Iranians in general like India

[sunny001]

Interesting to hear the above bolded lines in the article. We all know what India looks like and how the people live, I don't see how the articles differentiates Iranians as being unlike or vastly different. For example, an Indian once told me that in his state, a woman spent the whole day cleaning, and then made dinner for her husband. She did not eat or drank a thing until then. The husband then received the food in front of him and ate it together with the child. The woman would sit at a distance looking at him eating it. Once the husband was done and he couldn't eat anymore, all that was left in his plate, was given to the woman. The point is, even if millions of Indian women have to go through this every day, it cannot still be a general image of India or of it's culture. The article fails in trying to generalize Iranians.

All in all, any random "Muslim nation", with the exception of some center African nations, have a quality of life higher than that of the Indian average.



I'll not call it absurd, but this sounds ridiculous. Tears in the eyes? Dream to teach Sanskrit? Honestly?

Its true that Iran and India historically have been very close and this aside from being geographical neighbors. Our cultures aren't similar but they have bridges once when looks beyond the superficial. I am actually a fan of Indian/sub-continent cuisine and the Indians I have personally met have been very kind, but the article above is simply flawed in one too many ways.


Side note: For some reason I cannot open the link.

Are you kidding me? How old is that Indian who told you that? He must be older than my grand father. Things have changed in my fathers generation. Now a days, women are working along with men to make livelihood. Men give them same respect as they would give to fellow men.

 

[T90TankGuy]

yeah i know about them in PUNE and Bangalore i was in both those cities . they really are friendly and nice guys who come here to study and really enjoy the food . ESPECIALLY the food .....

 

[eric_cartman]

Here in Universities, many Iranians study Engineering related courses. It is surprising and the only Islamic nation where girls/women attend American Universities in such a huge number.

Also they are pretty liberal and friendly.

 

[Abhishek_]

Respect to these guys. I've had minor interactions with a couple of Iranian Students at my university. Decent people like any other.
long time lurker...first time poster

 

[bozorgmehr]

If the author of this article is a professor of history of any renown, then I feel deeply sorry for the state of Indian educational system!

Here are some easily verifiable facts that this history 'professor' missed on his way to professorship:

• Iran's population is closer to 70M, not 80.

• Persepolis had nothing to do with Sassanians. It was built by the Achemenids and destroyed by Alexander the homosexual. Almost 1100 years separate them from beginning to end.

• The vast majority of Iranian women do not wear the Chador. Only the older and more conservative ones do.

...

And mention of India brings tears to the eyes of Iranians!? They may giggle with bemusement from the cursory knowledge they have of Indian movies. But tears in their eyes?! Nigga please!

India is still and relatively new country that lacks far behind Iran in most metrics. So don't be surprised if we don't take kindly to the "Iranians are not cavemen" patronizing pat on the back from an orientalist wannabe Indian 'professor'.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

IF you ever visited Iran with the assumption that it was after all another medieval Muslim nation where all one could expect to see was Mullahs exhorting the faithful to prayers and women clad in burqahs waiting at home for their husbands to return, you would be well advised to prepare for a surprise. Tehran itself is a megapolis, hosting some 12 of its 80 million people, a density of car population much higher than in Delhi, as also its pollution levels. Individual bungalow-type houses having given way to high-rise buildings, the city seems to have very recent origins of no more than two decades. Care was taken to keep the roads wide for movement of vehicles, which nevertheless seem to have outgrown the space.

The presence of Islam and of the Islamic Revolution 20-odd-years ago is never far away from wherever one goes. All functions, even a lecture in the University, begin with the invocation and even as most men wear Western coats and trousers, no one wears a necktie because it reminds them of the Cross and Christianity. Pictures of the two Ayatollahs, late Khomeini, the supreme leader, and Khamenei, the nation's present spiritual guide, are prominently on display everywhere in public buildings and offices. However, there is a well appointed Church in the heart of Tehran catering to the small population of Iranian Christians. All women, young or old, rich or poor, wear a loose cha dor, usually black, which covers their body from head to foot so as to cover the body's contours. There are some variations on it though: an overcoat and a scarf, often of a designer variety, would do for the ladies of the upper classes who would take measures to assert their distinctions from the mass of their sisters. They often make no attempt to conceal the jeans under the overcoat and wear lipstick, perfumes and nail polish. The sight of a number of women walking in a row, all covered in black, makes a very photogenic scene. However, once inside the black gown, there is no stopping them. They are there in offices, in the markets, driving cars, in the class rooms and the canteens, indeed everywhere, alone or in groups, with men or without them. Once in a while young couples can be seen walking the streets holding hands. Women and men were in the stadium too cheering the Iranian soccer players, and when Iran won the first match on way to the World Cup, young women spectators threw off their scarves in a momentary gesture of celebration, and a touch of defiance.

It is, however, the smaller cities like Isfahan and Shiraz that are the more charming. The roads are still wide, though traffic density is much lower. The cleanliness of roads and markets is striking. The magnificent 17th Century mosque, all covered in blue tiles, has made Isfahan famous in the history as in the present. Isfahan is also home to miniature painting and the most beautiful hand crafted and painted frames. One can see renowned artists at work usually doing motifs drawn from traditional literature, and buy their oeuvre, though some skilful bargaining would stand one in good stead.

Shiraz was home to two of world literature's immortal figures: Shaikh Sa'adi and Hafiz in the medieval centuries. The city knows the fact well and has built a magnificent tomb for each of them in two corners. It also has a crossword named after our own Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. What lends further lustre to Shiraz is Persepolis, some 50 km away, site of the ancient Sasanian ruler Jamshid's throne. The ruins are breathtaking in their grandeur. Jamshid was the best known of Sasanian dynasty long before Islam was born; the site was his capital. Iranian state has preserved it lovingly and proudly through all these centuries.

What the Islamic Revolution has done in Iran, among many other things, is to make a great deal of investment in modern education. If more than two decades ago, there were just a few Universities in Iran and students from the pampered elite groups went over to the U.S. for higher education and the ones from lower down stayed half educated, now Tehran itself has eight Universities and other towns have varying numbers of these. Most University campuses are not only well laid out and clean, they all have a large number of computers with internet at the students' disposal. At Tehran University, in one large hall 150 such computers had been placed for the use of students. There were computers in every faculty member's office and wherever else these were required. Education in Iran is entirely State-funded. Subjects studied in the Universities range from Persian literature, Islamic theology to Medicine and Biotechnology.

The mention of India anywhere brings tears to the eyes of Iranians. They all look upon India with great admiration for its past and with hope for the future. In all the Universities I visited in Tehran and outside, everyone from the Chancellor downwards wished to collaborate with Indian Universities, especially JNU, in several disciplines. The Chancellor of the prestigious and beautifully laid out Shahid Bahishti University in Tehran was overwhelmed when I suggested that in exchange for a teacher of Persian language and literature or history, we could think of sending a teacher of Sanskrit. He said it had been his dream to teach Sanskrit in his University and the dream would be fulfilled if the exchange could be arranged. Through the teaching of Sanskrit, the Chancellor said, he wished to promote the study of Indian philosophy and culture

savoured admiration for India in another mode. At Persepolis, even as I was looking intently at the ruins, my friend and constant companion, Karim Najafi, who has a Ph.D. in History from JNU, along with an official from Tarbiyat Mudarras (Teachers Training) University in Tehran, casually mentioned to a large group of university students, both male and female, that I was a Professor of History from India. That was enough for all of them to clamour for group photographs, autographs and exchange of pleasantries of all sorts. It took me almost an hour to be done with them and for once in my life I felt like a minor celebrity.
The three lectures I gave in the Universities on "Islam in Indian History" were both critical of orthodoxy and appreciative of Indian Islam's distinctive personality. Not knowing the audiences well, I had some apprehension of evoking hostile reaction from them; what came my way was honest and more than polite applause. But then, Shiite Islam itself has a long history of dissent, with suffering as one of its manifestations. My own friendly critique did not put me in the enemy camp.

The media in Iran, whether print or electronic, is under complete Government control. There are six TV channels in Tehran and four in the provinces; no private channel is allowed. However, it is known that here and there installation of secret antenna by individuals circumvents the ban and the Government is not in a position to punish these minor infractions. Freedom of the Indian press and electronic media is also well recognised and is perhaps a point of envy for the intelligentsia.

However, visit Iran and you will never think the Muslims are the same everywhere.

http://http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2002/03/03/stories/2002030300070400.htm

no one cares.

 

[sunny001]

If the author of this article is a professor of history of any renown, then I feel deeply sorry for the state of Indian educational system!

Here are some easily verifiable facts that this history 'professor' missed on his way to professorship:

• Iran's population is closer to 70M, not 80.

• Persepolis had nothing to do with Sassanians. It was built by the Achemenids and destroyed by Alexander the homosexual. Almost 1100 years separate them from beginning to end.

• The vast majority of Iranian women do not wear the Chador. Only the older and more conservative ones do.

...

And mention of India brings tears to the eyes of Iranians!? They may giggle with bemusement from the cursory knowledge they have of Indian movies. But tears in their eyes?! Nigga please!

India is still and relatively new country that lacks far behind Iran in most metrics. So don't be surprised if we don't take kindly to the "Iranians are not cavemen" patronizing pat on the back from an orientalist wannabe Indian 'professor'.

The article was not meant for Iranians. It meant for outside world who think Iran is some religious state where women freedom is not respected, where non muslims are treated as Kafirs. Clearly, it is not the case and the article was enlightening at least for me. Now I know Iranians are progressive people rather than stereotypes that International media makes them out to be.

Coming to 'tears in eyes' part, it could be an exaggeration, but I think the intent was to convey that Iranians are very affectionate towards India. If you don't think so, you could say it in a less condescending note.

If you have problems with a media that is at least trying to show a good side of Iran to the world, then GOD help you.

In what metrics is India lagging behind of Iran? oh ya, metric where they call you terrorist country that is trying to blow Israel off the map. Sure.

 

[Rafi]

According to my personal experience besides the few islands of prosperity like the major cities (but even they have huge slums, Bombay has the largest slum in Asia with well over a million people) people in the countryside live pitiful lives, poverty that is scarred onto the inside of your brain.

People in rags, and children with distended stomachs - Iran is relatively a wealthy country, from my experience it is far more developed than india.

 

[Rafi]

Per capita $4,777[4] IRAN

Per capita $1,211[12] india

 

[eric_cartman]

@Rafi, this thread was not for comparing Economic prosperity between India and Iran.

Don't go blindly in judging India after watching Slum Dog Millionaire, please visit it and then make up your mind.

 

[sunny001]

Per capita $4,777[4] IRAN

Per capita $1,211[12] india

Yes, it is easy for a country with a population of 70 million. India would have at least 200 million who have a per capita income of more than $5000. At least 100 million of them will have a $10000 per capita income. If only we had so much of oil and natural gas, we would have been rich too. There are no value added products coming out of Iran, just raw materials. So, pardon me if I don't respect their development which they had because of oil.

 

[Rafi]

@Rafi, this thread was not for comparing Economic prosperity between India and Iran.

Don't go blindly in judging India after watching Slum Dog Millionaire, please visit it and then make up your mind.

Listen laddie I have been to india on 5 different occasions, the poverty has not gotten better, seriously if it had, then you would not be the only country besides Nepal to have a Communist/Maoist insurgency going on.

It gives me no pleasure to say that the poverty in India, was so bad that I had tears in my eyes, the indian state and establishment have been and will always be my enemy, but to see some of the poorest and wretched humanity has always moved me.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

@Rafi, this thread was not for comparing Economic prosperity between India and Iran.

Don't go blindly in judging India after watching Slum Dog Millionaire, please visit it and then make up your mind.

which parts? these?

BBC News - 'More poor' in India than Africa

 

[Rafi]

Iran has had to face 30 yrs of sanctions, but if you go to that country - the development has been impressive, look Nigeria also has oil, but Iran - both intellectually, economically and culturally is a much richer nation than india.

If Iran had not become a theocracy it would have been even richer.

 

[Tshering22]

which parts? these?

BBC News - 'More poor' in India than Africa

We've a population of 1.1 billion, chum. Out of that 300 million are poor so that meanst 800 million can eat decent meals 2 times a day. 300 million poor is wrong, but we're working on it.

Slumdog kind of exaggerated it beyond limits. Poor people are also to blame in a way. They don't send their kids for education in free government schools for at least basic education and then keep having kids causing more and more poverty.

Government is not just there to blame.