In light of recent events

Sanjeev Sabhlok's blog, as I added above, has really been a plain good read for me bt I don't know if it will be to everyone else.
But for now, this is my blog and I suppose or I know rather I can say what I want here.
His recent blog and the link I've posted above is about the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia and about how the media has portrayed it. I find that I can see alot of truth in his words and I find it intriguing that he has written so honestly. Most importantly, he speaks of freedom and truth. And not of power alone.

Please read till the end, if u do start reading this.
http://sabhlok.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-justified-are-india-s-beliefs-about.html


There are some statements he's said that I truly agree with and I'm glad he's written bout them. However, I do feel its not limited to just Indians. Personally, Ive noticed them in quite a few Asian races on the whole and occassionally in others too. Not everyone is perfect at the end of the day and really there should be acknowledgement for this statement when writing public articles or when press release's are so blatantly slashed over headlines.

Anyway,here's some quotes from his blog:

"India is currently, in my view, one of the world's most racist countries. A fair skin not only gets you a better spouse (higher status husband, higher dowry from the wife, etc.) but a better job. Even in elections the fairer candidate generally receives higher votes; hence posters of candidates paint them almost pink no matter what their real complexion! Fair and Lovely creams do brisk business. But that is only the cosmetic element, no matter how deep rooted in the Indian psyche."

"The worst form of racism relates to the caste system which is in many ways based on historical differences in skin colour. Tens, if not hundreds, of people are brutally beaten/killed in inter-caste violence each year in UP and Bihar. Roughly half the population in India (if the rural people are included) deny merit a chance and give preference to someone based on caste in jobs. Tribal racism in the North East is rife. If you are a non-Khasi in Meghalaya your risk of physically being attacked by Khasi ruffians increases quite substantially, and so on across almost all parts of India. If you are a Bihari you can be beaten up in Assam, and vice versa (horrendous incidents of this nature have occurred not so long ago). And if you are a Bihari in Mumbai, then expect to be beaten up at whim (at least that is what they were threatened with not so long ago)."

"The Indian media is therefore completely wrong on this one, about calling Australia racist. In my experience, the most racist people I have met in Australia (and I've now been here for 9 1/2 years if you count my earlier stint of 1 year in '92-93) are many of the Indians who live here, not the old Australians. I have close friends among all so-called racial groups, but I have been badly shocked to find Indians speak to me in Hindi in front of their fellow workers about these 'Goras' in a derogative manner, or about 'Chinis', etc. Similarly, in USA I was shocked to find PhD students from India talk derogatively about 'Kallus' (American blacks). Indians who live abroad have this huge chip on their shoulder – racism."

"Most Indians who leave India are treated on merit and become successful and well-settled. That is why Indians are among the wealthiest single group in USA and Australia, among other places. On the other hand, in India they face caste and region discrimination their whole life. Or they must bribe their way to "success". So many have left that mess, happy to work in junior roles in the West where at least merit is recognised."

And this quote, is from his book "Breaking Free of Nehru":
“Let me give my own example. Had I migrated to India as an Australian citizen at age 41 (the age at which I came to Australia), I could never have entered government service at all for two reasons:
• no open recruitment is undertaken in India at that age; and
• non-citizens are not allowed to work in government in India anyway (in Australia, non-citizens are able to work in state government departments).
However, not only did I get a research job based on my technical statistical skills (nobody would consider me at the management level at that point!), but I was able to move into a management role after about three years."

"THE TASK OF OUR GENERATION: to demolish the concepts of race and caste

It is up to our generation to demolish these shameful concepts. I speak forthrightly thus not to condemn India or Indians generally but to set the facts straight and to ask what gives the Indian government the right to its arrogant belief that it can preach to Australia and others about racism. Express concerns about the safety of Indian students, sure! But to preach to Australia about racism. That's a total joke! Fix your own house first is what I'd recommend to India. Don't make a fool of yourself on the world stage given the huge amount of racism practiced in daily life in India today."



ID LIKE TO MAKE CLEAR THOUGH,that not everything he said should be accepted and nor do I personally accept them. There is alot more to comparing Australia and India- infact it simply cannot be done taking into consideration the great disparities. India isn't as developed or completely or even 80% educated as much as Australia is. To add to it,there are a few Australians themselves who would openly admit to their country being a bit racist. I do feel and agree with him that the whole situation should have an informed opinion, a balanced view and so articles like this or blogs as such should be made known.