Overview

• Anastasia Sharova, a Russian entrepreneur living in India, posted a detailed list debunking common foreign misconceptions that went viral and was covered by Hindustan Times, Mint, and Times Now.
• She emphasized linguistic plurality, citing 22 official languages, 121 major languages, and thousands of minor tongues in daily use.
• She disputed blanket claims that India is uniformly dirty or chaotic, pointing to rapid development and ultrafast conveniences such as minute-level grocery delivery.
• She highlighted regional festivals beyond Diwali and noted that Bollywood is only one part of a broader film landscape that includes thriving industries like Tollywood and Kollywood.
• She described diverse climates and travel experiences, from luxury palace stays and world-class heritage sites to organized train classes, while adding that many marriages are love matches and some acquaintances have chosen to move back to India.