Anant's blog: Of Melbourne and of jingoism
Anant Rangaswami, 10 November, 2009
Mumbai
My daughter’s just returned from a five-month stint in Melbourne, studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
She left for Melbourne as the first reports of violence against Indian students made their appearance in Indian media. As a parent, I was concerned.
Once she was in Melbourne, each time there was a media report on an ‘anti-Indian student’ incident, I would talk to my daughter about it when next I called her up. In the first few calls – made during the first few days of her stay – she would sound nonplussed. Later, she would laugh dismissively. I stopped talking to her about this issue.
When she returned, we had a long(er) chat about it. My daughter and two (female) colleagues from NID had earned the right to a one-semester exchange program, which is what resulted in their being in Melbourne.
They landed in a strange country, staying in accommodation that they identified and finalized through the Internet.
They completed their registration formalities with ease, opened their bank accounts, found their way around Melbourne – all thanks to the helpfulness and friendliness of local citizens, employees at RMIT and other students at RMIT.
Not once did they face hostility of any kind, using public transport to get around.
All three saved money and decided to discover Australia during short breaks that they got. They visited Sydney, Cairns and Tasmania, traveling, all the time, as a three-woman Indian team.
They felt as safe, as they say, as houses.
The only instance, my daughter says, that they felt uncomfortable was when they were catching a late night train from the suburbs, when they came across gangs of Indian students who were loud, brash, drunk and obnoxious.
Not one instance otherwise.
My daughter is one of many Indian students who have or are studying in Australia.
How difficult would it have been for Indian media to talk to her? She would have been easy to find, studying as she was at Melbourne’s premier university. As would any other Indian student.
So how is it that I saw, read and heard no experience like my daughter’s in Indian media? How is it that I was fed hate and hostility? How is it that all kinds of issues such as racism were dragged into it?
I’m angry. Because Indian news media caused me (and hundreds of parents like me) to be afraid and worried rather than relaxed and happy that my daughter was doing well and having the best five months of her life.
There’s a limit to jingoism. And when jingoism causes a loss of credibility, it will cause media products to lose viewers and revenues as well.
Chew on that.
There is certain dichotomy
There is certain dichotomy in the attacks and reactions. The victims, almost entirely, are students in the various teaching shops sprung up to cater to the new educational market , while the fallout has affected the prime sector - universities.
With a multiplicity of channels, Indian TV has to hysterically flog whatever nag it can seize or deliver meaningful programmes without the catering to the lowest common denominator.
There is racism in Australia but it has to be seen in perspective
often the ones who stoke it are the wealthy, university educated political, media, religious elite - the John Howards, Fred Niles, Paul Sheehans and Miranda Devines's of the corporate world and its politcal proteges.
To all readers
This blog post is already doing what mainstream media falied to do -- presenting two points of view.
There is no doubt that there has been violence and Indians have been victims. I do not ignore this fact nor condone any violence -- against anyone, Indian or otherwise.
My brother lives in the UK, and has lived there for the past 29 years. He has been a victim of a terrible attack of hooliganism and was laid up in hospital for three months. He did not, and does not, attribute the attack to racism.
The issue that I have is one of interpretation. The incidents could have been due to any number of factors -- and, yes, one of them could be racism.
For the media to say that it is racism with the greatest authority is what irks me. Check the facts. Speak to a broad spectrum of students (and non-students) who live in Melbourne and the rest of Australia. Check whether they indicate a broad and common thread of racism or they do not.
I must underline that I did check to a significant extent -- out of concern for my daughter. I checked with friends and former (Indian) colleagues who live or lived there. I was convinced that my daughter was in a safe city in a safe country -- as far as racism was concerned. I was warned that muggings were getting more common. I was warned that travelling to and from some of the suburbs was unsafe at night -- but that all were unsafe in such situations -- even Australian.
Melbourne
Great to read your blog. As I have lived in both India for 35 years and in Melbourne for 6 I am often amused and aghast at the Indian Media's ability to hyperventilate and be constantly injured about incidents of violence - which are few compared to anything foreign women (especially) face in India, often with commendable humour and courage.
Quick to judge and condemn, I find the Indian Media rhetoric filled with shrill accusation and indignation. In contrast almost all Australian Media coverage has been introspective and mature.
The need to change and 'grow up' is not the responsibility of the western world alone.
The dangers of a single story
Hi Anant,
I have often read your blog. In this case probably because of the topic, there have been caustic remarks.
I agree with you and with Vikas.
I agree with you in that, NEWS media's one sided representation of Aus left every parent worried and with Vikas in that, one case of safe return does not mean other people were not harmed.
NEWS Media should not be biased and should present "NEWS" and not opinions.
What we often see these days is what Ms. Adichie calls the danger of a single story: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story...
Inside a hostile Australia might be a very friendly Australia and vice versa.
Regards
Surya
One swallow....
Hi Anant. I keenly follow your blogs and admire your short and pithy comments.
However this time I must say I tend to disagree. Your sample size for this article is based on heart and not on science. Yes, your daughter had a great experience but it does not mean all is well. I also know of 2 Indian students who faced racial problems. That also does not mean that everything is bad in Australia.
While media may have gone overboard on reporting the cases, in my opinion this is an issue wherein even if one genuine case happens it must be reported. And let's face it there have been enough genuine cases.
I am sure you would agree that God forbid, if something had happenend to your daughter or her friends you would not only not have written this article but would have joined the chorus of nay sayers.
My friend one swallow does not make a summer.
It
It's good to hear that your daughter, among many other Indian students, are safe in Australia. BUT, this however, serves no proof to non-violence that has been happening there since long.
There is no fire without flame. The repetitive attacks on Indian students bear testimony to Australia's jingoism.
Happy for your daughter though. May Peace Prevails!
@Michael
Michael,
Let's keep religion out of this, please.
I've deleted a comment from Michael Chowpatty which contained references to religion.
The rest of the comments read as follows:
"Are you in the pay of RMIT? They are one of the worst perpetrators.
When I studied there I saw many examples of bullying and condescending talk from teachers to Indian students."
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