Visitors to India are frequently enchanted by the spirited decoration of trucks which traverse the nation. We are immediately drawn to the quaintness of English phrases like Horn Please which are commonly emblazoned on the rear of commercial vehicles.
However we often miss the assortment of Hindi phrases – the most common of which reads Mera Bharat Mahan (मेरा भारत महान) meaning My India is Great. This patriotic declaration was popularised by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in his campaigning efforts to evoke a spirit of modernity across the nation. It went on to become a favoured proclamation of Indian cricket fans. The slogan prevalently graces the tailgates of trucks which cross state and cultural boundaries in a diversely painted salute to national pride.
Sometimes the sentiment is translated into English…
And other times things get a bit jumbled…
Related posts:
Indian Street Graphics (Flickr)
Street Art Gets Behind the Wheel
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much for these posts. I lived in India and miss it all the time. Good job. Keep it coming!
Thank you for this discovery. Its crazy how I’ve noticed all these signs over the years that I’ve lived in India, yet so conveniently overlooked the beauty in them. Its absolutely refreshing seeing sights and sounds through your eyes. Encourages me to pay better attention next time I’m home.