Sunday, June 7, 2009

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.

8 comments:

Ketan said...

Hi!

It's surprising I somehow missed this post despite subscribing to your blog.

I really liked the fact that you've come up with an analytical post. Very accurate. It has potential to benefit far too many people if they take it in broadminded manner.

Yes, Indians' forming large groups and staying too loyal to them can certainly come as intimidating to them. My post--'Communalism' somewhat deals with the possible basic psychology behind it. It might also give you an idea of why people are so protective of their traditions and cultures.

http://ketanpanchal.blogspot.com/2009/03/communalism.html

I feel one more reason there are attacks against Indians is Indians' displacing the native population from their businesses and jobs by way of more cost-effective and maybe, also, more efficient.

We Indians, have one wrong expectation of other countries--we feel we have a "right" to go and work/study in other countries. We forget each time someone's visa application gets rejected, or when the US puts a new cap on number of visas that it's entirely that country's prerogative to take employees/students in their country in accordance with their requirements and cost-benefit analyses.

I agree with all your points :)

Thanks for an insightful post.

TC.

Vishwas said...

Ketan,

Thanks for the comments! Yeah I know I've been living here for roughly 5 months now and its quite surprising the things that are going on right now. The economic scenario isn't good, there is political instability as well. So the native people are becoming pretty frustrated at the moment. And to add to the complications, you have scores of students coming in from different countries. So its not a very pretty picture I would say.

Coming to your blog, there one too many posts! So I've decided to make some time and go through all your posts one at a time!

Cheers!

Aparna said...

Indians have been the biggest racists. And its very apparent when we travel. It's apparent when a South Indian goes to Delhi or any place in the north, and otherwise. well, probably also the reason why when one of us goes abroad, we are offended easily.. The virtue of someone's familiarity with his/her own land, becomes a vice of alienation of one's own. Besides, we seek a horrifying comfort in sounding victimized. That really is the issue. I remember the time I was in Germany as a part of cultural exchange program last year; we were totally 10 of us.. on most occasions, most Indians in the group felt the need to defend themselves about anything Indian..it seemed uncalled for, and insanely juvenile!!
its time some of us stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and treat each of our own lot with some civility. aggression definitely doesn't help, most definitely not, when its not required!!

Vishwas said...

Hi Aparna,

Thank you for your thoughts on my post. Yes you are absolutely right. Even back home, the Shiv senas and Thackerays and the other extremists are nothing but racists! There's no point in pointing fingers at other nations when we ourselves are at fault. Its the lack of education and understanding which causes us such problems. We let our diversity affect us negatively. We have so much potential as a nation. Instead of channelizing our resources to build us a better future, we invest large sums of our thoughts and understanding in destructive actions.

Yes its absolutely true, we should stop feeling sorry for ourselves because I know for a fact that we can be just as good as any of the first world countries or for all you know we can be much better. Its important that education and information play an important role not just for the privileged ones but for the ones that lack them. I sincerely hope we work toward a better future.

Thanks once again for your valuable comments!

Vishwas

tropical seagull said...

this post needs to get into the editorial of some paper.
its really good.

Vishwas said...

Hahaha yeah maybe in the least read newspaper! Lol But thanks anyway!

Operation Crazyhouse said...

I remember when Shilpa Shetty was a victim of racism in some reality show in England.. It recieved soo much tantrums from Indians living in India and abroad that, it was aired as a primary news in all the channels.. and I was watching that with my sister and said... "They are sooo bad.. Poor Shilpa.." My sister instantly asked very casually.. "are we perfect? even to this day,untouchability is existent in our country.. we critcize someone based on caste and how can we accuse someone of something when we ourselves are the biggest loopholes in terms of discrimination?".. That was such an awakening for me... Even to this day, in my native, untouchability IS STILL EXISTENT...!!! Your eyebrows may raise, but that is the fact.. So, pehle khud ko sudharo.. baad mein doosron ko taane do...!!! If you dont respect your fellow human beings inside your OWN COUNTRY, dont expect others to respect you inside THEIR COUNTRY..!!!

Vishwas said...

Manasa,

You've nailed it! Absolutely correct! So the most important thing to do is bring in change within ourselves first. There is so much to life and people are immersed in hate and anger. Anyway change is the key word here!

Thanks for your thoughts Manasa!

Cheers,
Vishwas