Dreams and hopes unlimited !!!! Beckoning are the glories of life in far away lands, opportunities galore, to work/study in better conditions, with good facilities and exposure, to realize the dreams of a good career, recognition and financial reward. These may be the expectations and concepts of anyone choosing to work/ study abroad.
The greener pasture of the dreams is far from the reality as pictured by the flooding reports of robbery and attacks (especially from Australia) against the Indians. Numerous cases might not have drawn our attention as they go unreported. It is not clear at this stage whether its racism or some other issue which is behind these attacks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated with much pomp. The week (Jan 7-9, 2010) of glitters and gala is over. The authorities did succeed in showing their concern to the NRIs/ PIOs abroad and in pleasing as well as wooing them by offering dual citizen ship.
Indian diaspora is one of the successful, influential and efficient professional/ work force. The intellectual and managerial capacities of the people from the “land of saints, snake charmers and bullock carts” are now recognized world wide. Thanks to the Indian diaspora who, through their outstanding and remarkable work have overcome the ignorance the west had of this nation and succeeded in leaving an indelible footprint in all the sectors in which they have chosen to work. Thanks to the highly motivated hardworking individuals abroad who keep their cultural and emotional contact with the country of origin. Indian diaspora is as diverse as the nation itself. Living abroad as such is easy for the people of India and they find it easy to fit into the different cultural and social background in alien lands. The boundaries of language, region and religion fade away. The question is to merge with a larger world, a world which is very different from that of our own. Skilled labour have migrated to the developing countries while less-skilled ones have opted for the Middle East countries. Nearly 30 million people live in the US alone!! The investment made by NRIs in India is as much as $50 billion as per the recent statistics. With all appreciation for the efforts and contributions of the Indians abroad for the development of the country, let the focus be shifted to some major issues which need to be addressed keeping politics at bay. The ground realities are neither as glittering as the celebrations nor are so heart-warming.
It needs immense hardwork to succeed in unfamilar terrain adjusting to the different time zones, food, cultural and social conditions. The laws of the land are entirely different. It takes time to familiarize, to accommodate and reorient one to such conditions. But why majority of Indians choose to go abroad and permanently settle over there? Is it in our genes? Education in esteemed Institutes of repute seems to be a mere gateway to life abroad. Population in the country is exploding at a disastrous pace and at this rate we are definitely going to surpass China. There are fewer opportunities in India for even the well-educated. With favoritisms and unbridled politics, only the rich, mighty and the powerful can live in India comfortably. The fantasies and fascinations about better conditions abroad makes one to take any risk to reach there. Leaving the country in search of greener pastures seems to be the only way out…. a golden ray of hope or a meek straw to hold on for a sinking life… A better life abroad is like chasing a mirage for these unfortunate!!!!
The financial crunch back home might have driven many to work in pitiable conditions especially in the Gulf countries. Property, land and other valuable possessions are sold in total, just to obtain a visa. But all the woven dreams are shattered by the harsh realities. Many are cheated by the unscrupulous agents; many chose to work/ in inhuman, appalling conditions risking their lives just to support their family back home. Many are stranded and trapped in these countries as their passport and visa are confiscated by the employers. Luring the foreigners with false promises of a decent job, employing them in petty jobs, illegal detention of the workers etc have become very common. Some surpass all these and make a life abroad, some just stay back never wanting to return to the more dreaded conditions back home, but some (majority) may yearn to return to their home land at any cost. There are many many real life stories (especially of the people from Kerala who chose to work in Gulf countries). The recent issue is that of Indian brides duped by NRIs. There may be still many issues which need considerable and serious attention by the authorities concerned (not written here due to inadequate exposure or lack of experience).
Offering dual citizen ship with an eye on the cash is just ridiculous and reflects the irresponsible attitude of the concerned. Votes for cash or cash for votes? How many of the affluent NRIs do want to return to their home land? Whether the people who leave their roots for ever for a better life, need to be given votes is a different issue altogether. Again it’s India, a democratic country where anything and everything (read as ‘bad’) is possible. So why not sell democracy itself in return for money? That was not new, but happening in our incredible India and will happen in future too. Only new areas for corruption need to be identified. Instead of only wooing the affluent NRIs, why not the concerned focus on the problems of millions of NRIs toiling and trapped in foreign lands on occasions such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas!!
Let us come out of the fascinations and fantasies and face the realities as they are!!!!
The greener pasture of the dreams is far from the reality as pictured by the flooding reports of robbery and attacks (especially from Australia) against the Indians. Numerous cases might not have drawn our attention as they go unreported. It is not clear at this stage whether its racism or some other issue which is behind these attacks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated with much pomp. The week (Jan 7-9, 2010) of glitters and gala is over. The authorities did succeed in showing their concern to the NRIs/ PIOs abroad and in pleasing as well as wooing them by offering dual citizen ship.
Indian diaspora is one of the successful, influential and efficient professional/ work force. The intellectual and managerial capacities of the people from the “land of saints, snake charmers and bullock carts” are now recognized world wide. Thanks to the Indian diaspora who, through their outstanding and remarkable work have overcome the ignorance the west had of this nation and succeeded in leaving an indelible footprint in all the sectors in which they have chosen to work. Thanks to the highly motivated hardworking individuals abroad who keep their cultural and emotional contact with the country of origin. Indian diaspora is as diverse as the nation itself. Living abroad as such is easy for the people of India and they find it easy to fit into the different cultural and social background in alien lands. The boundaries of language, region and religion fade away. The question is to merge with a larger world, a world which is very different from that of our own. Skilled labour have migrated to the developing countries while less-skilled ones have opted for the Middle East countries. Nearly 30 million people live in the US alone!! The investment made by NRIs in India is as much as $50 billion as per the recent statistics. With all appreciation for the efforts and contributions of the Indians abroad for the development of the country, let the focus be shifted to some major issues which need to be addressed keeping politics at bay. The ground realities are neither as glittering as the celebrations nor are so heart-warming.
It needs immense hardwork to succeed in unfamilar terrain adjusting to the different time zones, food, cultural and social conditions. The laws of the land are entirely different. It takes time to familiarize, to accommodate and reorient one to such conditions. But why majority of Indians choose to go abroad and permanently settle over there? Is it in our genes? Education in esteemed Institutes of repute seems to be a mere gateway to life abroad. Population in the country is exploding at a disastrous pace and at this rate we are definitely going to surpass China. There are fewer opportunities in India for even the well-educated. With favoritisms and unbridled politics, only the rich, mighty and the powerful can live in India comfortably. The fantasies and fascinations about better conditions abroad makes one to take any risk to reach there. Leaving the country in search of greener pastures seems to be the only way out…. a golden ray of hope or a meek straw to hold on for a sinking life… A better life abroad is like chasing a mirage for these unfortunate!!!!
The financial crunch back home might have driven many to work in pitiable conditions especially in the Gulf countries. Property, land and other valuable possessions are sold in total, just to obtain a visa. But all the woven dreams are shattered by the harsh realities. Many are cheated by the unscrupulous agents; many chose to work/ in inhuman, appalling conditions risking their lives just to support their family back home. Many are stranded and trapped in these countries as their passport and visa are confiscated by the employers. Luring the foreigners with false promises of a decent job, employing them in petty jobs, illegal detention of the workers etc have become very common. Some surpass all these and make a life abroad, some just stay back never wanting to return to the more dreaded conditions back home, but some (majority) may yearn to return to their home land at any cost. There are many many real life stories (especially of the people from Kerala who chose to work in Gulf countries). The recent issue is that of Indian brides duped by NRIs. There may be still many issues which need considerable and serious attention by the authorities concerned (not written here due to inadequate exposure or lack of experience).
Offering dual citizen ship with an eye on the cash is just ridiculous and reflects the irresponsible attitude of the concerned. Votes for cash or cash for votes? How many of the affluent NRIs do want to return to their home land? Whether the people who leave their roots for ever for a better life, need to be given votes is a different issue altogether. Again it’s India, a democratic country where anything and everything (read as ‘bad’) is possible. So why not sell democracy itself in return for money? That was not new, but happening in our incredible India and will happen in future too. Only new areas for corruption need to be identified. Instead of only wooing the affluent NRIs, why not the concerned focus on the problems of millions of NRIs toiling and trapped in foreign lands on occasions such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas!!
Let us come out of the fascinations and fantasies and face the realities as they are!!!!
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