Living in England, it’s hard to get a sense of what things are like across the world. The average person probably forms their opinions based on what they see on social media, or snippets they hear on the news - meaning that we’re vulnerable to believing false stereotypes.
I interviewed Gargi Kulkarni, a 17 year old who emigrated from Mumbai to London 6 years ago, to get a sense of how it’s different to be raised in both countries, as well as if her unique perspective, having grown up in India, can help deconstruct any stereotypes surrounding India.
Would you say India is dirtier or polluted?
I would say that there are definitely areas that are more dirty or polluted than England. However unlike the stereotypes suggest, it’s not because Indians are ‘dirty’ but rather because there are a lot of Indians who live below the poverty line and cannot afford proper sanitation. The high amounts of pollution are a result of the high population density and are lower in areas like North East India and South India, where there is a lower population density. There are also affluent areas in Mumbai which I’d say are much cleaner than London.
Is India filled with slums?
A way in which India is different from other countries is that the differences in wealth are extremely stark. For example, taking a walk in Mumbai, you can pass by an area of slums in extreme poverty, and by the houses of some of the top billionaires of the world in the same half hour.
How did you adapt to the cultural norms in England, and were there any aspects of Indian culture you missed?
I adapted really quickly because I’ve travelled a lot and because I used to go to an international school, however, I really missed the tight-knit sense of community in India, as well being able to spend time with my grandparents.
How did your schooling experience in India compare with the education system in England?
I would say India is way ahead academically, and we receive a lot more homework and spend much more time studying than in England. The average school day in India required us to attend from 7.30 to 3. After that, everybody would attend tuition until 10pm. Generally due to the strong focus on academics, Indian students feel a lot of pressure, and there are many cases of students committing suicide. So, I would prefer the English school system.
Have you ever felt torn between your Indian heritage and English influences? How do you navigate this balance?
In India, I often feel too ‘westernised’ and like I sometimes don’t quite fit in with my friends. In England, I feel too Indian compared with everyone. Because I moved around a lot in my childhood due to my dad’s job, neither country feels quite like home.
Did you encounter stereotypes or assumptions about being Indian in England, and if so, how did you handle them?
I did, mainly in secondary school, when I had just moved from India, I was teased on my accent. However, I either told the teacher or ignored them, focusing on myself.
