As world shrinks…

These days Indians are travelling all over the world more than ever, either as professionals or for studies and then continue to work there. Half of my friends on facebook/orkut (social networking sites) are overseas. I, myself have travelled to 3 continents in my five years of career - London, Melbourne and now in Washington DC.

When I pick up Indian magazines every weekend I read about attacks on Indians in foreign land. It is very disheartening to read about the incidents and unfortunate that Indians are finding themselves in the news for wrong reasons. My friend asked me to blog about my experience in Melbourne. Lately majority of the attacks are happening in the land of Oz. so here is my take.

There could be several reasons why such attacks may be happening.

Job insecurity: Well this happens in India as well. People in Maharashtra protesting about migration of people from other states. Look at our own bengaluru. It is so cosmopolitan that one need not know Kannada to find his/her way around. Even the chaiwaala can converse in hindi/English. Infact there is a good chance he may be from another state.

Media: for all the unwanted hype. NRN once rightly pointed the way Indian media works. Any bad news makes the front page and constructive news is mentioned in a snippet at a corner. Even the Australian delegates pointed the same. Indian media is filled with many round the clock news channels. Bad quality video footage of attacks on Indians flash on the screen countless times a day. Remember the way H1N1 news created paranoia. Even I was worried when in India for a month at that time. Later constructive ads started appearing and the panic died down even though H1N1 still continued its death toll.

Australia is very outgoing country. Aussies are passionate and proud about their country. One of the least populated places on earth. If I were to make a point on their behalf, they would be quite taken aback with all the migration of other nationalities. But one question bothers me. Why are Indians being targeted? They are not even on the top of immigration ladder. Maybe aussies are afraid to test Asians martial arts skills or maybe the fact that India outperforms Australia in cricket.
Random attacks happen every night in Melbourne. If Indian media were not to hype about such attacks maybe the attacks will continue to remain random, instead of developing a pattern of bashing Indians alone. Many Indians who complain about these attacks also choose to be citizens of the same country. So why create a hoopla. No place is heaven in this age.

What should be done about the whole issue? Well my opinion is that there is no single/straightforward answer. Australian police has to get more vigilant, Indians should try and avoid being at the wrong place at even good times, and Indian media learn not to make a big fuss of it. Foreign nationals are raped and abused in India as well. No one complains about that or goes to their support. Things won't sort out in a jiffy. It will take its time. Let us learn to live harmoniously till there is oneness in reality. Peace :)