Welcome to Canada - A land of opportunities By: “WELCOME TO CANADA: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES” article.php?id=53 |
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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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.
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?
"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.
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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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,
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.
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