Makapao,

That's a pretty insightful rant there, pal. I can see that the 27 of you (28 including Viks if he's not part of your group) are disappointed with the negativity on this site and I agree that more needs to be done to present a more balanced picture of Canada. We disagree on the approach though.

Let's go back to what I think the purpose of this website is. It is to disseminate information about immigration to/ life in Canada in as democratic a format as possible. That means you can freely post your opinions and judgments on Canada, regardless of what direction they approach. IT IS UPTO THE READER to evaluate the validity of those opinions. And trust me, the smart ones do. They are the ones who can sift thru the mumbo-jumbo, filter out the rhetoric and let a true picture emerge. I'm talking about guys like Mishtar India, Mtanwar, Manjeet, rshahstry, Sunny_IT and the many more who went through this forum to prepare themselves prior to the big move and used negative experiences to their benefit. They are the success stories that make it all worthwhile.

IMHO, these guys had the right perspective when reading the posts here, and its all about perspective. If someone is browsing through a post that claims 90% of immigrants are miserable in Canada and believes such nonsense, they probably deserve to believe it. I don't think most people are that stupid though. I think (and hope) the majority must also wonder why there are so many people who spew hatred while residing right here in Canada. Something amiss there all right!

As an analogy, pick up a copy of any major newspaper in the world tomorrow (better yet, check it out on your blackberry ). Count the number of positive and the negative headlines on the front page. I’ll bet that the stories of terrorism, murder, political squabbles, scandals etc etc. outnumber the few positive ones by a fat margin. So will I allow that to alter my perception of the planet on a daily basis? Isn't the onus upon me as an educated reader to instill balance into my comprehension of the paper?

Besides, there are plenty of positive stories on Canadiandesi too, its just a question of digging them out. And there I agree with you, more needs to be done from our side to make that happen. But would that be adequate? To me, simply doing that reeks of something contrived; an attempt to manufacture optimism on the forum. How long will that hold ground? I would much rather that the likes of you who are so exuberant about life in Canada bombard the forum with their fresh perspectives and ideas on this beautiful country. I hope you see the irony in an optimist being disturbed by the pervasive pessimism on this forum and using that as a reason to quit. I really hope you do.

In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed an increasing number of people signing up who love their life here in Canada. And rather than worry about how positive or negative this forum is before contributing, they’re doing their part. I’m talking about guys like Bighead, Teja Gill, Bkb, Sukh, freestyler, rshastry (again!) et al. And hopefully there will be many more in the future too. So some of us are working to make your hope against hope a reality. We’ll at least give it a sincere shot. Maybe we’ll make the forum worthy of your return. In any case, I can assure you your post won’t go in vain, we’ll make an effort to pick up on some really good suggestions you have made. Would’ve been nice if you could’ve done the same too but if you choose not to, that's your prerogative. I do hope you'll keep visiting though.

I’m sure you’ve heard “If you build it, they will come!”. Build it we will, fellas!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Are you there?

apun ko bhi Canadian experience mangta hai. Kaisa milega, kab milega? Shayad kabhi nahi milega! Chahe hum yahan apni jindagi gujar de.

Hi Makapao76,

I am still active averaging about 1.50 posts a day. And would remain so as long as I have something new to learn and contribute.

This website is unique and successful, to a very large extent, in establishing communication between ispaar and uspaar desis. In no way it is a mean achievement. In fact a few days ago I sent an e-mail message to CIC to add this site as a link for additional information.

Your impression about this forum (and apparently those of many others) as being overly negative is perhaps true. But then we are talking about a very small portion of the overall scope and extent of the topics covered.

How can we neglect the significance of invaluable information given to desis on host of other subjects? Though there is no supportive quantitative data but this vital information must be helping them in their settlement process.

Kudos to BL, GG, O_N, Chandresh, Masood, Pramod, Amit, BKB etc. etc. for their untiring service to our community.

My appeal to you is - do not block the Waterloo information super highway. Cruise along!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Man's Best Friend

Makapao76 and BL,

Wonderful posts I would say.

BL, you seem to have written / ( replied )everything that I would have liked to say, and as usual, in a much precise and enlightening manner than I could have ever done.

Makapao76, while you are right in things that you have put down, don't you think you are not doing justice in truely anyalysing your own and 26 other successful persons behaviour? How can you expect a person like me or hundreds of others who have not been able to make a mark here in Canada write something positive about it? It is for you 27 guys and people like MI, BKB, Teja, BL, GG, MI, Manjeet etc. who have been successful in their pursuits to make this site a positive. Yes, I agree that saying that one is a loser is not name calling - but then using the same analogy, should I say that your group of 27 is a loser since you decided to quit after a few positive posts rather than fight it out to not only prove it, but also help others achieve that success.

I as a person might not be good at getting jobs for myself - but I know I can help a lot in various other matters to exisiting and intending immigrants, and that is how I contribute to this site, by organising meetings, by bringing people togather, by answering private messages of various members, suggesting them about housing, transportation, schooling, household purchases, and above all, telling them not to commit those mistakes that I did!

Similarly, your group of 27 should help in the way you guys can help best - keeping up the positive attitude, giving tips on settlement in jobs/businesses, helping deserving guys by recommanding to either your employers or others you feel might need us and to whom we might be assets in the long run.

Yes BL is right in saying that it is your prerogative to stay and contribute, or to walk away like 26 others, but we as a group who have tried to keep this site useful will be very happy if you return along with your group. A group of 27 positives will certainly make this site EXTREMELY positive since at any given time, there are not many (perhaps not more than 30-40 active) negative experience members on this site.

And in your own words, these losers (negative thinkers) are weak guys and will not survive once the attack of 27 positive thinkers and successful guys comes on board to contribute regularly.

And once again, I am ready to host a tea party to all 27 of you at my place just to convince you why you all should return. Isn't that a good enough reason to participate?

Chandresh

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Guys, pardon my chiming in.... having stayed out of this thread till now,i felt like sharing my thots here at this point.

Makapao, I completely agree with you when you say that the opinions on this site is way too negative, more negative than what the reality is outside....i am a new immgrant and I thank God for Canada all the time....I am a proud of my indian roots but I also feel very fortunate to get a chance to start a new life here and enjoy the benefits of this country. I wish every immigrant is able to achieve what they came looking for.

But Makapao, i have to agree with BL and Chandresh here....we have wide ranging and sometimes diametrically opposite views of Canadian life here on this forum, sometimes the tone is cordial... sometimes it gets shrill... most of the times the "negatives" are more dominant than those who try to project the positives of Canadian life. But whichever way our dicsussions lead , we all STAY TOGETHER....sometimes it is tough to get ones point across but we dont abandon a discussion and walk away. However tough it gets , we keep on going.

If this site had everyone of the same opnion as me, it would get kindof boring, isint it?!! Afterall, we are Indians, we have learnt to live together despite our differences, and stay together , happen what may . I consider this site to be a small microcosm of our beloved homeland.
Unekta main ekta...as they call it back home.

When we are in a debate/discussion we dont walk away from it just because the other side is more dominant or would not agree with us. My friend, for almost a year now, people have agreed with me and have even battered me in debates , some people even call me names etc ... but does it make me change the opinion about Canada? ...No, but it changes my opinion about them .
Even if i found myself to be a lone voice (not that i am a lone voice) i would not abandon this forum, --why should i limit my freedom of speech !!, and i'd do it more here than anywhere else because this place needs it the most. if I abandon and leave , i'd be a loser, (sortof) !!( and i dont think anyone is a loser on this forum)... so why call it quits when faced with adversity. I am sure you are not a loser and will come back.

Despite its awkwardly negative tone, this site is a fantastic resource to all immigrants and if we walk away we are only letting the falsly negative message propogate even more , which will be a bigger disservice to the new and prospective immigrants from back home. The goodness of this site gives me a lot more reason to stick on, depite the battering I get.

Think about it....Whichever way you decide my friend, i hope more people speak about the goodness of Canadian life and share positive experiences and encourage struggling immigrants during their period of struggle.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
What can be imagined, can be achieved.

kya likhelai bhai, Mishtar India!
You too BL, Chandresh and Teja.
Looks like Makapao fell in love with your angrezi- Teja. I will have to say it is darn good. I know you are not an English prof- but maybe you can consider that option as a career.
Chandresh- just out of interest- what did happen to the idea of setting up a Canadian chapter of the Indian chartered accountants? I was there when you folks were speaking about it.
Maybe if you hosted a bring your own bottle party at your place Chandresh all the 27 would show up! Looks like they live a hedonistic life! Partyin' till the wee hours of the mornin'- did you read that post of makapao's elsewhere?
Sounds like he's a golf fan too- came all the way to see Vijay Singh at Oakville.I guess if you make a 6 figure income you can afford to take up such interests.
Oh well if the 27 won't show up for your tea party- I am sure there are plenty of others who will take you up on that offer. What do you guys say to us meeting before the winter sets in? (OK Chandresh yaar- don't get uptight - it can be at a TIM Horton's- or a bar for beer and chicken wings like the swamp honkies -mungie cakes- whatever!)
BTW do you believe makapao's notion that topic for topic IIT's instruction is better than Berkeley and Cal Tech.?I know some people who say the MBA is better in India than Queen's here.
How does one set up a thread- I would like to start one on how Indian colleges compare with Canada's.
BKB

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Get what you want by helping others get what they want

The Entrepreneur/ Makpao76

I agree that standard of IIT is substantially higher than most of the reputed colleges in TO, being an ex - REC guy and having done projects in IIT campus i can imagine that.

But the truth is that the world respects a Degree from the US of A......

I mean a certificate with the stamp of Secretary of State !!!!!!!!!!!

There are only a few good souls in Canada who know the difference between IIT & ITI..

What an irony .............

Deep

Quote:

---

Orginally posted by the-entrepreneur


BTW do you believe makapao's notion that topic for topic IIT's instruction is better than Berkeley and Cal Tech.?I know some people who say the MBA is better in India than Queen's here.
How does one set up a thread- I would like to start one on how Indian colleges compare with Canada's.
BKB

---

-----------------------------------------------------------------
U win some...lose some...everything is not justified in this world.