Updated October 15th, 2021 at 18:53 IST
For NYT journalist, Indian pilot happy about Navratri equals 'undercurrent of religion'
Disappointed by festive spirits on the IndiGo flight from Varanasi to Kolkata, the NYT reporter termed it as "undercurrent of religion is everywhere here"
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In what appears to be nothing more or less than a 'woke' effort to needlessly slander India, a country known for its culture and hospitality, a notable correspondent of The New York Times took to Twitter to belittle the words and intentions of a domestic airline pilot. The flier mentioned that the captain of the aircraft, on the occasion of Navratri and eve of Dussehra, took out time to share the mythological-religious significance of the city of boarding and the destination (Varanasi to Kolkata). Seemingly perturbed by the festive spirits onboard the aircraft, the NYT reporter said, "an undercurrent of religion is everywhere here" (India).
Foreign journalist grumbles about IndiGo pilot talking about India
Instead of appreciating the spirit of people and community on the religious occasion, the reporter - Emily Schmall - chose to crib. While the experience could be a notable one for the fellow Indigo passengers aboard the Varanasi to Kolkata flight, the foreign journalist appeared to view this celebration as 'as undercurrent of religion' and took umbrage at the pilot remarking on what India means to him.
Taking to Twitter, NYT's self-confessed 'intellectually defiant' reporter wrote, "An undercurrent of religion is everywhere here. IndiGo airline captain gives lecture on the Hindu festival of Navaratri, describes flight path from Varanasi to Kolkata as the city of Shiv to the city of Shakti: "India for me is not just a noun; it's an adjective, a quality."
An undercurrent of religion is everywhere here.
— emilyschmall (@emilyschmall) October 14, 2021
IndiGo airline captain gives lecture on the Hindu festival of Navaratri, describes flight path from Varanasi to Kolkata as the city of Shiv to the city of Shakti: "India for me is not just a noun; it's an adjective, a quality."
Netizens were quick to react
While few echoed the foreign journalist's point of view, others weren't falling for it. Author Rajiv Malhotra replied, "I am glad this NYT journo in India is getting a solid response to her tweet. No more apologizing for our faith just to impress Amrikans."
I am glad this NYT journo in India is getting a solid response to her tweet. No more apologizing for our faith just to impress Amrikans.
— Rajiv Malhotra (@RajivMessage) October 15, 2021
Casual racism & orientalism from an @nytimes journalist. Is it a requirement for an @nytimes job?
— Amish Tripathi (@authoramish) October 15, 2021
Underneath her passive-aggressive words, her tweet's real meaning: "These dirty brown people & their attachment to their strange culture! Why can't they just be Godless?" https://t.co/YFkvBYj4rY
Strange that a NewYorkTimes correspondent doesn't know the difference between Sanskriti, Dharma, & Religion
— Madhu Purnima Kishwar (@madhukishwar) October 14, 2021
If you started discerning these differences, you will stop seeing Indic civilization through Abrahamic lenses @emilyschmall! https://t.co/DfXnz0NouH
What an idiotic tweet by @emilyschmall At Christmas time what happens in the US and Europe? Religion everywhere! This is the white person showing her rascist views! https://t.co/g1Qh1z5Dsi
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) October 15, 2021
At the NYT India Correspondent job interview:
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) October 15, 2021
Tell us about your weaknesses and strengths.
"I am woke, racist, irrational, uninformed, selective; I love to generate and spread fake news; and I am extremely Hinduphobic."
Enough with the strengths, tell us your weaknesses. https://t.co/4Zt3HXM09G
A Twitter user commented, "What exactly is wrong with what she said?" while another user affirmed her plight.
What exactly is wrong with what she said?
— Gothicself (@Gothicself) October 15, 2021
I can’t even... 🤦🏽♀️ I would be scared to be on this flight!
— Amrita Ghosh, PhD (@MsBiryani) October 14, 2021
A Twitter handle replied, "Their President took oath on a religious book. Think if that happened in India."
Their President took oath on a religious book. Think if that happened in India.
— Rakesh Grover (@groverakesh) October 15, 2021
Another Twitter handle replied, "I don't know what is worse. Rather than appreciating the beauty of host land, a Hindu/Modi hating journo calls a simple, truthful announcement as 'undercurrent of religion' & 'lecture'. And people like this Sadanand justifies it, labels the ones who called it out as 'sensitive'."
I don't know what is worse. Rather than appreciating the beauty of host land, a Hindu/Modi hating journo calls a simple, truthful announcement as 'undercurrent of religion' & 'lecture'. And people like this Sadanand justifies it, labels the ones who called it out as 'sensitive'.
— Anagha Joshi (@AnaghaJoshi_) October 15, 2021
Meanwhile, a Twitter handle replied, "I am travelling in 4 hours …@IndiGo6E thank you Indigo .. promise will travel with you always"
I am traveling in 4 hours … @IndiGo6E thank you Indigo .. promise will travel with you always
— IndiaFirst 🇮🇳 (@IndiaFirst2022) October 15, 2021
One reply read, "Absolutely not. If Biden can display his faith by taking oath on Bible, Hindus can display their faith in Hindustan"
Absolutely not. If Biden can display his faith by taking oath on Bible, Hindus can display their faith in #Hindustan
— #HindutvaForGlobalGood ॐ 🇮🇳 (@Deshbhakt987) October 15, 2021
Sarcastically, a Twitter handle responded, "Don't worry, she will return to India to learn Yoga.."
Don't worry, she will return back to India to learn Yoga..
— ItsUrOpinion (@Game__Plan) October 15, 2021
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Published October 15th, 2021 at 17:19 IST
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