At various events we hear the British politicians and our own Lords and MPs praising the achievements of the Asians, especially the Indian community. So far so good.
But to keep on heaping praise on some very successful tycoons or enterprising professionals is not enough.
Within the community some 30% people sadly are likely to be unemployed or unemployable. The reason could be many. Besides the overall economic environment and the changing pattern of employment, it could also be the lack of a level playing field for non-white job seekers.
It is a well-known fact that educated Asians and blacks are unable to obtain proper jobs easily, very often because of who they are rather than what they are capable of doing. Several national surveys have revealed this fact. Hardly any national, especially political leader speaks intelligently and forcefully about thousands of overseas students who come to UK and were cheated by fraudulent colleges.
Similarly, the Asian shopkeepers are undergoing severe strain in the changing scenario of retail activities. Africa was allegedly discovered by some European explorers. Perhaps people need to be reminded that in East and Central Africa dukawallahs, mainly of Indian origin, had penetrated deep into the interiors prior to the European explorers.
The children and grandchildren of dukawallahs became corner shop owners, a loose term for Asians, predominantly of Indian entrepreneurs who have reinvigorated several run-down high street and council estate shops, when they migrated to the UK.
Because they are ‘independent' they have been unable to have a united and strong voice.
The Central Government and local Government have not done much to alleviate the unfair treatment meted out to such enterprising group of people.
It is all very well to praise a few who are outstandingly successful. They deserve it but equally the powers that maybe and our own Lords and MPs should ensure that they should not ignore the vast majority who have disadvantage for obvious reasons or for no fault of their own.
The Parliament has been discussing immigration every now and then, but our own voices seem to be silent. Why?
India is doing well but has its own problems too.
India has confirmed its position as the fastest growing major economy with 7.3% real GDP in the final quarter of last year compared to the same period of 2014.
The Central Statistical Office has predicted that Indian growth would be 7.6% for the full year – highest for 5 years.
Indeed, this is remarkable when the Chinese GDP grew by 6.9% in 2015, a 25-year low. India received special bonus as a very big oil importer during the period of oil price collapse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several initiatives to increase manufacturing sector. His 'Make in India' initiative is not yet rolling but there are several large investments on the way (See Scrutator's page no.12).
The Modi Government is facing an uphill task to pass several important legislations in the Upper House of Parliament where he is facing stiff opposition from the majority members belonging to Congress and other political outfits. Some misguided religious zealots from affiliated organisations of the BJP are also creating unnecessary and avoidable problems for the ruling party.
Equally India's growth is not largely dependent on exports, though it depends on rain God which has not been very kind for the last two seasons.
Indians in India and abroad have put their faith in PM Modi. Though he is facing an uphill task, overall the odds are probably in his favour.
Why Hindus are the happiest?
A study compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveals that religious people from all different faiths are happier than those who have “no religion”.
Of all the faiths from the UK, in a ranking of 10 Hindus (7.57) are the happiest, scoring well above the national average. Christians (7.47), of all the denominations, were the second happiest followed by the Sikhs (7.45) and Buddhists (7.41).
Followers of religion were more happier than those who belong to “no religion”.
In the happiness index, the Jews somehow are at 7.37 below the national average. Muslims had the lowest happiness ranking of the religions listed with a score of 7.33.
This ONS report analysed personal well-being data of more than 300,000 adults in the UK during 3 years – between 2012 and 2015.
Such statistics are open for different interpretations. But in simple terms the ethos of Hindus with an age-old tradition of values would have played an important part in formulating their mindset. It is not too difficult to recollect the basic guideline of Hinduism.
All men are equal:
अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसां उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकं
ayam bandhurayam neti ganana laghuchetasam udaracharitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam
(Only small men discriminate saying: One is a relative; the other is a stranger. For those who live magnanimously the entire world constitutes but a family).
Or Only one God with different names:
“Ekam evadvitiyam”
(He is One only without a second).
Similarly, I would like to go to Isha Upanishad and quote:
ishavasyam idam sarvam
yat kincha jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhunjitha
ma gridhah kasya svid dhanam
ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।
तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ।।
(Whatever moves in this world is enveloped by Isha (the Lord). Enjoy it with renunciation; do not covet other man’s wealth).
Let there be no misunderstanding. No one should think Hindus have no expectations, ambitions or they do not have the drive or the determination. They have all these things, besides traditional spiritual values.
– CB
