What was the Indian professor's view of Mr. Gopal's ignorance?

The professor viewed Gopal as typical of Indians, whom he said were largely ignorant of their own history and religion. Quoting the Indian writer, V.S. Naipaul, the professor said most Indians were eager to avoid the appearance of ignorance in front of Westerners and therefore made up stories to cover their lack of knowledge.The one exception, he claimed, were old men who suddenly become worried about the afterlife and begin learning Hinduism.