What do you think?
Rate this book
Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi
Western Media Narratives on India explores how cultural imperialism influences the Third-World nations. Media in the hands of the former colonizers that wish to maintain their sway has become a tool to dictate people’s thoughts. Focussed on India, this narrative spans from the nation's independence in 1947 to the present day, scrutinizing the relentless targeting of Indian leadership by the dominant Western English media. With time, these attacks have intensified, particularly on a resurgent India. In this book, the media’s role during crises emerges as a central theme, with a spotlight on Covid-19. The Western media crafted a narrative portraying India’s response to the disaster as chaotic, forecasting a staggering death toll reminiscent of the Spanish Flu of 1918. The Western media’s approach to India shows how the English press continues to perpetuate the West’s long-held prejudices against India. Drawing heavily from history, the book critically analyses and unravels the origins and causes of this bias. While rooted in the Indian experience, the lessons derived hold universal relevance for any nation grappling with the shadows of colonization.
- GenresNonfiction
184 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2024
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Umesh Upadhyay
1 bookUmesh Upadhyay was a veteran Indian television journalist, author and media executive. Critics say that his book “Western Media Narratives on India – Gandhi to Modi” exposes the dubiousness of the anti-India agenda of the foreign media. He was also a freelance writer, an independent media consultant and analyst. Earlier he worked as president and director of media at Reliance Industries Limited, prior to which he was President of News at Network 18.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 2, 2024
Title: Western Media Narratives on India
Author: Umesh Upadhyay
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
In this book, the author delves into the intricate web of cultural imperialism that continues to ensnare Third-World nations, with India serving as the focal point of scrutiny. Through a meticulous examination spanning from the nation's dawn of independence in 1947 to the present day, the book dissects the insidious influence wielded by Western English media, perpetuating age-old colonial biases and maintaining hegemonic control over narratives.
Central to the narrative is the portrayal of India's leadership, relentlessly targeted by the dominant Western press. The author meticulously traces the evolution of these attacks, particularly magnified during India's resurgence on the global stage. Amidst crises, notably the Covid-19 pandemic, the Western media's role emerges as a focal point, crafting a narrative of chaos and incompetence, reminiscent of historical prejudices.
With surgical precision, the author unravels the origins and causes of this bias, drawing heavily from historical contexts. Through a lens sharpened by critical analysis, the book exposes the underlying mechanisms by which the English press perpetuates Western hegemony, casting shadows of doubt upon India's capabilities and resilience.
Moreover, it transcends the boundaries of mere critique, offering profound insights with universal relevance. By extrapolating lessons derived from India's experience, the author elucidates the broader implications for any nation grappling with the enduring legacies of colonization. The book serves as a clarion call to interrogate and dismantle the entrenched power structures perpetuating Western dominance in media discourse.
In essence, it stands as a tour de force, challenging readers to confront the nexus of power, prejudice, and propaganda shaping global narratives. With erudition and eloquence, the author invites readers on a journey of enlightenment, beckoning towards a future where voices long silenced by the cacophony of colonialism can finally find resonance and representation.
Author: Umesh Upadhyay
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
In this book, the author delves into the intricate web of cultural imperialism that continues to ensnare Third-World nations, with India serving as the focal point of scrutiny. Through a meticulous examination spanning from the nation's dawn of independence in 1947 to the present day, the book dissects the insidious influence wielded by Western English media, perpetuating age-old colonial biases and maintaining hegemonic control over narratives.
Central to the narrative is the portrayal of India's leadership, relentlessly targeted by the dominant Western press. The author meticulously traces the evolution of these attacks, particularly magnified during India's resurgence on the global stage. Amidst crises, notably the Covid-19 pandemic, the Western media's role emerges as a focal point, crafting a narrative of chaos and incompetence, reminiscent of historical prejudices.
With surgical precision, the author unravels the origins and causes of this bias, drawing heavily from historical contexts. Through a lens sharpened by critical analysis, the book exposes the underlying mechanisms by which the English press perpetuates Western hegemony, casting shadows of doubt upon India's capabilities and resilience.
Moreover, it transcends the boundaries of mere critique, offering profound insights with universal relevance. By extrapolating lessons derived from India's experience, the author elucidates the broader implications for any nation grappling with the enduring legacies of colonization. The book serves as a clarion call to interrogate and dismantle the entrenched power structures perpetuating Western dominance in media discourse.
In essence, it stands as a tour de force, challenging readers to confront the nexus of power, prejudice, and propaganda shaping global narratives. With erudition and eloquence, the author invites readers on a journey of enlightenment, beckoning towards a future where voices long silenced by the cacophony of colonialism can finally find resonance and representation.
April 3, 2024
Eye opening, Western media is a tool of mental imperialism
The author successfully paints Western media as biased, a tool of continued intellectual imperialism, and how detrimental it can be, for developing societies.
He starts with the history of news agencies, and takes us through the journey of their approach to present day keeping India at the center. Included is the impact of social media, the oversized role of news agencies and their historical biases.
Books of scope is Limited to presenting the current status, I hope future additions will talk about how this can be changed.
The author successfully paints Western media as biased, a tool of continued intellectual imperialism, and how detrimental it can be, for developing societies.
He starts with the history of news agencies, and takes us through the journey of their approach to present day keeping India at the center. Included is the impact of social media, the oversized role of news agencies and their historical biases.
Books of scope is Limited to presenting the current status, I hope future additions will talk about how this can be changed.
April 28, 2024
-The Importance of unbiased press-
Review of ‘Western Media Narratives on India
🖋️📖
The importance of a free and unbiased press has long lasting effect not only upon the country of its origin but transcends boundaries globally and touches upon the countries that aren’t so fortunate to have one. The underdeveloped and developing nations have a weak media, mostly controlled by corrupt politicians and businessmen with vested interests.
Western media narratives on India explores such incidents where media have not reported or underreported the news of massive importance globally. It explores such events that occurred right from the time of Mahatma Gandhi to now. Written during COVID times covering more than 200 academic articles, it gives a comprehensive view upon the subject.
explores how cultural imperialism influences the Third-World nations. Media in the hands of the former colonizers that wish to maintain their sway has become a tool to dictate people’s thoughts. Focussed on India, this narrative spans from the nation's independence in 1947 to the present day, scrutinizing the relentless targeting of Indian leadership by the dominant Western English media.
With time, these attacks have intensified, particularly on a resurgent India. In this book, the media’s role during crises emerges as a central theme, with a spotlight on Covid-19. The Western media crafted a narrative portraying India’s response to the disaster as chaotic, forecasting a staggering death toll reminiscent of the Spanish Flu of 1918.
The Western media’s approach to India shows how the English press continues to perpetuate the West’s long-held prejudices against India. Drawing heavily from history, the book critically analyses and unravels the origins and causes of this bias. While rooted in the Indian experience, the lessons derived hold universal relevance for any nation grappling with the shadows of colonization.
Review of ‘Western Media Narratives on India
🖋️📖
The importance of a free and unbiased press has long lasting effect not only upon the country of its origin but transcends boundaries globally and touches upon the countries that aren’t so fortunate to have one. The underdeveloped and developing nations have a weak media, mostly controlled by corrupt politicians and businessmen with vested interests.
Western media narratives on India explores such incidents where media have not reported or underreported the news of massive importance globally. It explores such events that occurred right from the time of Mahatma Gandhi to now. Written during COVID times covering more than 200 academic articles, it gives a comprehensive view upon the subject.
explores how cultural imperialism influences the Third-World nations. Media in the hands of the former colonizers that wish to maintain their sway has become a tool to dictate people’s thoughts. Focussed on India, this narrative spans from the nation's independence in 1947 to the present day, scrutinizing the relentless targeting of Indian leadership by the dominant Western English media.
With time, these attacks have intensified, particularly on a resurgent India. In this book, the media’s role during crises emerges as a central theme, with a spotlight on Covid-19. The Western media crafted a narrative portraying India’s response to the disaster as chaotic, forecasting a staggering death toll reminiscent of the Spanish Flu of 1918.
The Western media’s approach to India shows how the English press continues to perpetuate the West’s long-held prejudices against India. Drawing heavily from history, the book critically analyses and unravels the origins and causes of this bias. While rooted in the Indian experience, the lessons derived hold universal relevance for any nation grappling with the shadows of colonization.
March 10, 2025
This book provides numerous examples to illustrate how Western media has shaped narratives against India and Hindus. While such reports may not seem like propaganda in isolation, a broader perspective reveals a clear pattern. Unfortunately, this model has also been adopted by sections of Indian media, subtly influencing public perception. As a result, we are subjected to a constant stream of biased information. Though the book may not cover every aspect in detail, it effectively explains the motivations behind these narratives, making it a valuable read for those seeking to understand media bias.
December 11, 2024
If you follow the western media trends, you must observe that how much the Western media houses hate India and Indians. If you follow social media influencers, you will observe that self-claimed ‘unbiased’ and ‘independent’ news reporters and German-shepherd like youtubers refer to the Western media reports like unquestionable holy gospels. This highly readable book by journalist Umesh Upadhyay will answer why these biases are predominant in today’s world.
The author traces the era, when the western powers were colonizing great civilizations and for dominating them for long, they were using their media houses to colonialize the minds of the natives. This theory is neither of the author, nor mine. This theory is given by renown author Anthony Smith.
Many people will have the opinion that, as the media houses target the Indian govt, the supporters of the ruling party only will have the problem. But this problem is not of political parties or ideologies as the ideological icons of today’s opposition leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Ambedkar were also targeted and demonized by the Western media at their times.
But why these biases? The 1st reason is that it was the opinion of the western powers that Indians are not able to govern their own country and independent India would not be stable. But India has debunked this non-sense by remaining independent for last 77 years.
Another reason is that as India joined the NMO in the time of the cold war, which was inclined towards the USSR and India’s newly-formed enemy Pakistan directly joined the USA and Western powers, the bias against India was expected from western media houses.
The media houses did not respond when the then US President abused India and then Indian PM Indira Gandhi on 1971. They even took clear stand with Pakistan on the time of Indian Parliament attack when the Indian PM was Atal ji. So Western media’s hate against India does not depend on the India’s ruling party.
It is also noteworthy that, these media houses, while reporting about positive achievements of India, sprinkle unnecessary sarcasms and negative data points. When India hits any big scientific or developmental achievement, it mostly sprinkles about how many poor are living in India. But, here the author provided two facts. First, India’s poverty is mostly due to the colonization of it and the loots of its wealth by the Western powers. Secondly, scientific or developmental achievements can go hand with hand with removing poverty.
Their hate for India led to a data war in the times of the Covid-19 pandemic. The author at the end, prescribes some solutions for this problem also. This book is a must-read for every Indian and if you are a nationalist, this book should be a blind pick for you.
The author traces the era, when the western powers were colonizing great civilizations and for dominating them for long, they were using their media houses to colonialize the minds of the natives. This theory is neither of the author, nor mine. This theory is given by renown author Anthony Smith.
Many people will have the opinion that, as the media houses target the Indian govt, the supporters of the ruling party only will have the problem. But this problem is not of political parties or ideologies as the ideological icons of today’s opposition leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Ambedkar were also targeted and demonized by the Western media at their times.
But why these biases? The 1st reason is that it was the opinion of the western powers that Indians are not able to govern their own country and independent India would not be stable. But India has debunked this non-sense by remaining independent for last 77 years.
Another reason is that as India joined the NMO in the time of the cold war, which was inclined towards the USSR and India’s newly-formed enemy Pakistan directly joined the USA and Western powers, the bias against India was expected from western media houses.
The media houses did not respond when the then US President abused India and then Indian PM Indira Gandhi on 1971. They even took clear stand with Pakistan on the time of Indian Parliament attack when the Indian PM was Atal ji. So Western media’s hate against India does not depend on the India’s ruling party.
It is also noteworthy that, these media houses, while reporting about positive achievements of India, sprinkle unnecessary sarcasms and negative data points. When India hits any big scientific or developmental achievement, it mostly sprinkles about how many poor are living in India. But, here the author provided two facts. First, India’s poverty is mostly due to the colonization of it and the loots of its wealth by the Western powers. Secondly, scientific or developmental achievements can go hand with hand with removing poverty.
Their hate for India led to a data war in the times of the Covid-19 pandemic. The author at the end, prescribes some solutions for this problem also. This book is a must-read for every Indian and if you are a nationalist, this book should be a blind pick for you.
July 15, 2024
⏩ What's your take on new channels and their way of showing news ?
📍 Western Media Narratives on India - From Gandhi To Modi by Umesh Upadhyay is thought provoking, honest and to the point read.
📍 Well, talking about India and Indians we are always under the influence of western - be it on clothes, food, people, living everything is influenced by Western culture but at the same time we are really at no fault because for so long we are slaves of the British that our mind processes like that.
📍 Still today in 2024 we are crazy about following Western culture, people.
📍 We are obsessed with western culture so much that in front of that India's situation always looks small, dirty, and worst.
📍 This book is resolved around western media and news channels portraying india in a way that is far more than reality.
📍 With this bright colour and name and especially with "from Gandhi to Modi " made me choose this book in seconds and I was stunned into silence when I completed it.
📍 How western media is continuously portraying india in a negative face that the image still stuck there.
📍 Especially when i read about BBC news I was shocked because that's something I was not have idea about.
📍 Even though India made so many progresses in all these years which didn't go unnoticed by world but at the same time western media's witty remarks and insult was delivered in harsh ways.
📍 From the start when news channels doesn't even exist to this time when there are sea of news channels every narrative by author shows the worst approach by Western media.
📍 I think the writing itself build frustration in me even I was not aware of most Narratives.
📍 It's witty, true, honest and to the point read and definitely thought provoking !
📍 Western Media Narratives on India - From Gandhi To Modi by Umesh Upadhyay is thought provoking, honest and to the point read.
📍 Well, talking about India and Indians we are always under the influence of western - be it on clothes, food, people, living everything is influenced by Western culture but at the same time we are really at no fault because for so long we are slaves of the British that our mind processes like that.
📍 Still today in 2024 we are crazy about following Western culture, people.
📍 We are obsessed with western culture so much that in front of that India's situation always looks small, dirty, and worst.
📍 This book is resolved around western media and news channels portraying india in a way that is far more than reality.
📍 With this bright colour and name and especially with "from Gandhi to Modi " made me choose this book in seconds and I was stunned into silence when I completed it.
📍 How western media is continuously portraying india in a negative face that the image still stuck there.
📍 Especially when i read about BBC news I was shocked because that's something I was not have idea about.
📍 Even though India made so many progresses in all these years which didn't go unnoticed by world but at the same time western media's witty remarks and insult was delivered in harsh ways.
📍 From the start when news channels doesn't even exist to this time when there are sea of news channels every narrative by author shows the worst approach by Western media.
📍 I think the writing itself build frustration in me even I was not aware of most Narratives.
📍 It's witty, true, honest and to the point read and definitely thought provoking !
May 7, 2024
Western Media Narratives on India investigates the intricate processes of cultural imperialism and its effects on Third-World countries, with a special emphasis on India. The book provides light on how the media, which is frequently controlled by former colonists, may mold and distort public opinion, particularly regarding Indian leadership and crises like as the COVID-19 outbreak.
Western media's narrative during crises, like Covid-19, frequently portrays India's response negatively, reinforcing long-held stereotypes and biases. The author examines the origins and effects of this prejudice, using historical settings to reveal the intricate interplay between media, imperialism, and national identity.
While the book focuses on India, its observations are universally applicable, providing vital lessons for any nation dealing with the legacy of colonialism and media manipulation.
Ultimately, it is an insightful examination of how media narratives can shape perceptions, influence policies, and perpetuate biases, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the intersections of media, power, and cultural imperialism.
Western media's narrative during crises, like Covid-19, frequently portrays India's response negatively, reinforcing long-held stereotypes and biases. The author examines the origins and effects of this prejudice, using historical settings to reveal the intricate interplay between media, imperialism, and national identity.
While the book focuses on India, its observations are universally applicable, providing vital lessons for any nation dealing with the legacy of colonialism and media manipulation.
Ultimately, it is an insightful examination of how media narratives can shape perceptions, influence policies, and perpetuate biases, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the intersections of media, power, and cultural imperialism.
April 17, 2024
Western Media Narratives on India by Umesh Upadhyay is a book related to media and communication studies. It focuses on how imperialism influences the Third World Nations. I have not read a book as such till date and I was so glad to have stumbled upon this one.
This book is a must for students studying media and history since it sheds light on a new perspective. It is very strong and powerful in its words and also in the impact that the Western media leaves on the world, along with the problems it would face if the approach didn't change towards India.
The book is very well researched, and the author dives deep into the causes and roots of the biases towards India caused by the Western media. The author even sheds light on the prejudices and biases faced during the pandemic.
Most of the history and topics shared in this book are things that I have heard so much about from my grandfather, and at times it made me really angry and furious to read the things and history that went beyond pre-independence time and the 17th and 18th centuries.
This book is a must for students studying media and history since it sheds light on a new perspective. It is very strong and powerful in its words and also in the impact that the Western media leaves on the world, along with the problems it would face if the approach didn't change towards India.
The book is very well researched, and the author dives deep into the causes and roots of the biases towards India caused by the Western media. The author even sheds light on the prejudices and biases faced during the pandemic.
Most of the history and topics shared in this book are things that I have heard so much about from my grandfather, and at times it made me really angry and furious to read the things and history that went beyond pre-independence time and the 17th and 18th centuries.
April 23, 2024
The literary work provides a superbly researched and analysed description of news offered by Western media. The author investigates how the western media has portrayed the narratives in negative light. They have been doing it, and it appears that they will continue to do so in order to establish their hegemony. Imperialism has taken various forms throughout history; presently, as the globe has become more liberal, western nations and developed countries aim to impose cultural imperialism, or mental imperialism - the perception or image they wish to establish of India and to create their superiority.
The media has always had a significant impact on politics and reign and the the author explains how power, prejudice, and propaganda shape global narratives. In almost all the events, the western media has always shown India in a bad picture, downgrading it's capabilities and resilience.
✨
The book is a powerful tool for spreading awareness and showing the true face and biasedness of western media.
The media has always had a significant impact on politics and reign and the the author explains how power, prejudice, and propaganda shape global narratives. In almost all the events, the western media has always shown India in a bad picture, downgrading it's capabilities and resilience.
✨
The book is a powerful tool for spreading awareness and showing the true face and biasedness of western media.
April 1, 2024
News then and now..
Blood boiling... Do give it a try
It's a Brilliantly researched account that dissecting News presented by Western Media. From the very beginning to the news media culture that goes back to the 17 th century to recent published news on Chandrayan, everything painstakingly discussed and scrutinized every word that was carefully articulated by world renowned media and publications.
Sometimes it's funny how Western media used age old data, almost pre-historic knowledge when they sit down to write articles on India.... This is insane, cruel, they are still carrying the hundred years old misconceptions that were tactfully projected by imperialist
Blood boiling... Do give it a try
It's a Brilliantly researched account that dissecting News presented by Western Media. From the very beginning to the news media culture that goes back to the 17 th century to recent published news on Chandrayan, everything painstakingly discussed and scrutinized every word that was carefully articulated by world renowned media and publications.
Sometimes it's funny how Western media used age old data, almost pre-historic knowledge when they sit down to write articles on India.... This is insane, cruel, they are still carrying the hundred years old misconceptions that were tactfully projected by imperialist
September 14, 2024
Well written book on Western media narrative in the perspective of India. Author shows how Western Media has narrated India in their West perspective.
November 14, 2025
It exposes the narrative that are being pushed around.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews