THE INTERNATIONAL - International Indian

[ DEsH Aur DiAsporA ]
Abraham Joseph, Carol & sons Mathew (Left) and Mark (Right): Indians are more reticent in expressing themselves
keep trying to talk about our culture and
past glory. The rest of the world has moved
on. Indians outside India are very driven and
want to achieve and play down what we see as
“our shortcomings,” he suggests. “Indians in
India seem to be coming out of their comfort
zones now; but they are disadvantaged by
the lack of international perspective. Overall
they seem to be a bit more in a time warp, but
that is purely my personal observation.”
Echoing Anil’s observations, is Vinod
Bhatia, Manager Sales, of Expat Properties,
who was born and raised in Dubai, “I feel
that the lack of exposure to the western world
tends to make Indians in India a lil’ more
narrow minded than those raised abroad.
However, having said that, I also do feel that
they are more independent, aggressive and
ambitious than the pampered youth brought
up in the Gulf.”
Most of Vinod’s closest friendships were
formed during his university days in Texas
where being away from family, he formed
strong ties. “My peer group has a greater
influence because it comprises people from
different parts of the world and hence I get
to learn and experience a lot more through
them rather than family,” he explains.
Vinod’s worldview is clearly not of the
typical Indian setting where family influence
can be stifling; he was fortunate to be nurtured
in a home where he was encouraged to think
for himself. He finds Indians abroad are more
broadminded, and observes that, “people
from the West are more forthcoming, more
confident, friendlier, not as judgemental,
and surprisingly are less discriminatory.
You will find the odd ones who may not be
as pleasant, but that’s just one in many. Our
own countrymen tend to have an inferiority
complex which is like shooting yourself in
the leg when you are out there running in
the real world.”
Not surprisingly Vinod’s future plans
exclude India although he likes to visit. “I
would not be able to cope with the infinite
variance –the lifestyle, the conditions and
various other factors would deter me from
ever settling there,” he admits, pointing also
to what many NRIs would agree. “Indians
within India tend to be more racist than those
out of India. Indians abroad are in touch with
various nationalities day in and day out and
hence they do not tend to feel inferior or
superior to anyone.”
Still a bachelor, Vinod considers Indian
women to be more family-centric and
sacrificing when it comes to caring about
the home. “Western women tend to be
more independent and hence many-a-times
personal goals and achievements are on
par with family in terms of priorities,” he
observes. Vinod is probably a good example
of how the Diaspora’s influence is stronger
in some aspects and the confidence and
preference many NRIs have about remaining
“
indians within india
tend to be more racist
than those out of india.
indians abroad are
in touch with various
nationalities day in
and day out and hence
they do not tend to feel
inferior or superior to
anyone.
”
overseas. It is a scenario especially common
with young Gulf Indians who consider the
region home even though citizenship is not a
privilege available to expatriates in any Gulf
country.
As someone who has spent considerable
time outside India, Abraham Joseph, Senior
General Manager, Gulf, Middle East &
North Africa of Jet Airways believes that
exposure makes people change. “You meet
different nationalities, you work with them,
interact and socialize with them and this
gives you a different perspective than what
you were used to while living in India. You
also get to know quite a bit about each others’
cultures and you learn to appreciate all
this, which helps you shed your prejudices
and look at things more rationally,” he
explains. “Language has no influence in our
friendships. Our close friends are those we
are comfortable with and those with whom
we can have a good time. My wife Carol and
I have a mix of nationalities as friends.”
Abraham’s feelings for India are strong
and he plans to relocate there eventually. “I
feel wonderful about India….and I feel it’s a
great country. I’ve been to quite a number of
countries and lived in Europe and Canada. I
strongly feel that India is no less as a country
than many European countries. Every
country has its own problems to handle in
a way best suited for that place. India does
the same. Many say that there is a lot of
24
THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN