November 8, 2009 by admin
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From our Correspondent
A Singapore Indian has expressed his shock and dismay of being
“swarmed” by overseas Indians within his own community!
In an interview with the state media, Mr K. Varatharaju, 43, a
factory owner related his own experience when he sent his youngest
daughter to Sarada Kindergarten in Bartley Road: He discovered that
she was one of only two Singaporean Indians in the class of 15.
(Source: Straits Times)
“When I go for a function and I see only expat Indians and no
Singaporean Indians, I feel uncomfortable – like the future is
being taken over by expats. What will happen in 15 or 20 years’
time, when my children start work?’ he asked.
In all likelihood, Mr Varatharju’s children will find themselves
competing with foreigners from all nationalities (not only expat
Indians) for a decent job if the ruling party’s liberal immigration
policy continues unabated.
Foreigners now made up 36 per cent of Singapore’s 5-million odd
population which means that one of out three people you see in the
streets are non-Singaporeans.
About 8 per cent of Singapore’s populations are Indians, most of
whom are ethnic Tamils whose descendants hailed from the southern
Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Singapore has a sizable number of expat Indians working in the
IT and engineering sectors and they come predominantly from the
northern Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and
Bangalore.
Apparently, Mr Varatharju does not feel comfortable with the
influx of overseas Indians in Singapore, just like how ethnic
Chinese are aghast at the arrival of large numbers of Chinese from
mainland China.
Though Singapore is a nation of immigrants, the four major races
of Singapore have lived together peacefully for decades and have
evolved an unique culture and identity which is separate from their
ancestral homelands.
For example, an ethnic Singapore Chinese will probably prefer
the Indian Roti Prata or the Malay Mee Rebus for breakfast than the
Chinese “jiao3 zi3″, a staple diet in northern China.
Mr Varatharju may find it easier to strike a conversation in
English with his Malay neighbors than an expat Indian from Mumbai
with a different accent.
Despite rising unhappiness and disgruntlement on the ground at
the relentless influx of foreigners, the ruling party is adamant
that foreigners are “essential” for Singapore.
In the past, foreigners are employed only in sectors shunned by
Singaporeans such as the construction industry.
Nowadays, foreigners can be found taking up semi-skilled jobs
like network administrators which can otherwise by filled by a
local.
Due to their lower wages, foreigners help to keep Singapore
businesses competitive which contributes to Singapore’s GDP
growth.
A substantial percentage of the ministers’ multi-million pay is
pegged to Singapore’s GDP growth rates.
The ruling party has lately unveiled a $10-million dollar mega
“Community Integration Fund” to make the newcomers feel “welcomed”
in Singapore.
As the number of expat Indians continue to rise in Singapore, Mr
Varatharju may find himself the one who needs to “integrate” into
the Singapore Indian community instead of the other way round.
Source: The Temasek Review
