India is not perfect, but balanced coverage would not hurt

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An Indian voter shows off her inked fingers after casting her ballot in the Indian state of Gujarat on December 17, 2017. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:00pm, 8 Jul 2018Updated: 12:30pm, 15 Oct 2020

I refer to the letter from Anurag Bhatnagar (“Why survey report reeks of bias”, June 30) in response to your article on the Reuters survey (“India most dangerous country for women as sexual violence is rife”, June 26), as well as Yonden Lhatoo’s article, “Yes, India has a rape problem but is it really a no-go for women?” (June 30).

As an Indian national living in Hong Kong and a reader of your newspaper for the past 18 years, I find that, for some reason, your coverage on India tends to carry a negative connotation. I did a search of your coverage on India and of the 412 articles (as of July 3, 2018) that I could see on your website, only a handful had some level of positivity on India.

As a nation and just as an individual, we are learning as we grow and, despite the political rhetoric, we are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly. Some may call this the “cost of democracy”.

Schoolchildren in costumes prepare to participate in a cultural event for India’s Republic Day parade in the southern city of Bangalore in January 2012, showcasing the country’s diverse cultural heritage. Photo: EPA

Sexual violence against women is not just India’s problem

India as a nation is not a melting pot, where all ingredients lose their flavour to create a new one, but a salad bowl: where each ingredient retains its own identity yet helps to create a new one. That is our strength in diversity. India continues to be a robust and functioning democracy, with the word “secular” enshrined in her constitution. India has worked with China as well as Southeast Asia to bring about peace and collaboration in the region.