What is the theme in Burmese Days by George Orwell?

Rudyard Kipling published a poem entitled "The White Man's Burden", which is referenced in the text. The poem summarized the concept that the English, or white man, were morally responsible, hence burdened, for the betterment of non-white societies by instilling English values and Christian morality. In a practical sense, the white man's burden was used as the justification for the colonization and exploitation of non-white society and culture, including India and Burma.