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Why does the news media always criticize India for its poverty?

Yesterday (Aug 15) was India's 60th Independence Day and on BBC was a report to show a native man's trip back home to India. He was known as one of the midnight babies born on Aug 15, 1947. He goes back to India and all BBC shows is India's poverty and students (age of 7-10) saying that they would like to study abroad. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF SHOWING SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON INDIAN INDEPENDENCE??? My point is there are other places around the world that have it a lot worse than India. India is a nation where many successful doctors, engineers, and businessmen are educated from. India is only poor in some regions LIKE MANY OTHER COUNTRIES. How come it is that the news media does not criticize China or Pakistan or HALF OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT!!!! I would like to know what others think of this. Have you noticed it? If not, please notice it next time you hear something about India. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. I think maybe you're a little sensitive about India. The media certainly criticize other parts of the world, especially Africa. However, the BBC might be laughing up it's sleeve at the huge and rich colony that got away, implying that if India had not become independent but had stayed part of the Empire they'd be better off now. Of course, no one can say if that's true.
2. Interestingly, I see it as a backhanded compliment. India, unlike the other countries you mentioned, has been working toward improving their overall situation steadily for a long time. Great progress has been made, and while major issues still exist, the foundation has been established to build a brighter future upon. The news media does criticize other countries- especially the ones you've mentioned. China has come under great scrutiny for their human rights abuses, and this is becoming a headline issue with the OIympic Games coming to Beijing. The media views Pakistan as rough-hewn third world zone, without the reliabilty, sustainability, and security required to operate on the world stage. What major corporation would invest heavily in Pakistan? None that I know of. It's simply not stable enough. India has come a long way since gaining independence, and while there's still a long way to go, it's obvious the critical pieces of the puzzle are in place. The government is stable, the age-old caste system is losing its influence (however slowly), and horrid traditions like bride burning are happening less while being prosecuted more. Poverty won't be beaten overnight, but compared to other countries in the region India is doing well. Further development of social programs for the poor will continue helping, and maybe this is the kind of thing the story was wanting to point out. It's been said that a country should be judged on how it treats its poor. The better things are for the poor, the better a country is doing. Visiting the impoverished shows how any country is doing. In the USA, we have programs and centers to help the poor gain employment or the skills to become employed. While many have benefitted from these programs, others simply refuse to accept assistance. But, help is there if they wanted it. I don't think India could say the same- at least not yet. Someday, I hope all countries have such programs.