Anglais : India's Soft Power

Subject : You are writing a novel set in India. Write a scene in which the narrator (a

foreigner) has a direct experience with Indian culture that alters (=changes) his/her

perception of this country.

        Ash Jr White is waking up in his hotel room in Dadar, a city near the metropolis Mumbai. After a week in India for his work as a cameraman, the young American decided to extend his stay by a few days. Today, he will visit the Bollywood Studios, of which he doesn’t know a lot. On his way, he hopes he will discover the center of Mumbai and some interesting places.

In the lobby of the hotel, he is intrigued by some people practicing yoga on yoga mats. He discusses a bit with them and learns a lot about India’s culture and influence. He didn’t know that yoga came from India, as there’s a lot of yogis in the United States as well. He thought India was only a poor country, starting to develop itself.

Afterwards, he takes a taxi to go to the studios and gets in Mumbai. Firstly, he sees a lot of shantytowns which reminds him his vision of India before his journey. However, when the taxi enters in the middletown, Ash sees a lot of huge towers, large shopping centers and every proof of modernity he knows from his native country. Now, he is very impressed and speechless. He understands there is actually a big contrast of wealth in India. During his path, the cameraman discerns some beautiful temples. There appears another important contrast, between the tradition and the modernity. He actually likes this mix, which he finds original and interesting. During his first week in India, he was working really hard and didn’t pay attention to these contrasts.

Finally, he arrives in the Bollywood studios. He is not expecting big studios, like the American ones, but he is impatient. After a guided tour, he meets another cameraman, but from India, working there. After short introductions to each other, they are talking about India’s movie production.

“It’s my first time here and I have to say that I’m really impressed. I mean, when I saw all these studios, cameras and stuff, all the special effects you are making here, I was thoroughly surprised.

I don’t really know how are your studios in America, but here, we are making movies since the XIXth century, so yes, our films are great today.

It sure is ! We shot a scene in Dadar last week and I have to admit that it seems like you have some better stuff than us.

You know, here in India, there is like an overpopulation as you may have noticed and our movies are very popular here. Now, they also become famous in the whole world.”

Now, Ash’s vision of India utterly changed and he understands India has become a modern, quite developed country, with a large culture which that they spread all around the world, such as the yoga. And with their cinema, they found a way to entertain everyone, despite the overpopulation.

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