18 ANSWERS
Mikhail Kotykhov, Helping people learn practical skills. Learn by doing.
Mikhail is a Most Viewed Writer in Russian Ethnicity and People.
Originally Answered: What do Russian people think about India? What is the image of India among Russians?
Thank you for A2A. It is an excellent question and I would be glad to share my opinion.
Also, I will try to focus on cultural aspects rather than political.
There is just too much focus recently on the latter, while the former does not get enough attention.
In short:
India is very well-known, and most Russians would say it is a good friend. Yet, it is unique, it is intriguing and mysterious.
Just you go to http://Yandex.ru, the most frequently used Russian search engine, and type:
культура индии фото
or "Indian culture photo", and see what you get.
Image: File:Cowmeenakshi.jpg
Question 1. What do Russians know about India?
Quite a lot, actually.
(1) Movies
Almost everyone in Russia and former Soviet Union countries knows Indian movies. They were very frequent on Russian/Soviet TV at that time. Many people genuinely love it. They are not only colourful, but also emotional, sincere and even exotic.
Surprisingly, the name "Bollywood" is a lot more often used in the Western countries than in Russia. I honestly don't know why. People in Russia just say "Indian movies" instead.
(2) Cooperation projects
Many Russian people and organizations were involved into joint cooperation projects with India. Obviously, it benefits both countries and helps people get the first-hand experience of a different culture.
(3) Indian folklore/fairy-tales/lege
For me, personally, it was the very first encounter with the Indian culture - a book of Indian fairy-tales. It was very exotic at that time, but very interesting - it did inspire me to learn more about Indian culture later.
These would be mostly stereotypical images going through my head when I was reading it - jungle, elephant, tiger, maharajah, palaces with lots of gold - that's all not true in the contemporary India, but I guess it was a good start to my own cultural learning.
(4) Indian students
Particularly in the medical field, it was quite common to find Indian students in Moscow, as well as in other cities.
Question 2. What Russians don't know about India?
(1) Indian Food
Until very recently, it was almost unknown in Russia.
It's a shame, I know :)
Now there are a few restaurants, although I cannot judge the quality of food, perhaps it might not be the same as original.
(2) Indian business culture
Its still a bit of a mystery. And not only to Russians. How do people make business decisions? How do they choose business partners? How does the subordination system work in Indian companies? And many other questions...
Only very few Russian people who lived and worked in India will have some clues. Others just keep guessing.
Please tell us more about that. We really wanna know :)
(3) Cultural differences inside India
I know a bit about it myself, because I had a chance to interact with Indian people from various regions and cultures.
But most Russians, in my experience, are not aware of the fact that there are hundreds of different cultures inside India and that these cultures are so different.
Conclusion
Russians know quite a lot about India, but it is mostly an old, and I, would say, a movie-influenced image. I am sure they want to know more about the recent changes in Indian society.
These are just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
I might be able to elaborate more on various other cultural aspects, if you ask me.
Please don't hesitate to comment on my answer or ask questions, I will try to give constant updates.
Also, I will try to focus on cultural aspects rather than political.
There is just too much focus recently on the latter, while the former does not get enough attention.
In short:
India is very well-known, and most Russians would say it is a good friend. Yet, it is unique, it is intriguing and mysterious.
Just you go to http://Yandex.ru, the most frequently used Russian search engine, and type:
культура индии фото
or "Indian culture photo", and see what you get.
Image: File:Cowmeenakshi.jpg
Question 1. What do Russians know about India?
Quite a lot, actually.
(1) Movies
Almost everyone in Russia and former Soviet Union countries knows Indian movies. They were very frequent on Russian/Soviet TV at that time. Many people genuinely love it. They are not only colourful, but also emotional, sincere and even exotic.
Surprisingly, the name "Bollywood" is a lot more often used in the Western countries than in Russia. I honestly don't know why. People in Russia just say "Indian movies" instead.
(2) Cooperation projects
Many Russian people and organizations were involved into joint cooperation projects with India. Obviously, it benefits both countries and helps people get the first-hand experience of a different culture.
(3) Indian folklore/fairy-tales/lege
For me, personally, it was the very first encounter with the Indian culture - a book of Indian fairy-tales. It was very exotic at that time, but very interesting - it did inspire me to learn more about Indian culture later.
These would be mostly stereotypical images going through my head when I was reading it - jungle, elephant, tiger, maharajah, palaces with lots of gold - that's all not true in the contemporary India, but I guess it was a good start to my own cultural learning.
(4) Indian students
Particularly in the medical field, it was quite common to find Indian students in Moscow, as well as in other cities.
Question 2. What Russians don't know about India?
(1) Indian Food
Until very recently, it was almost unknown in Russia.
It's a shame, I know :)
Now there are a few restaurants, although I cannot judge the quality of food, perhaps it might not be the same as original.
(2) Indian business culture
Its still a bit of a mystery. And not only to Russians. How do people make business decisions? How do they choose business partners? How does the subordination system work in Indian companies? And many other questions...
Only very few Russian people who lived and worked in India will have some clues. Others just keep guessing.
Please tell us more about that. We really wanna know :)
(3) Cultural differences inside India
I know a bit about it myself, because I had a chance to interact with Indian people from various regions and cultures.
But most Russians, in my experience, are not aware of the fact that there are hundreds of different cultures inside India and that these cultures are so different.
Conclusion
Russians know quite a lot about India, but it is mostly an old, and I, would say, a movie-influenced image. I am sure they want to know more about the recent changes in Indian society.
These are just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
I might be able to elaborate more on various other cultural aspects, if you ask me.
Please don't hesitate to comment on my answer or ask questions, I will try to give constant updates.
Valentin Filippov, a Russian from Saint-Petersburg
Valentin is a Most Viewed Writer in Russian Ethnicity and People.
Originally Answered: What do Russians think about India?
For Russians, India is:
UPD: Something that definitely impacted this image of India.
The legendary Indian tea package from Soviet times.
- The land of fairy tales and legends, beautiful princes and princesses, majestic palaces and ceremonies, mystical jungle and mighty animals. It is the land where magic is still possible, and the world has not become dull yet.
- The spiritual source. The territory of jogi and wise old men. The place where you can go and find peace in your own soul. The country where people still retain the old secrets of the world. Russians are traditionally very serious about spiritual life. Unfortunately, today our own roots within the Orthodox church are lost for the most of us. So we often go to India in search of answers to eternal questions.
- The country of warm weather and welcoming nature, which is great to hide into during our own harsh winter.
- The country of poor, but happy people. Where everybody is smiling, and people don't bother too much if they are not rich. Where nobody is in a hurry, and people know how to live their lives.
UPD: Something that definitely impacted this image of India.
The legendary Indian tea package from Soviet times.
Anonymous
11.8k Views
Originally Answered: What do Russian people think about India? What is the image of India among Russians?
Forgive me that in a great extent I don't answer in general. My perception says me that my countrymen mostly have very blurry image of India, full of stereotypes ingrained by propaganda during soviet era and stories from that who visited Goa. Probably it's some kind of missionary (you can easily trace it in this answer) and hypocritical (this I hope excluded from the answer) attitude. Albeit there should be some kind of study to answer definitely. Of course there are some minor groups of Russians who have deeper understanding and more realistic view on India. Though in my atheistic point of view most of them somehow bogged in mystical aspect of your country. For example there is whole Форум about India and it's pal countries in Russian.
As you can guess I decided to write my personal opinion what India is.
Country of insights. This answer is probably more about myself. Definitely in missionary parts:-)
Charming, mesmerizing , friendly country.Narrow streets packed with various merchants and wallahs, empty railway stations during nights that warm as mother's breathe, temple that popping from the darkness outside of train, shining with thousands light bulbs, hypnotizing with rotating swastikas. Servant who fed crows, cobbler who treated rats lived under his stall with his lunch. Connection between people and critters, which western society looses. People who suddenly help and suddenly disappear. Whom I didn't manage even express a gratitude. My friend who helped me a lot in various ways.
I like you and your country! I'm hesitating to say love but near that:-)
As you can guess I decided to write my personal opinion what India is.
- Country of unbelievable dirt. As person who's second nature is mess and dirt, I felt myself pretty fine ;-) Though was shocked for a first few weeks. Than relaxed and been himself. This is not perceived bad emotionally but this is probably ineffective. And should be improved not blindly copying West but rather proactively constructing convenient environment.
- Country of a fierce competition due to population, therefore higher education institutions occupied with people who's mean IQ 1sd higher than mediocre Russian student. Along with this fact, and probably contradictory, drill learning is widely practiced. Improving of economical situation along with increasing of perceiving human life as value itself (which I believe should be motivator for 1st), would improve situation with rat race. Allowing smart to be creative, and mediocre just feel OK.
- Country of darkness as Aravind Adiga described that in his "White tiger". Which make me feel really sad. I deeply felt it by the end of my second visit. l occasionally helped some poor people but this is only drop of water in a desert. I believe your nation will overcome this. But it will take at least 1 generation. Sad.
- Country of yummy cuisine! Especially south. Vada, Pani puri, even plain roties from street stall near my hostel. mmm)
- Briticisms are in the language.
- Railroad tracks are surprisingly good laid. I mean that trains in Russia more prone to hopping;-)
- Country of fuzzy no. No is rarely said directly.
- Rapidly modernizing/industrializi
ng country. Yeah I saw that modern 5 coordinate CNCs even in small workshops along with British raj era machinery.
Country of insights. This answer is probably more about myself. Definitely in missionary parts:-)
Charming, mesmerizing , friendly country.Narrow streets packed with various merchants and wallahs, empty railway stations during nights that warm as mother's breathe, temple that popping from the darkness outside of train, shining with thousands light bulbs, hypnotizing with rotating swastikas. Servant who fed crows, cobbler who treated rats lived under his stall with his lunch. Connection between people and critters, which western society looses. People who suddenly help and suddenly disappear. Whom I didn't manage even express a gratitude. My friend who helped me a lot in various ways.
I like you and your country! I'm hesitating to say love but near that:-)
Originally Answered: What do Russian people think about India? What is the image of India among Russians?
I guess the stereotype goes like this: highly spiritual people that live in horrible conditions and speak accented English. A lot of them work at Google and Microsoft, even more of them work at callcenters. Also, Bollywood movies, Zita & Gita, stuff like that.
Originally Answered: What do Russians think about India and Indians?
Despite the fact that an increasing number of Russians and Indians are visiting each other’s countries, the common person in both countries still lacks adequate knowledge of customs, traditions and the general culture and the people of the other country. Russians have long been fascinated by India, a country, which has always been looked upon as exotic, colourful and exciting, but sometimes have funny ideas about Indians. Here are the most common stereotypes about Indians in Russia.
1. Everyone mediates and is a yoga expert
India is obviously known for its spirituality, and being the birthplace of yoga and philosophies that emphasise meditation like Buddhism has made many a Russian think that being an Indian equals being some sort of spiritual person who can perform all sorts of yogic asanas. I can never forget my first ever yoga class in Russia when there were more eyes on me than on the instructor. It was doubly embarrassing since my yoga skills were never something I could be proud of, let alone qualify me to teach others.
2. All Indians are vegetarians
Related:
I am not ashamed of being a meat-lover and I enjoy my shashliks as much as any Russian does and yes, my agnostic beliefs forbid me from considering any animal holy or unclean. Imagine my horror after accepting a (post-winter hike) dinner invitation only to find out that my considerate host went out of her way to cook a completely vegetarian meal! I was looking forward to being a complete carnivore after struggling through the cold winter trek in the mountains and there was an array of potato dishes and salads.
Many of my Russian friends were genuinely shocked to know that it is possible to be a vegetarian and a Hindu. Well, the Rajputs didn’t become such a strong and tough lot by making lentils their main source of protein.
3. Bollywood movies
Why is it so hard to believe that there are a large number of people from Bombay, the home of Bollywood, who just don’t like the traditional three-hourlong musical Indian films? Hindi films are definitely not as popular in Russia as they were in the Soviet days but then there are those who swear by them. I hate to break the hearts of some of these people by telling them that I am not a fan of most Hindi films. What happened to judging each film based on its merits? I would apply the same yardstick to Russian or Hollywood movies for that matter.
4. Indians are by and large followers of Gandhi
Although the recent press coverage about gang rapes have made many rethink about how they view India, most people in Russia still associate the country with Mahatma Gandhi. “You must have a photo of Gandhi in your house?” – There is no way I can possibly describe the expression of shock on the face of the person who asked me that question when I responded in the negative.
Other Russian friends of mine who were impressed with Richard Attenborough’s film on the non-violent freedom fighter expressed dismay when they interacted with urban Indians who didn’t have nice things to say about Gandhiji. “In one month in Bangalore, I heard more bad things about Gandhi than I heard in 40 years in my life in Moscow and Berlin,” a Russian journalist and close friend of mine said after a business trip to India’s information technology capital.
India may not have the gun culture of the United States or have to deal with drunken hooliganism on the streets like some countries in Eastern Europe, but it can hardly be classified as a society of non-violent Gandhians. Perhaps the fact that such a stereotype exists may be a testament to how good Indian diplomacy has been in Russia all these years.
5. The Indian head shake
I am willing to admit that many relatives and friends of mine are practitioners of the Indian head shake, but it is not as common as Russians (or any foreigners) make it out to be. It’s rather irritating to get the head shake from Russians who have been to southern India and think that this is some form of endearment.
Some Russian spouses of Indians have also managed to pick up this habit and have made it a normal part of their communication repertoire. Of course, I am more than willing to excuse these people who have formed a habit of doing the head shake than those who want to show it as some form of affection.
1. Everyone mediates and is a yoga expert
India is obviously known for its spirituality, and being the birthplace of yoga and philosophies that emphasise meditation like Buddhism has made many a Russian think that being an Indian equals being some sort of spiritual person who can perform all sorts of yogic asanas. I can never forget my first ever yoga class in Russia when there were more eyes on me than on the instructor. It was doubly embarrassing since my yoga skills were never something I could be proud of, let alone qualify me to teach others.
2. All Indians are vegetarians
Related:
Many of my Russian friends were genuinely shocked to know that it is possible to be a vegetarian and a Hindu. Well, the Rajputs didn’t become such a strong and tough lot by making lentils their main source of protein.
3. Bollywood movies
Why is it so hard to believe that there are a large number of people from Bombay, the home of Bollywood, who just don’t like the traditional three-hourlong musical Indian films? Hindi films are definitely not as popular in Russia as they were in the Soviet days but then there are those who swear by them. I hate to break the hearts of some of these people by telling them that I am not a fan of most Hindi films. What happened to judging each film based on its merits? I would apply the same yardstick to Russian or Hollywood movies for that matter.
4. Indians are by and large followers of Gandhi
Although the recent press coverage about gang rapes have made many rethink about how they view India, most people in Russia still associate the country with Mahatma Gandhi. “You must have a photo of Gandhi in your house?” – There is no way I can possibly describe the expression of shock on the face of the person who asked me that question when I responded in the negative.
Other Russian friends of mine who were impressed with Richard Attenborough’s film on the non-violent freedom fighter expressed dismay when they interacted with urban Indians who didn’t have nice things to say about Gandhiji. “In one month in Bangalore, I heard more bad things about Gandhi than I heard in 40 years in my life in Moscow and Berlin,” a Russian journalist and close friend of mine said after a business trip to India’s information technology capital.
India may not have the gun culture of the United States or have to deal with drunken hooliganism on the streets like some countries in Eastern Europe, but it can hardly be classified as a society of non-violent Gandhians. Perhaps the fact that such a stereotype exists may be a testament to how good Indian diplomacy has been in Russia all these years.
5. The Indian head shake
I am willing to admit that many relatives and friends of mine are practitioners of the Indian head shake, but it is not as common as Russians (or any foreigners) make it out to be. It’s rather irritating to get the head shake from Russians who have been to southern India and think that this is some form of endearment.
Some Russian spouses of Indians have also managed to pick up this habit and have made it a normal part of their communication repertoire. Of course, I am more than willing to excuse these people who have formed a habit of doing the head shake than those who want to show it as some form of affection.
Originally Answered: What do Russians think of Indians?
I've never been to India, I'm not acquainted personally to any citizen of India, but my appartment in Moscow is situated not far from the square named in honour of Indira Gandhi. May be I am that average Russian.
When I was a teenager I collected stamps. One of them was devoted to a telephone conversation between L.Brezhnev and I.Gandhi. It was a special event because they used a stratospheric connection or something of that kind. Then I travelled to Central Asia and noticed that when Uzbeks went to the cinema with their male-friends they watched something Chinese or American with Bruce Lee and when visiting a cinema-theatre accompanied by a girl-friend they chose Indian films. Raj Kapur was very popular.
Of course I heard about Shambala and Rerikh, problems with Pakistan and severe Indian microbes which are very dangerous for non-Indians.
I know those times of "rusi-rusi, bhai-bhai" are deeply in the past. I think that an average Indian would prefer to communicate with an American than with me. But I try to keep my positive thinking to India because scholars in Russia during their History lessons are still taught about a famous trip of Afanasiy Nikitin to India.
When I was a teenager I collected stamps. One of them was devoted to a telephone conversation between L.Brezhnev and I.Gandhi. It was a special event because they used a stratospheric connection or something of that kind. Then I travelled to Central Asia and noticed that when Uzbeks went to the cinema with their male-friends they watched something Chinese or American with Bruce Lee and when visiting a cinema-theatre accompanied by a girl-friend they chose Indian films. Raj Kapur was very popular.
Of course I heard about Shambala and Rerikh, problems with Pakistan and severe Indian microbes which are very dangerous for non-Indians.
I know those times of "rusi-rusi, bhai-bhai" are deeply in the past. I think that an average Indian would prefer to communicate with an American than with me. But I try to keep my positive thinking to India because scholars in Russia during their History lessons are still taught about a famous trip of Afanasiy Nikitin to India.
Originally Answered: What do Russians think of Indians?
It's a slippery question. Never been to India, but I work a lot with Indian engineers and some of my friends are Indian. Like every other nation, some people fit cultural stereotypes better than others. My greatest difficulty when working with them, is their tendency to avoid changing their code at all costs. It feels sometimes that for them it's a personal issue. They dislike to be wrong and when they're wrong they make every effort possible to make it look as if they were right. I suspect this might come from the fact that their school/university environment is ultra competitive and it makes negative impact on their ability to collaborate. It also makes those engineers too much result oriented for my liking. Work aside, I like a lot of aspects of Hindu religion and their philosophy towards life. I thoroughly dislike caste system and relative disinterest in sports (other than cricket). Love the food, especially ayurvedic cooking.
Originally Answered: What do Russians think of Indians?
Hi! My personal attitude to India and it's people is very positive. I've never been to India, but I'm going to visit it some day (hopefully soon). So, my attitude is based on those pieces of Indian culture, that we can study here in the middle of Russia.
From here it looks to me like every Indian has a deeply philosophical uderstanding of life, very high moral and spiritual values, that are consistently destroyed in western culture, where $$$ is now the one and only value that people pursuit. But thats only how I feel it.
My own attitude to life (and death by the way) has changed a lot since I got interested in Indian culture, it's spiritual practices, Vedas, and great people.
I'm shure that average Russian is much closer to India than he thinks! ;)
And I hope our counries will get much closer to each other in the future!
From here it looks to me like every Indian has a deeply philosophical uderstanding of life, very high moral and spiritual values, that are consistently destroyed in western culture, where $$$ is now the one and only value that people pursuit. But thats only how I feel it.
My own attitude to life (and death by the way) has changed a lot since I got interested in Indian culture, it's spiritual practices, Vedas, and great people.
I'm shure that average Russian is much closer to India than he thinks! ;)
And I hope our counries will get much closer to each other in the future!
Originally Answered: What do Russians think about India and Indians?
India and Russia has always been one of the closest allies.Russia has always supported India.During 1971 war,Russia protected India from USA 7 fleet,which was coming to vaporize Calcutta.Even in UNSC Russia has always supported India.Russia is one of the biggest arm supplier to India.
Bollywood is very popular among Russian,specially Raj Kapoor and his movies.Here one video from Russia Day Celebration,2010 in which 2 Russian Soldiers are singing very famous song from the movie Shree 420 "Mera Joota Hai Japani" and that too in Hindi.
Mera joota hai Japani (My shoes are Japanese)Ye patloon Inglistani (These trousers are English)Sar pe lal topi Roosi (The red cap on my head is Russian)Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani (But still, however, my heart is Indian)
Chris Kemp, CEO Paladin Consultants, LLC, a software/web consulting company in Northern NJ
15.6k Views
Originally Answered: What do Russian people think about India? What is the image of India among Russians?
Thanks for the A2A, but I am sure you would be more qualified to answer than I, judging from your name.
I believe that the Russian government actively tries to cultivate friendly relations with India for trade purposes. And I know that the Russian, Chinese and Brazilian central banks are attempting to put together a multilateral trade relationship exchanging their currencies to avoid payments in dollars (the so-called BRIC currency bloc).
But your question seemed to be more of a sociological one. I think that the number of Indian people in Russia is small compared to the Indian population in the US. And that what Indians there are in Russia are confined to the metropolitan areas, and concentrated in the medical and technology fields. Language is a problem, and it could well be that most of the social and business transactions between Russians and Indians living there are conducted in English.
The Russians living here in the US that I have known are generous and warmhearted. I know that generalizations are dangerous, but I sense that a cultural divide may separate them in many cases: I sense that Russians are sentimental, Indians not so much. Russians are sensitive to social nuances and emotions. Indians are more direct and to-the-point.
I would suspect that neither country has a large expatriate community from the other country. So there would be not a great support system for expatriates in either country.
There are a number of Russo_Indian trade associations and Chambers of Commerce you might contact should you want to pursue your question further (they are on Google). I believe that this question is one better answered in person rather than on a forum such as this because you can better target your information source, and, through conversation, get a better feel for your interviewee's probity, knowledge and sincerity.
I believe that the Russian government actively tries to cultivate friendly relations with India for trade purposes. And I know that the Russian, Chinese and Brazilian central banks are attempting to put together a multilateral trade relationship exchanging their currencies to avoid payments in dollars (the so-called BRIC currency bloc).
But your question seemed to be more of a sociological one. I think that the number of Indian people in Russia is small compared to the Indian population in the US. And that what Indians there are in Russia are confined to the metropolitan areas, and concentrated in the medical and technology fields. Language is a problem, and it could well be that most of the social and business transactions between Russians and Indians living there are conducted in English.
The Russians living here in the US that I have known are generous and warmhearted. I know that generalizations are dangerous, but I sense that a cultural divide may separate them in many cases: I sense that Russians are sentimental, Indians not so much. Russians are sensitive to social nuances and emotions. Indians are more direct and to-the-point.
I would suspect that neither country has a large expatriate community from the other country. So there would be not a great support system for expatriates in either country.
There are a number of Russo_Indian trade associations and Chambers of Commerce you might contact should you want to pursue your question further (they are on Google). I believe that this question is one better answered in person rather than on a forum such as this because you can better target your information source, and, through conversation, get a better feel for your interviewee's probity, knowledge and sincerity.
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