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Welcome to Canada - A land of opportunities
By:

“WELCOME TO CANADA: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES”

Hello Canadian Desi friends,
I just saw the article very well written by Chandresh, titled “Is Canada the right place for you?”

I have been living here in Toronto for almost three years now (35 months) and during my stay here I came across hundreds of people who came to Canada as immigrants under the ‘skilled worker’ category. My experiences are also kind of same what most of the immigrants have had or might have had and in a way I agree with what Chandresh has mentioned. I moved here with my wife in February 2001 after leaving my job as Marketing Manager – Product Development with one of the leading telecom companies in India. Before coming to Canada, I was advised by some of our ‘guides’ that in Canada, initially you do not get a job related to your field but its only a matter of time, may be 4-6 months or maximum one year and after that you will have so many choices. So initially one has to work hard. Okay, we prepared ourselves mentally to that extent that even if we have to do cleaning job or porter job or any other to sustain, we will do that. So finally, we landed here.

Now the question arises: why do most of ‘well settled (back home)’people migrate to Canada?

Again, it is a debatable issue. Many would say: of course for better living, for better future of our kids, for better growth opportunities, for social security blah..blah...blah… For all those immigrants (including my self), I have a question: If you are making approx Rs. 30000 to 40000 a month (house hold income), Can’t you maintain the similar kind of life style in India also? Can’t you afford a good car? Can’t you afford an A/C in your house? Can’t you afford a 27” flat screen TV with satellite dish? Can’t you afford putting your kids in best of the schools (might not be in Doon / Welham but still….)?
We will have different answers with different arguments but I think the majority would say (not loudly though): YES. Then why come to Canada? Kids’ future, better opportunities, life style etc..etc…could be just words used to hide the original thinking! How many of us consider ‘another factor’ as a determining factor for immigration which is CURRENCY EXCHANGE! Didn’t we see 1=30 before applying immigration? Didn’t we think that whatever hard work I am doing here (back home), if I do the same in Canada, I may get paid 30 times better and MOREOVER THE QUALITY OF LIFE WILL BE BETTER IN CANADA (PLEASE NOTICE: QUALITY OF LIFE IS A FRINGE BENEFIT OR ADDED ADVANTAGE AND NOT THE PRIMARY CAUSE)!!

If someone says No..No..No.., this is all crap, I would say: Be honest my dear, not with the world but at least with yourself! For those who come here in Canada after spending years and years in Middle East or Africa or other countries, I can understand their argument for ‘BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE’ but again that comes second, because they save lot of money ($$$$$$$) before coming to Canada. But at the first place what made them to go to Middle East, live in extreme hot weather conditions (50 degrees) and sacrifice their social life? Once they achieve the target of ‘PHYSIOLOGICAL (MATERIALISTIC) STATUS, they get hungry for QUALITY OF LIFE. Then they start moving to ‘SELF ESTEEM’.

I am not ashamed of admitting the fact that 1=30 was the primary factor for moving to Canada. Everyone comes here to make money, accept it or not!! In addition, even if one does not come with that thinking, they start thinking on those terms very soon.

THIS IS WHAT CANADA IS! THIS IS WHAT THE CULTURE IS! AFTER COMING HERE WE SAY THAT THE FAMILY VALUES ARE ZERO.
DIDN’T WE KNOW THAT BEFORE COMING HERE?
EVERYONE HAS TV IN HIS HOME, EVERYONE HAS INTERNET AND EVERYONE IS EXPOSED TO THE WORLD. EVERYONE KNEW THAT GIRLS BECOME MOTHERS WHILE THEY ARE DOING HIGH SCHOOL AND YET THEY DON’T KNOW WHO THE FATHER OF THAT BABY IS.
EVERYONE KNEW THAT PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PUNISH THEIR KIDS FOR THEIR MISCHIEVES, 911 IS JUST A CALL AWAY……………………….THE LIST GOES ON!!!

My dear friends, lets be realistic. We come here as ‘skilled workers’. Canada needs skilled workers and NOT SKILLED MANAGERS or SKILLED PROFESSIONALS. So forget about all those KOOCHY KOOCHY things, Lets get down to the real thing.
When we were new to Canada, we were told that you can not lie here. It is very truthful country. They respect your honesty and truthfulness! Okay, we started applying for the jobs and mentioned all qualifications and experiences in the Resume. We would apply for all kinds of jobs let it be cashier at the McDonald’s or Wendy’s or Future Shop or a call center job…….they would look at the resume and advise you: You know you have wonderful profile, your qualification and experience is ‘AWSOME’ but may be this job is not suitable for you. We would say: No..No.. We can do any kind of job. We don’t have any hang ups. We are ready to do anything do gain Canadian Experience…………still employer would say: SORRY. THIS JOB IS NOT FOR YOU. WHY DON’T YOU TRY SOMEWHERE ELSE?
Then we met some ‘Canadians’. They advised us not to mention real qualifications and experience, make 10-12 different types of Resumes (supposed to be Tailor Made Resumes as per Job Requirements) and then apply again in those companies after some time. The trick worked!!!!!!! We got our first job in the same companies where we had applied about couple of months ago. No body rejected us. WELCOME TO CANADA, THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES!!!
MORAL: “DO NOT LIE BUT DO NOT ALSO DISCLOSE ALL YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE IF YOU WANT A JOB”
Now we go further. One of our friends went to Bank to open an account. He asked for the unsecured credit card. They straight away refused because he was not on the job for 1 year continuously. Then someone introduced him with some ‘broker’. He got him an unsecured Credit Card from the same bank, off course, he charged some fee for that.

WELCOME TO CANADA, THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES!!!
MORAL: “EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THIS WORLD BUT NOTHING COMES FREE”

Above are some of the examples. Other than that, there are number of small / big things where one feels that the same was in India also. Corruption was there, corruption is here, no difference. The only difference is that back home people have guts to admit and they used to bribe and get bribed openly and here IT IS ALL UNDER THE TABLE. You want a job in a good company where your friend is also working….you go there directly, they might not even have a look on your resume but if you give your Resume to your friend and he submits it to HR Dept, chances are there at least they will call you for an interview and if you get hired, you get a job and your friend may get between $250 - $500 as the ‘referral bonus’. In India, we used to call it ‘SIFAARISH, HERE THEY CALL IT REFERRENCES THROUGH NETWORK’. Within these 35 months in Canada, I have come to the conclusion: CANADA IS A LAND OF OPPORTUNITES PROVIDED ONE SHOULD KNOW THE LOOPHOLES OF THE SYSTEM. “SACH KHOLO MAT, JHOOTH BOLO MAT”…..If you do like this, then Canada Govt. is pretty happy!!

Anyway, you came to Canada to earn dollars so concentrate on earning dollars. Do not shy away from doing jobs or businesses like Truck Driving or Taxi Driving or Basement Renovations or Electrician or Plumbers etc. I can challenge that all these above mentioned professions give you much more money than what you earn by doing shift jobs in a factory or working as a Salesman at Future Shop. Stop dreaming about your ‘own field’ job. Slog your ….for 3-4 years, work smart, save some dollars, go back home and start some small / medium scale business there in your own city / town / village and give employment to 2 more fellow Indians. Even if you do not want to go back then start a business here and employ 1 Desi and 1 Gora (please). After all they ruled our country for 100 years; it becomes our moral duty towards our motherland that we rule at least one Gora here. INKE HI WATAN MEIN AA KAR, INKE UPAR RAJ KARNE MEIN BAHUT MAZA AAYEGA…….BELIEVE ME.
At the end of the day what matters here in Canada is your financial strength.

If you can afford:-
a 2004 Infinity instead of a 1994 Chev Cavalier, a brand new house with no tenants in the basement instead of having a three bedroom house and two tenants in the basements, shopping around at the Eaton Centre instead of the Westwood Mall, buying a 32” flat screen TV on Diwali or Eid instead of waiting for the X-Mas day sale or Boxing Day deals, going out and having a-la carte dinner with your family at some Indian / Italian restaurant in Downtown Toronto instead of having an unlimited buffet in $6.99 in some ‘cheap and best’ Desi Mithai Shop, buy your wife / husband an original diamond studded Gucci watch instead of buying a so-called ‘beautiful and durable’ watch from Wal-Mart or Zellers with the argument ki ‘Sirf Time hi to dekhna hai’, buy your washroom accessories like soap holder from TUBS: The Ultimate Bath Store instead of Dollar Rama…………..the list goes on and on and on…..; only then you can say that you are successful in Canada.

Then no body would mind whether you are a truck driver or taxi driver or plumber etc…Everybody would give the argument: “THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF CANADA, DIGNITY OF LABOUR IS THERE”. Everyone will try to make FAMILY RELATIONS with you because they know that you are not illiterate, you are well qualified otherwise Canada would not accept you as immigrant, you know English that’s why you are reading this article and you are familiar with latest technology because you are going through CanadianDesi.com on the internet. Even your relatives/friends would ignore your profession here because you would be sending them money on regular basis and you will get them gifts every time you go back to visit them. THAT IS THE REALITY OF LIFE, MY DEAR FRIENDS. ACCEPT IT!!

So in this New Year 2004, let’s have a resolution that we are here in Canada to be successful and the success is directly connected with the financial back up. WE HAVE TO GROW TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY. WE MUST HAVE THAT KIND OF COURAGE AND WILL POWER THAT WE ACCEPT THE FACTS. WE MUST DO ATLEAST ONE GOOD THING TO BRIGHTEN THE NAME OF OUR ‘MATRI-BHOOMI OR MADRE-ZAMEEN OR MOTHER LAND’. THESE PEOPLE HERE IN WETSERN WORLD MUST UNDERSTAND AND REALISE THAT OUR COUNTRY IS NOT A ‘BHOOKHA AND NANGA’ COUNTRY BUT IT IS FULL OF KNOWLEDAGBLE, HARD WORKING, SINCERE AND CULTURED PEOPLE WHO ALSO KNOW HOW TO EARN AND SAVE MONEY AND STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY ALONG WITH THE HERITAGE. LET’S HAVE A VISION THAT AFTER 10 YEARS IT SHOULD NOT BE $1 = Rs 30 BUT IT SHOULD BE $ 30 = Re. 1. WE ARE INDEBTED TO OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR US. LET’S MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE OF COMPLETE FREEDOM, EVERYBODY WITH FOOD AND SHELTER, EVERY VILLAGE WITH WATER AND ELECTRICTY SUPPLY….. AND START WORKING IN THAT DIRECTION ONLY.

P.S.: I apologize if I hurt somebody’s feelings.

article.php?id=53

jake3d
Member since: Sep 03

Posts: 2962
Location: Montreal
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-01-04 20:28:14

firstly,
If it was even for no money I would have referred the guy. He did approach me after he was laid off...but I have been trying to convince him long before to atleast give me his resume. I have worked with him before. I would not refer just anyone because my credibility and probably my job would be at stake. Likewise, I also had faith that he would love to work for my company...which he did. We used to get a 3 hour break each day at that time( its 1 1/2 hr now)...that was one of the smaller perks. Also the best brains in the company I work for come in through referral. That our product is one of the leading packages used in the industry(from the dinos in Jurassic park to the new villian in the latest terminator installment) is testament that they are doing things right. Whatever else you may like to think.

The same friend was recently working for another company and got laid off again(he's had more than his share of lay offs) and I am now referring him again. This time due to the economic situation the company has scrapped its generous referral bonus plan. However, that does not change a thing as far as my referral goes. Does it save the company money yes. Does it give my friend a chance at a new life. Yes! Will my company hire him if he is not the right fit? NO!!

I see it as a win win situation. Bonus or no. So please hold off on your judgement and your need to remind me of my \"duty of helping others\". You do not know me well enough to say anything about the same.

Yep, face it..if you have just come here on whatever point system, you probably have to start from scratch and convince people that you can do the job as well as anyone else. Some are able to do it just off the boat and some others, like you, have to learn new ways of doing things. So as far as the canadians are concerned you have to prove your credibility. Degrees and work experiences can be faked and everybody knows that. Its upto you to prove that you have not faked the same.

Would you say the same things about this country if you came in and got a 100k job? I dont think so. Sujata(from the other posts) would not say that this site was depressing if she, like you, went through a tough time after landing(i'm guessing she did not). Both of you make a common mistake of rushing to judgement about everything and everyone but yourselves.

BTW: I have a business on the side too and If I have to choose between someone who Is really good for a job and someone who I can trust but of mediocore talents. I would choose the latter. I am even willing to pay premium for trust (I learnt that from my father-in-law who is a successful businessman himself).

My friend did not have to go through any underhand means to get his house...he was earning very well. When you are in the gutter all you see around you is dirt. It takes a strong person to remember that it is cleaner outside.

I believe that the true character of a person is revealed when life throws him a curve.

Lastly, life's not fair!! I was also 'Just a man off the street without any credibility'. I have done my share of odd jobs for 2 years. I have proved myself and am, economically, doing even better than an average Canadian. Infact, according to me, even careerwise, I am truly lucky to be doing the things am doing. When I look back I think what I have achieved here at 31 would be considered impossible for a B.A in India. I did not have the network, the education degrees or financial safety net when I came in. A far cry from many of you. From that perspective, It would be very easy for me to judge you like you seem to judge me and my character.

Again, success is a frame of mind! If you think that the better car and better clothes are what success is about...I can save you the trouble and tell you that you will never find it unless you change that thought process. Even that 100k job which you yearn for will not give it to you.

p.s: i'm not usually so blunt...I guess I am having a bad day . Deal with it!

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Mishtar India
Member since: Nov 03

Posts: 668
Location: Toronto
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-01-04 20:45:09

Happyji,
I am moved by your post. I may not agree with it, but i can appreciate your views and can relate to where you are coming from.
As Jake rightly puts it "success is a frame of mind"

What is success for one person maynot be for another. The issues regarding social and family values which you mention are there in india as well in an equally ugly form (effects of westernization!!) on the other hand there are many families in the west who are still able to maintain strong indian values and have successfully passed it on to the next generation. And there are also many wealthy yet unhappy desis who consider themselves a failure despite a their career success( due to broken families, waywards kids etc). I feel the social and family issues are individual problems which is not localized to US/Canada alone. Of course,one has to work extra hard to protect our values in the west.

Lets go back to when we were in india, we all grabbed the opportunity to come overseas for some compelling reasons, reasons may be different for everyone. But "to succeed" was in everyones mind before leaving, while the paramaters of success may vary.
Now , is everyone successful by their own standards?..No
Will going back change anything? absolutely not . there might be a greater struggle waiting back home. ( duur ke dhol suhane!!)

think about it, why would someone with a decent living leave india and take the risk with their families to resettle in an alien land?
The reasons must be really compelling, isint it?
if someone really wants to go back, they should just do a reality check and see if those reasons for which they left india still exist or not. and then decide for themselves. Whatever they decide - To go back OR not to go , will both be correct decisions, depending on each individial's situation.

I truly believe that india will one day be the most coveted destination in the world, but it might take a generation or two. The perception of india being a downtrodden land fast dissappearing. I feel proud see see indians respected here in the US for their professional abilities and talents. it may be more difficult in canada to get similar recognition but not unachievable. Lets not call it a "mistake" to come here. Who knows the success which many are chasing may just be around the corner!!

As for what to do now, i feel the best way is to form a support structure within the community, like what canadiandesi is slowly shaping into, and help and encourage each other in this alien land. This will not just help every desi feel stronger it will also help us to continue chugging along till we all succeed.

\"Lets not give up hope, try and try and try again , till we succeed\"

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

BlueLobster
Member since: Oct 02

Posts: 3409
Location: Mississauga
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-01-04 22:23:20

Happyji,

Some good points thrown in there, but I have to say I don't agree with a lot of things you're saying. What you've presented is your perspective, not a fact. It may be very accurate from where you stand, but I don't think you can claim "This is how it is for everyone, accept it or not". I know a lot of people who don't fall into any of the categories you've described, however I can only speak for myself with certainty. I don't.

You say India is a great country with a lot of knowledgeble and capable people (and I agree). In the same post, you say that the only reason Indians move to Canada is the conversion factor. Isn't that a contradiction?

And one of the major reasons India is getting so much global prominence these days is because these "conversion hunters" moved to the west, adapted (while retaining their core values) and achieved success. They did not forget India though, they gave back. They formed and are still forming lobbies that promote India's interest while helping their businesses. At the same time, there are whizkids in India who are doing some great work too.

And c'mon, let's give some credit to these "zero-morals immigrant-blood-sucking corrupt" Canadians, shall we? You and I both know that there are MANY canadians who are wonderful people with a lot of values. They may not have the same culture/conservativeness as us, but that does not make them evil, now does it?

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Are you there?

hestonuk
Member since: Jun 03

Posts: 140
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-01-04 22:47:41

"Even if you do not want to go back then start a business here and employ 1 Desi and 1 Gora (please). After all they ruled our country for 100 years; it becomes our moral duty towards our motherland that we rule at least one Gora here. INKE HI WATAN MEIN AA KAR, INKE UPAR RAJ KARNE MEIN BAHUT MAZA AAYEGA…….BELIEVE ME"

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This mentality won't take us anywhere. "Happyji" Didn't agree with a lot of your opinions and definetly not with the above. This doesn't make us any better then who ruled us years ago.

But i guess then again this is after all only "MY" opinion.

jake3d
Member since: Sep 03

Posts: 2962
Location: Montreal
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-01-04 22:57:11

Agreed! Racism takes many forms. I personally dont like the term 'gora' especially when used in this context. I hope we, as a people, can overcome these racist tendencies that (I feel) is borne out of an inferiority complex.
Happyji with an attitude like that, whatever manager you were back in India, you may yet have a long tough road ahead of you.

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happyji
Member since: Dec 03

Posts: 22
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 05-01-04 20:17:22

I am very glad to see all the 'valuable' replies by 'respected' canadian desis. I really appreciate that!!
My intention was not to go personal against anybody and thats why at the end of my post, I apologized if I hurt somebody's feelings.

Ek baar class mein teacher ne aake dekha ki uske saare chalks and duster kisi ne kahin chhupa diye hain to teacher ne sabse poocha ki kisi ne mere chalks and dusters dekhe hain? sab bache chup rahe....to jis bache ne sab chhupaye the woh sabse aage wali seat pe baitha tha, teacher ka us bache ke saath sar-sari taur pe 'eye-contact' hua to bacha achanak bol pada: Maine to nahin chhupaye............

I can understand that afterall, we all are human beings, We do get emotional sometimes and we see only those things which are directly connected with us and about which a third person might not have a clue even but we make it obvious for others and then we blaim others that they are judging us about our character, our maturity level etc......
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Actually it will cheese you off to no end that the referral bonus that I got for one of my friends was $5000.
Yep, face it..if you have just come here on WHATEVER point system
Would you say the same things about this country if you came in and got a 100k job? I dont think so.
When you are in the gutter all you see around you is dirt.
whatever manager......
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I do respect everybody's opinion and I am very excited that my post is becoming 'Critics' Choice of the year'. In a way, I am feeling proud that my Canadian Desi friends are noticing what I said in the post. Our Desi style of friendship is that :
we fight a lott, we abuse each other on face, we 'vent' ourselves out on each other but still we share our sorrows and our joys and we love each other's company..........and thats what I like about this wonderful world of 'Canadian Desi'.

Rgds,

Mishtar India
Member since: Nov 03

Posts: 668
Location: Toronto
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 10-01-04 03:39:53

Happyji good to see you happy again..

sare jahan ka dard hamare jigar main hai ... phir bhi muskurane main kya harj hai

(easier said than done...but still a nice thought)

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Contributors: happyji(6) jake3d(3) chandresh(3) mercury6(3) Mishtar India(2) guru420(1) vijeshjain(1) MAYUR MEHTA(1) me2canada(1) Smiley(1) Canindo(1) kuwaituser(1) reachash(1) deepcb(1) BlueLobster(1) NorthAlberta(1) faisal(1) hestonuk(1)

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welcome to canada, the land of opportunities!!

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