Controversial Cartoon On India's Mars Mission (Mangalyan)

New York Times apologised for a cartoon published in its newspaper. Cartoon categorically depicts India's Mars space mission as an attempt to enter into elite club of space missions. Before moving ahead, let’s talk about this cartoon first. 

Controversial cartoon depicts an Indian scientist with a buffalo. Scientist is wearing a traditional Indian attire dhoti and knocking at the cabin where two elite scientists are reading a newspaper. Newspaper's headline writes India's Mars mission. Cartoon depicts how India is trying to enter this elite club of Mars mission where developed countries already have a presence.

Hong Kong based Cheng has made this cartoon, who is famous for cartoons on world affairs. So what made New York Times to pull out this cartoon? Many readers complained that cartoon is full of racial overtone and mocks India's ambitious mars mission. This is not a first incident and I feel this won't be the last.

What India has achieved from her maiden Mars mission attempt, some developed countries took many attempts in reaching there. Across the world many scientists have been dumbstruck at the low cost of India's Mars mission 'Mangalyan'. This strong feat is in fact, less commendable in developed country’s media. Rather they published a cartoon to mock at the ability of developing country’s scientists.

Racial abuses in a developed country like Australia on Indians are not a new story. Many Indian students were brutally attacked and forced to flee from the country. Though Indian government took a firm stand on this issue but again there were recurrent issues of racial slur reported in Australia.

I feel, it is basically a result of colonial mindset which is still prevalent in the western countries. But what they failed to understand that world has changed a lot since last 50-60 years. Free movement of talent is a standard norm in 21st centaury. World is fast becoming a global village. No country can afford remain isolated. Ideas and information are easily accessible. Every country is depended and at the same time need other countries markets to expand. If the slightest incident of racial abuse occurs it will hamper the right atmosphere. Mindset must change with rightful germination of awareness.