While writing this blog, I am sitting YVR Vancouver airport lounge and one fellow Punjabi just dropped me at the Airport. He is not my friend or relation, but we just happened to see each other in Delta near Vancouver. We were chatting on our way while coming to Airport. I am flying back to India. He is a webmaster, of this site, and keeps on posting blogs and some advise that this site. While were talking our experiences coming to this country “Ranked as best place to live in the world” for umpteen times, he asked me to pen down my experiences and post on his site. Writing on an issue gives vent to your sad memories and I was obliged to him for the lift, which otherwise would have cost me about $ 60 for the taxi or if translated to home currency is not a sizable sum.
Before coming to Canada, I had actually seen Canada and US in movies only. There is a great difference in Hindi movies and English movies in a sense, that while Indian movies, to great extent show the true India, English movies, or least the few I have seen, show These countries as a land of glamour.
I am so confused I know, I don’t know from where to start. You may find it out of the place, but believe me; those who return and those who don’t; are unanimous in their view that Government in India needs to be more honest and trustworthy. It is that bullshit system of corruption which to great extent is making us home less. Our country is cheaper to live in, every thing is cheaper and abundant; but trust politicians to make mess of every thing. Before coming to Canada, I had lost a cell phone of mine which was covered under Insurance. Despite my best efforts, I could not get a FIR lodged, which should have been my birth right in “Mera Baharat Mahaan”. I friend of mine offered me that he knows SP and can get the same registered, but some stupid idea struck me that I must get the same as matter of my right, but I was wrong. These men in Khaki are virtual rulers of the country who have spoiled the entire fabric. In Canada, you just can not imagine a thing like that happening to you.
There are two types of people form our community; those who would hate to see you and those who go out of their way to help you. I had interaction of both types. It was really nice to see the types of people who hate to help. In fact, to some extent they also made my mind to return. There are many NGOs being run by them which are supposed to help you. But consider their mechanism. They get a grant for helping you, and from the grant, they run their own fiefdom. A large part of grant is virtually pocketed in one way or another. Even if they have a job for you, you wont get till you get a referral for them, which enables them to earn money. After you get referral, you may or may not get a job; who cares. They have virtually imported the “Great Indian Culture of Corruption” here too. Then why do I stay in this country, where “my people” are as corrupt, and Goras will not mix well with you?
People away from home, probably make it a point to show that they love their country and religion more than any thing else. Gurudwaras have been made a stage to further their gains. In India too, SGPC is Jagir of Badals and like, so how is Canada different?
Those who are affluent, are at their best, to show off their material possessions and would do least to help you. In fact, it is these people who would give you measly salary, or exploit you, than the locals here, the way we do with bihari domestic helps. People may not admit, but 95% of the Punjabi people are Biharis of Canada. If in a discussion, a reference comes of a person who earns more than 50,000 in India, immediate, as a reflex action, some body would ask a question, why is he then immigrating here? This would not be understood for people of my types, who considered themselves very strong emotionally before coming to Canada. Discrimination here is not in the talks of natives here but is definitely there in the Air, which ALL would sense. Only degree would vary.
Another question, which I would like to ask readers, is, if Tanzania or Uganada gives you same employment opportunities as Canada gives (I do not say Canada gives immense to first generation immigrants), would you immigrate to Uganda or Africa too? I do not think. Indians over there are also in queue to immigrate to Canada. What is the difference? Color of the skin of natives here? Forget, if you think, you would get any Bhaav from them.
I went to some social parties here in Canada. In variably in each party, some body came to me and insisted on a drink from his side. Why? He wanted to be with a guy from his country. Why do people nurse a sense of bonding here? He wont offer me a drink in India. This reflects the unspoken feeling of sadness in their minds.
There is a great pizza shop in Delta area. We ordered a pizza at 1 AM and the shop was taking orders. 2 beautiful young ladies were working with two gentlemen from India and a child, looking as their son. Some were scrubbing the shop floor, and others something similar menial. Nothing wrong in hard work, I must say. But why not such hard work in their own country. Just ask a neighborhood bhabi to serve you tea at 11PM. If you work this hard there, you can have similar prosperity, but Punjabis as we are, we need a peg the moment sun goes down. These ladies when returning to India would have power of multiple of 40 and give many people ulcers there. In turn would make many nurture western dreams, as I had. No body back home would appreciate the rut they go through here.
In that shop, once a local MLA was in queue, who is a rich and influential man. No body gave him way. Such systems are definitely better here, but I don’t know why we can not do the same back home. Why Indian politicians drive with 10 escort cars and make all traffic go haywire, which ever road they pass.
Is it easy to plant a tree that grown in Hills, 100 kms from Chandigarh in plains say Chandigarh? But we seem to think, we can grow successfully 14000 kms away. There is difference in growing and just making money. If you know this difference, forget Canada, if you don’t, DO immigrate to Canada, you would be a lot happier.
As for me, I am going to India, to same corrupt system, same burly and arrogant system, where definitely, nepotism works. I would like to make friend with a SHO there, so that when my next mobile is stolen, relations would come handy. After all, that land, is mine. At least, it will be able to give me simple Daal Roti, and I can not leave that just because we elect corrupt leaders.
Sajjan Kumars, Bhagats, Tytlers Modis and Policemen can not drive me away from my country.