Some of my friends asked me- you have stayed for 5-months there and wrote about the developments in that country but you have not written any thing about Indians and their life style and status in that country.
It is a good relevant question.
- The Indian population has touched 14 million. or 16% of the total population.
- The Mexicans – 7.i millions.
- Philippines – 1.3
- Japanese – 1.2
America grant visas for higher studies.
- Indians- 15,000 to 20,000
- Japanese – 45,000.
- Koreans – 30,000.
Indians who came before 1965 were all for doing the house hold works and restriction category. From 1965 on wards they stopped granting visas for the above category and only Doctors and Engineers allowed for higher studies.
During the Viet Nam war many Americans were drafted for war and to fill up the void visa restrictions were relaxed and many Indians joined Air Port services and mechanics, nurses etc.
Many Indians who came from Uganda-driven out by Idi Amin started the Motel business and became rich.
1990 saw the development of computer and large number of software engineers were needed and Indians took the opportunity to move into America.
Indians occupy the second place to take highest salary.
Silicon valley – California- San Francisco provides maximum employment to Indians.
Indians who were doing the lowest category of work 25-years before. But New generation Indians are now in Fortune 500 companies as CEOs and Executives of US Airlines, United Airlines etc.
in Silicon Valley more than 300 companies are owned by Indians. 40% of venture capital is used by Indians.
Only 6% of Indians are in below poverty line in America.
24% of Motels belongs to Indians.
How they achieved such a status?
Analysis shows:
- Able to speak and write English fluently.
- Highly Qualified.
- Family and tradition and lead a disciplined life.
- Good administrative qualities and interest to start Own enterprises.
- Very good qualification and interest in research works.
Apart from the above the encouragement and opportunities provided by America.
Some Important Names:
Manoj Shayamalan: His Parents both settled as Doctors. He stood first in School. His parents wanted to bring him as Doctor but He was interested in Film Making and allied subjects and took the degree from New York University.
He entered Walt Disney Studios with his story-Sixth Sense. Company gave him the chance and asked him to direct the film and gave 2.5 million dollars. The film paid back 325% of the expenditure.
Saber Bhatia: a Well-known Figure all over the world with his Hot Mail.Com. He brought his company as popular as Yahoo and sold to Microsoft for 300 million dollars.
Kamal Rake and Narbad Bhandari: Financing Indian entrepreneurs with out profit.
Prof George Hart: Tamil Professor in California University. Translated the Tamil Literature- Pura Nanuru into English and software to write fluently in Tamil. An America married and Indian woman who is also a colleague of him.
Asokan and Venkatraman: Owner and Editor of Thendral- the Tamil monthly for Tamils in California.
Rakesh Gangwal IIT from India- Airways CEO.
Rajat Gupta: IIT from India-CEO of Mackenzie.
When we write the history of Indians in America we cannot forget the contribution by Dilip Singh Sound. He came to America i 1920 and struggled to get employment due to color.
He started as agricultural worker and married an American woman. He purchased land on her name and started his career. He obtained Doctorate in Mathematics in 1922.
In 1957 he became a Senator and 3- times he was elected to this post. He established the Indian Association and did yeoman services to Indian Community and placed them as honorable citizens.
I feel that Indians here have formed a circle among them and adopt their living with in this circle-the reason may be that among the Chinese, Mexicans, Koreans, Japanese, Pakistanis and Indians- there is no common thread to unite them ( Synthesis of culture ).
In a gated community they live among themselves and stop mingling with other communities after saying Hallow and Hai.
They bind themselves with their samajam and temple and encircled themselves with in the circle. Are they happy with this?
I know one family- ( In India ) Middle class family with one son and one daughter. Both are intelligent and with IT Boom, the son got a job in America. The son assured his parents that he will return back to India after clearing the loans and getting some cash.
But eve after 10-years there is no word about his return-he has purchased a house at America and asks his parents to come and settle with him.
There are many such problems and parents with out physical support and left to stay at Old Age Homes etc.
There is another side of the story. My friend who was working in America wanted to return to India. He was earning $ 60,000 per annum. He wanted to try job opportunities and knocked company after company but of no use. Finally he returned back to America where he was absorbed immediately- they look for talents only.
There are many people who are in well to do position after returning from America. A friend of mine purchased few acres of land near Bangalore and established Rose gardens and export the essence.
Younger generation have adopted America as their home and adjusted themselves to the way of live but keeping the Indian connection intact.
on the contrary Americans never worry about the next life and are satisfied with the present life and spend and enjoy. Their children follow independent course after reaching 18-years leaving their parents.
parents left themselves are able to lead a normal life by working in department stores and many part time jobs are available. I saw one gentleman aged 80 working at Wall Mart as sales assistant.
R.Jagannathan.
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