Down Under!

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" So goes the saying. Every year Indians go to every nook and cranny of the globe to pursue that dream MBA or an MS. It’s imperative, though not an academic or legal requirement, to learn about the culture and understand how life abroad is, before one sets off. As an Indian student studying in England myself, I'm shocked and appalled to see most of my fellow Indians here can hardly form a simple sentence consisting of say 10 words without committing heinous grammatical errors. Having said this, it doesn't mean that I look down on them. My sincere condolences to the poor bloke who was attacked Down Under. Maybe he wasn't at fault. Anyway, we must not tar the Australians as Racists. Racism exists wherever you go. In fact I've faced more racist attacks from my own fellow countrymen than by the "goras" for a simple fact that I can speak English and they [ my countrymen that is ] can't and I can't speak their language and they can! We must collectively take the blame for the recent shocking events in Australia. Over the years, millions of Indians have gone abroad to pursue higher education. Each and every person has left an indelible mark on the Americans' or Australians' psyche as the case maybe. We are equally responsible for our acts. We should take the blame for the poor image we project of our Nation. It’s not entirely Aussies’ or the Brits’ fault, as the case maybe. The best defence is to blend in with the environment. That makes them native people feel less threatened. Instead, we provoke them by ignoring the fact that we are in a different country altogether. Ignorance is not always bliss. Trying to form your own 'desi' communities or groups and continuing our Indian lifestyle even abroad makes the native people feel insecure since the size of the communities or groups is quite large and they see that happen far too often. When the insecurity creeps in, the natives think we are not 'fit' to live in their country. Having said that, it doesn't mean that once you go abroad you HAVE to become all westernised and shed your old skin. By finding a right balance between blending in and yet not forget our roots is very important. This ensures that we project ourselves as more approachable and friendly. Its not only the Indians who are attacked abroad, going back a few years ago, several foreign tourists were raped and murdered in our country. Now this doesn’t paint a pretty picture of our country now does it? India is a country with a lot of problems. But we are a nation with a lot of potential. There is a staggering imbalance between people from modern cities and those from smaller or less modern towns. As a result when students from smaller towns or cities go abroad, the “culture shock” takes its toll on them. So they naturally tend to socialize or meet people from their home town. Over a period of time they become well acquainted and team up and live in groups of 10 and live under a roof meant for 5! Again, this enrages the native people living around them. This unhealthy behaviour should stop. There are many positive outcomes to changing ourselves. So its time we change ourselves. Its time we turn things around.