|
|
Post by Wyvern on Jan 15, 2012 18:54:32 GMT
I've read some excellent articles by various Indian journalists (I don't have links because I've stumbled upon them unintentionally) that have pointed out that actually, most of India is NOT offended, if only because large parts of India have far bigger things to worry about than some people being a bit silly. They point out that India does have a problem with poverty, that India does have issues with sanitation, that foreigners do get sick, and that anyone who thinks a man taking his trousers off is a bigger issue than, say, caste discrimination or Eve teasing is removing international attention from things that really do need to be dealt with - issues that the rest of the world might be able to help with. They also point out that India does have a sense of humour, and they don't want the world to believe that everyone is like the people complaining.
But of course, that doesn't fit with the story the media wants to tell.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivienne on Jan 15, 2012 19:26:52 GMT
And that caste system includes the practice, even though illegal of the widow being burned to death.
|
|
|
|
Post by amie8 on Jan 16, 2012 0:08:13 GMT
I'm not sure why any country should expect to control the way it's portrayed by others anyway. Many will visit it - not everyone will love it, although TG clearly did.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wyvern on Jan 16, 2012 13:48:24 GMT
I'm not sure why any country should expect to control the way it's portrayed by others anyway. Many will visit it - not everyone will love it, although TG clearly did. See, this is something that constantly baffles me with the criticisms of TG's overseas films - there has never been one where they've said a country is all bad or that they've hated being there or that the people are dreadful. Yes, they've highlighted issues - like poverty, criminality and the effects of the drug trade, albeit in a lighthearted way - and I've been inspired to learn more about the countries they've gone to because they've shown things I didn't know - and often in a more positive light than programmes like the News. I mean, I'd no idea that the Middle East was like that, and I wanted to know more about Vietnam (I intend to visit when this blasted recession buggers off) and Bolivia. I think this was less pronounced with India because there was less emphasis on communities and cultures, and less interaction with ordinary people (which is why the cricket segment was quite magical in comparison with the rest of the show), but they showed that for all its poverty and chaos, India is a beautiful country and one where they were very welcome. I don't think that's a bad reflection on a place at all. |
|
|
|
Post by dit on Jan 16, 2012 17:35:08 GMT
You forget the knock-on effects, don't you? Apparently the mower that James enjoyed so much was an Allett Buffalo 24. The firm have posted this on their website: The immense pulling power of Top Gear was highlighted immediately after the broadcast when the Allett website recorded a 200 per cent jump in unique visits compared with a normal weekday evening, due in no small way to Top Gear's audience of 5 million viewers on the night........ They're obviously very pleased, so .......Following a thorough inspection, a re-grind and service, the mower is now part of the Allett demonstration fleet with quite an interesting history already behind it. www.pitchcare.com/magazine/allett-buffalo-mower-joins-top-gears-trade-mission-to-india.html |
|
|
|
Post by jacqui on Jan 16, 2012 19:24:54 GMT
Perhaps they will present James with one, it can sit in the garage with the other mower he doesn't need ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by dit on Jan 17, 2012 18:42:40 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by dit on Jan 20, 2012 20:12:43 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivienne on Jan 20, 2012 20:34:31 GMT
I read a brief article from an Indian woman who stated pretty much the same. What was the problem? Great article Dit.
|
|
|
|
Post by devil-may-care on Jan 20, 2012 20:51:52 GMT
Great article! ;D
Thanks, dit!
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivienne on Jan 21, 2012 21:44:09 GMT
I've just watched the India Special again. I didn't find anything to complain about. At least they had fans in the train. In 1970 I was on nearly a 2 day train without fans or any type of cooling. It gets better each time I see it. Maybe people are complaining because it is the real India.
|
|
|
|
Post by dit on Feb 2, 2012 0:29:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by FizzyLogician on Apr 17, 2012 0:14:17 GMT
The India SPecial is finally being shown on BBCA tonight. I have never seen it before, and I'm so excited that I can't stand it! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivienne on Apr 17, 2012 0:20:28 GMT
I'm going to miss the first hour because Bones is finally on. I've seen India about 3 times. It will be interesting to see what is cut and bleeped compared to the UK version!
|
|
|
|
Post by Wyvern on Apr 17, 2012 13:48:52 GMT
You'll probably lose the 'Hey Jude' section on the train. It's not in the DVD release. Licensing Beatles songs is always notoriously tricky - the band will end up singing 'Sewong the Seeds of Love' by Tears For Fears instead...
|
|
|
|
Post by FizzyLogician on Apr 17, 2012 14:26:44 GMT
All right...I thought it was good, but not outstanding. A lot of classic TG-type pranks. I thought what they did was fine, but what they omitted was a shame. They could have shown much more of India, like they did in the Bolivia and Vietnam specials. I added a 7 to the voting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivienne on Apr 23, 2012 23:30:20 GMT
It's on again now. I think it's been on at least 8 times. I'm looking forward to the first episode on TV instead of on my computer.
|
|
I love a man who can handle a gun 
