HATS OFF
Your cover story “Malaysian Indians Defying Odds” (August 2007) showed a part of the world where the light of Indian interest rarely if ever shines. We Indians are overly obsessed by the high-tech Silicon Valley Indians and the megarich Mittals. Indians in Malaysia have so far been beyond our radar but now that their stories are being narrated to us, we should have more dialogue with them. Malaysian Indians have few backers in a system where quotas and turf wars rule. But after decades of discrimination, Indians in Malaysia are rising—let’s salute these brave and industrious people.
Amit Gupta
Fresno, US
As a Malaysian Indian who left my country eight years ago for the West, let me tell you that your story made me want to return. I know you’ll find this unbelievable, but I really am pining to go back, set up a business and contribute to my community. People like are P. Kasi, Haji Thasleem, P.K. Kukreja and Samy Velu are amazing role models. I’m sure they’ll inspire the next generation of Indians in Malaysia.
Ramesh Adhimoolam
Hong Kong
Go to any part of the world and you’ll see that wherever English speaking people meet, they hit if off very well. They may be Canadians, British, Australians, New Zealanders or even Americans, but what unites them is a common heritage. That’s exactly what should unite Indians in any part of the world. Let’s bring together the power of all the Indian communities in various parts of the world and walk strong. But first let’s welcome the spirit of the Malaysian Indians. These people really have come through fire to tell their story.
Raj Tripathi
New York, US
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KANGAROO IN COURTS
After reading about the Mohammed Haneef episode (Justice Aussie Style), I’m sure where the term Kangaroo courts originated. The Aussies are not a tolerant people so it’s no surprise to me that they treated Haneef so badly. You think President George Bush would talk about Barry Bonds’ drug charges? Or that an Indian Prime Minister would ever talk about Inzamam ul-Haq flirting with the Indian Cricket League? No, nyet, never. But Australian PM John Howard has openly called M. Murlidharan a chucker! In fact, the opposition leader last month described India as a “rogue state that lied its way to the nuclear bomb”. Call it jealousy over India’s prosperity or the anger due to frustration over the marginalisation of Australia in Asia, but that’s the level these Aussies can stoop to. Mark my words, they won’t stop with Haneef.
Vineet Ahlawat
Singapore
STAY UNITED, NRIS
I want to share with INDIA EMPIRE readers a strange Pravasi experience. As a Delhiite on my first visit abroad (to New York), I was shocked by the complete disunity in Indian immigrant ranks. Certain Indians were more comfortable hobnobbing with Pakistanis because of their common language rather than dine or talk with other Indians. I hope this is not a common thing worldwide though I suspect it is. I’m all for globalisation, but as the experience of Yugoslavia shows, it’s all down to the tribal level now. When Indians face trouble, who do you think will come running to help? Pakistanis and Colombians?
Ajay Iyer
Berlin, Germany
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