Wrong Map Controversy: Why Indians are furious with YouTube channel Real Engineer's Isro video
A recent video by the popular YouTube channel
Real Engineering
, titled "The Unlikely Rise of the Indian Space Program", has sparked major backlash in India. While the video lauded Isro's achievements, it featured a distorted map of India, excluding territories which are integral parts of the nation.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The omission triggered accusations that the channel was promoting a 'Western narrative' and disrespecting India's territorial integrity.
How the backlash started
Though the video was intended as a tribute to India's remarkable progress in space exploration – and received praise for its production quality – it quickly drew criticism for its geopolitical representation. Indian viewers flooded the comments section, accusing Real Engineering of insensitivity and political bias.
For many, the issue wasn't the content itself, but the deeper disrespect perceived in the inaccurate depiction of India's borders.
Real engineering's response
In response to the backlash, Real Engineering issued a strongly worded statement expressing disappointment over the reaction from Indian viewers. The creator noted that the video had taken two months to produce and cost tens of thousands of dollars, only to be criticised over what he described as a 'non-issue.'
He clarified that the map shown was the internationally recognised version of India and argued that it was not the responsibility of a YouTuber to navigate geopolitical disputes.
His post ended with the sign-off: 'I will not make the mistake of praising India again. Mission accomplished, guys.'
Comments that made it worse
The situation escalated after Real Engineering responded to a viewer's comment, which read: 'I don't have a problem with the name, I have a problem with the wrong map.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
If we do not highlight the issue, then how will it get solved?'
To this, Real Engineering replied: 'Someone who has family members died over stupid border disputes, none of it matters. Borders are a construct. The only thing that matters is that people are safe. Focus on that.'
This comment was widely condemned as dismissive and insensitive. Many Indians saw it as trivialising the real sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians in border conflicts.
The tone was perceived as not just uninformed, but as showing disregard for India's historical struggles and sovereignty.
Why the map matters in India
In India, depictions of its national borders are not just cartographic details—they're emotionally and politically charged. The country's official stance is clear: PoK and Aksai Chin are inalienable parts of India. Any deviation is seen not as a minor mistake, but a serious affront to national sovereignty.
Over the years, even global corporations and media outlets have faced repercussions for similar misrepresentations.
For many Indians, the issue is personal.
A lesson in context and respect
When it comes to matters of territorial integrity, individuals and organisations must tread carefully. It's easy to overlook the significance of national boundaries when operating from thousands of kilometres away, guided only by so-called 'internationally recognised borders.'
But for citizens of countries like India, every inch of land is tied to generations of history, culture, and sacrifice.
Put yourself in the shoes of an Indian: the bond with the land is not just about maps or geopolitical consensus—it's about identity, pride, and an unshakable commitment to unity. Praising a nation's accomplishments while disregarding its core values is like complimenting someone while stepping on their shoes—it invalidates the sentiment.
In Real Engineering's case, there may have been no deliberate malice. But the controversy underscores an important lesson: when speaking about another country, especially on global platforms, cultural and geopolitical sensitivity is essential. Technical accuracy is important—but context, awareness, and respect matter just as much. Ignoring that isn't just tone-deaf. It's bad storytelling.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Vijay Mallya credits himself for launching Deepika Padukone, Katrina with Kingfisher Calendar: ‘Picked the right talent'
Ex-businessman Vijay Mallya created a storm on the internet with his first-ever appearance in a podcast. He joined Raj Shamani to talk about his Kingfisher empire, life and more. During the conversation, he also took credit for launching Bollywood actors like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif during their early days through the popular Kingfisher Calendar. Talking about how the careers of the calendar girls took off after posing for him, he proudly declared that he picked the right talent. When asked about the success of the models who rose to fame after appearing in his calendar, Mallya said, "Well, because we chose the right girls. I mean, whether it was Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif, we had all the heroines and the stars on the calendar in their younger days.' When noted that these models featured in the calendar weren't celebrities at the time but later became popular, Mallya remarked, 'We picked well, we picked the right talent.' Besides Deepika and Katrina, the calendar also featured popular faces like Yana Gupta, Karishma Kothak, Bruna Abdullah, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta, Lisa Hayden, Saiyami Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Nora Fatehi, Shubra Aiyappa, and others. Vijay Mallya fled India in 2016 after being accused in a bank loan default case of over ₹ 9,000 crore. In the interview, he also said that he might come back to India if he is assured of a fair trial. When asked about returning to his country, Mallya said, 'If I am assured, Absolutely I will. I will think about it seriously.' 'But you should also be aware that there are other people who the government of India is targeting for extradition from the UK back to India, in whose case they have got judgment from the High Court of Appeal that Indian detention conditions are violative of the ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights],' he also added. "I'm sorry, and therefore they can't be sent back," he also said. "The plea was basically the prolonged detention without trial, for which we all know there are numerous examples. They just lock you up and throw away the key. That's not justice," he mentioned. Since 2016, Mallya has been staying in London.
News18
31 minutes ago
- News18
Iran Claims It Accessed Top-Secret Israeli Nuclear Files In Shadowy Covert Op: Report
Last Updated: Iran claims to have secured a large cache of sensitive Israeli intelligence, including files on nuclear facilities and defence plans. Iran on Saturday claimed that it has secured a large cache of 'strategic and sensitive" Israeli intelligence, including files on Israel's nuclear facilities and defence plans, news agency AFP said, citing state-controlled news television. The state-run broadcaster said: 'Iran's intelligence apparatus has obtained a vast quantity of strategic and sensitive information and documents belonging to the Zionist regime." The AFP report pointed out that the broadcaster did not disclose how the material was obtained or further details about the documents. The haul reportedly includes 'thousands of documents related to that regime's nuclear plans and facilities". Tehran claims the data was collected during a covert operation and consisted of a large volume of documents, images and videos. After secure transfer to Iran, the materials were thoroughly examined by authorities. Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war marked by covert operations and open conflict, including cyberattacks, targeted killings, drone strikes and sabotage efforts. Tehran accuses Israel of assassinating several of its nuclear scientists. Israel blames Iran for backing militant groups and attacking Israeli interests abroad. Western powers, led by the United States and Israel, which is widely regarded as the Middle East's only nuclear-armed state, accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran denies this but insists on its right to civilian nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which it is a signatory. The report comes amid rising tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, which Israeli leaders consider an existential threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently backed military strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Last year saw unprecedented tension between the two countries as they exchanged fire during Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Since Iran's 1979 revolution, it has made support for the Palestinian cause central to its foreign policy and does not recognise Israel's legitimacy. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sonali Bendre recalls welcoming Michael Jackson with Raj Thackeray to India in 1996: ‘I just wanted great tickets'
Sonali Bendre remains the only Bollywood actress to have had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of welcoming the late global pop icon Michael Jackson when he arrived in India for his HIStory World Tour in 1996. At the time, Bendre was joined by politician Raj Thackeray in organizing Jackson's grand welcome in Mumbai. Dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree, the actress performed a customary Indian ritual, applying a tilak to Jackson's forehead and performing an aarti, as he stepped off the plane at what was then known as Bombay Airport. Now, nearly three decades later, the Sarfarosh actress has opened up about how that unforgettable moment came to be. In a candid chat with ANI, Bendre revealed that the idea was initiated by Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, who had a personal connection with her family. 'They told me that you need to come and do that and be somebody who got in touch with me. I think it was Sharmila, Raj's wife. Sharmila's mother and my masi (aunt) have been friends for a long time, and she said, 'why don't you do it' (welcoming Michael Jackson),' Bendre recalled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo While many would have jumped at the chance to welcome the King of Pop, Bendre had one condition before agreeing to participate. 'I was like, okay, but then I want great tickets for the show and all of that with my friends. So I did it because I was getting these tickets to enter where I could take my friends and go to the show. My sister, sister's friends and all of that. We had this great seating. That's what I was so excited about when I did it,' she laughed. Sonali Bendre stuns in a fusion outfit at Sharmin Segal and Aman Mehta's wedding reception The HIStory World Tour was one of Michael Jackson's most ambitious global ventures, and his Mumbai concert became a landmark cultural event for Indian fans. His arrival and performance are still etched in the memories of many who witnessed the spectacle. In 1996, Sonali Bendre was riding high on a wave of success in Bollywood. That year saw her feature in major hits like Diljale, Sapoot, and Rakshak, which cemented her status as a rising star. Over the years, she went on to star in a string of popular films, including Aag, Keemat, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Indra, and Kal Ho Naa Ho, showcasing her range and enduring appeal in Indian cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
