India

Ноя 15

by Brit Muscovite

We find it very important to know what do other people think about us. Do you agree? With this purpose I’d like to start today a new theme in this blog - attitude of russian people to different countries and nations. Before you go to Moscow, let you inform about.

Article by Ivanova V. www.fom.ru

India

As the majority of those surveyed believe, India is a friendly state to Russia (83%), with as little as 4% regarding it as unfriendly.

Asked to name the Indian capital, 57% gave a correct answer and 40% found it difficult to answer the question. Those who demonstrated better knowledge on this issue are university graduates (80%), residents of megapolises (71%) and men (65%).

78% answered an open-ended question: «What comes to your mind first of all when you heard the word `India'?»

The biggest number of responses (25%) contain cultural associations, caused by movies and television series. Some speak of those films with admiration, others with apparent sarcasm:
• "Movies with marvelous music.»
• "Cinema empire."
• "Indian serials."
• "Indian movies that make you weep."
• "Sappy films."
Less often, the respondents recalled that India is also famous for other arts:
• "The Taj Mahal, a historical castle."
• "Architecture, monuments."
Another 4% of those surveyed in Russia mentioned Indian religious and conceptual traditions:
• "Tibet, Buddha."
• "Yoga."
• "Nirvana."
One-fifth of those interviewed (19%) mentioned Indian imports into Russia and highly appreciate the quality of Indian goods:
• "A tea supplier."
• "Quality fruits, tasty coffee."
• "Medicines, wonderful fabrics."
The respondents demonstrated a very general notion of India's geographical specifics. Theses are, first of all, the country's location and climate (12%):
• "It's practically on the equator."
• "Tropical climate."
• "A big Asian state."
About the same percentage of interviewees (11%) mentioned India's exotic flora and fauna:
• "Diverse nature, jungle, lianas."
• "Homeland of elephants."
8% mentioned particularities of the Indian population. Some respondents simply stated that India is one of the world's most populous countries:
• "Second in world population."
• "A high population density."
• "As many people as ants."
Bright visual images of Indian movie characters in many ways form the image of the Indians. Russian speak much about the appearance of the Indian people, but almost nothing about their national character:
• «A country of wonderful and beautiful people.»
• "Sun-burnt people in turbans."
• "People in light clothes."
• "Girls with beauty spots."
• "Beautiful women, tough men."
In terms of economic development, India is basically thought of as a poor and backward country (7%), a «third world» nation:
• "Low living standards."
• "A backward country."
Remarkably, some respondents don't distinguish India from Brazil, an economically better-off country, which also produces soap operas:
• "Poverty, like in Brazil."
When compared to Russia, Indian is seen as a much poorer country:
• "They are many times worse-off that we are."
A mere 1% believe that life in India is better than in Russia:
• «It used to be poor, but went far ahead.»
• "A highly developed nation, their paupers live better than residents of Ulyanovsk. "
Historical associations with India (7%), such as the country's colonial past and its political and spiritual leaders (Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma and Indira Gandhi), were also mentioned:
• "A British colony."
• "Their leaders – Indira Gandhi and others, the dynasty."
On the whole, Russians feel favorable towards India, calling it: «our reliable friend,» «a marvelous country,» and «a good state.»