden or hunger stricken population to highlight their shock and despair at such a possibility.

On 24th September, 2014 in its very first attempt ISRO succeeded in inserting the Mangalyaan in Mars’ orbit. A feat accomplished by none before and which has now become a source of pride and celebration for India.

This trend of belittling India’s efforts could be seen all the way back in 2008 when India entered the space research platform with the spacecraft Chradrayaan which orbited the moon. Considering the social and financial situation which exists in India, this moment was plunged in mockery instead of being appreciated.

The American news channel Fox News, ridiculed India’s capabilities and ran the headline “Whoa, where’s they learn to do that!” making the fact that India also consists of scientists and engineers a piece of news. Fast forward to 2014, India’s mission to Mars has been a phenomenal success yet Fox News’s view was “It’s also a major feat for the developing country of 1.2 billion people, most of whom are poor”.

The New York Times went to the extent of publishing a racist cartoon outlining their shock and disbelief at India joining the “Elite Space Club”. They portrayed India as a poor farmer with his sombre looking cow. The newspaper clearly tried to disparage India’s achievement and also display America’s disappointment at India succeeding in their mission even after imposing several obstacles for them.

It’s not just the Americans, but The Guardian from England sensationalised news focusing on the views and actions of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad instead of the mission itself. They wanted to reflect India as a blindly religious and superstitious country whose practices and traditions can never match up to the logic of the west.

The New York Times published a racist cartoon mocking India's Mangalyaan Mission

Similarly, the British Broadcasting Corp. threw spotlight on India’s socio-economic conditions thereby commenting “Many, however, say this bid to reach Mars is a ‘delusional dream’ of India seeking super-power status since 400 million Indians still live without electricity and 600 million people still do not have access to toilets”. Looks like the British are still hung up in the colonial period.

But countries like Russia have reported the news in a matter of fact manner, outlining India’s technological ability in building the spacecraft and manoeuvring it. As well as India’s joining the league consisting of the US, Russia and the European Union in launching a space mission to Mars. China as well gave India the nod of appreciation even though they have been unable to succeed in their mission calling this event a win for the entire Asia region.

There are always going to be critics and their opinions cannot always be countered. But the ones made by the western media are purely stereotypical and aim to deny India it’s much deserved glory. But India triumphs above all with the dexterity of her workforce and the mere label of a developing country.