The film, “Slumdog Millionaire”, scooped the movie awards for 2008. However, there have been mixed reactions. By John Barr

ONE OBSERVER SAID THE FILM HAS A “FRESHNESS” WHICH “PORTRAYS A CHANGING INDIA, with great realism, as a land of self-makers, where the scruffy son of the slums can, solely of his own effort, hoist himself up, fl out his origins, break with fate.”

Others are less affirming, suggesting the film portrays India negatively. “The West loves to see us as a wasteland, fi lled with horror stories of exploitation and degradation” said one Indian critic. This is a stereotypical “white man’s imagined India” said another. “Its not quite snake charmers, but its close, it’s a poverty tour.”

The term “slumdog” has also inflamed reactions among slum dwellers. In Mumbai, posters were displayed saying “I am not a dog”. Meanwhile activists claim the movie is “offensive, demeaning and insulting”. Sadly, the term “slumdog” is now being used as a slur against Indians living overseas.

Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation of modern India? Few people would doubt that India is making its mark these days. The world’s largest democracy and the world’s second largest population cannot be ignored. Economic growth exceeding 9% in recent years has created an increase in living standards and India is now a global player in information technology, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, India does face massive problems with 300 million untouchables and 70 million tribals locked into a cycle of endemic poverty. Landless farm labourers still toil under oppressive conditions for a very meagre wage and religious minorities continue to be brutally persecuted.

Within the South Asia region India takes its place as a nuclear state alongside Pakistan. Unresolved confl icts in Kashmir, recent bomb attacks in Mumbai and fears about Pakistan’s ability to deal with serious internal confl icts are creating signifi cant regional tensions. The war in Sri Lanka and the fate of Tamil communities, who have strong links with South India, adds to the situation.

There is a complex juxtaposition here involving poverty and wealth, tradition and modernity, social harmony and the constant possibility of war.

Refusing to see India’s future in terms of pure chance or good luck, the Church of North India, the Church of South India and the Presbyterian Church of India are making constructive contributions to India’s future. These churches advocate on behalf of India’s minorities, they provide education and medical services to marginalized communities, they train young people to serve as future leaders and they offer a model of unity as barriers of caste, class, ethnicity and religion are broken down.