In the Land we Live...

Dr. Navniit Gandhi

There is opportunity;
There is plenty;
My mind is at peace
I quietly earn my living
My family comfortable;
My responsibilities I fulfil
Build my nest back home...
In the land I work;
In the land I live.

Every flight from India to Kuwait is full of mixed emotions... There are those who are looking out of the tiny window and wondering if they have taken a right decision to leave their birthplace, and are flying off to a strange land. Their faces betray their apparent calm and confidence; their apprehensions can be seen in their eyes. And then there are those whose eyes are full of tears, at having to bid goodbye to their loved ones; but the next minute they wipe their tears and smile, as they are coming back to their husbands or wives in Kuwait. They are those who live partly here and partly there... And somewhere on some seats, there are relaxed faces; closed eyes; who keep looking at their watch every few minutes, wondering when they will reach their own home. They are those for whom ‘Kuwait’ is home since thirty to forty years...

Our reasons of living in Kuwait may vary. And yet the underlying element is that we all seek our bread and butter here. Some have simply come for a job; others for a better paying job; some for survival; and some for a tax-free hefty package. Whatever said and done, this is our karmabhoomi (place of work) and we continue to live because each one is able to fulfil that need for which we landed here. We owe a lot to this land; and to the people of this land who, for whatever reasons, have allowed lakhs of Indians to come and work and settle here peacefully. One may argue that manpower is needed here and hence we are needed. But we have to be thankful for that as well.

While there is no dearth of complaints as well, about the traffic being bad; the attitudes of the natives not very flattering at times; the rising insecurity for women and so on... yet, these constitute an exception, and not the rule. There are a large number of Indian scientists, engineers, doctors, housekeepers and even maids who stay on and on in Kuwait, because their respective employers respect them for who and what they are and lovingly insist on their continuing to stay on. Then there are those umpteen stories of Indians who began modestly and barely a generation later, are roaring millionaires today... And even those who stay on with moderate means here, as maids and drivers, have their houses in order back home; their children studying in good educational institutions and pursuing professional degrees.

As regards the lacunae and weaknesses of the system here, the story is not much different from the ones unfolding in almost every other nation. There are issues of economic priorities; there is the privileged section consolidating its privileges all the more; the increasing issues of law, order, and crime; the localization spree; the stalled development projects and thus, the list of concerns keeps expanding. And, if ‘we’, in addition, are concerned about ‘we’ being stereotyped and not held in as high an esteem as before, then we must reflect over our conduct a little more seriously.

We do not pay any tax and meagre amounts for utilities such as water, electricity etc. Then the majority of us do not wish to spend uselessly on tea, coffee, water or food etc outside. We are reluctant to tip; we choose to stay in dilapidated buildings despite having the means to live better. The mindset is ‘since this is not our place, why spend here?’ We live frugally and sometimes really miserly. And yet, we complain that we are not treated well as the whites are, for example.

We complain that Salmiya, Hawalli, Fahaheel, Abbasiya and some other areas where expats live in majority are ill-kept areas. But then we do seriously need to consider whether we are, to some extent, responsible for the filth or garbage. How much of what we see on the roads in the areas we live or in the gardens of our areas, is our own doing? We are also, to some extent, responsible for the stereotype images the natives or others have of us, we Indians. The focus is to save and take it back home, as much as one can. There are differing needs and circumstances that each one of us has to cope with, and nothing wrong either in wanting to save and take it back too. However, one must look at this scenario from the perspectives of the citizens of this country too.

Most of us do find idyllic time here. Let us all strive to give back a little bit more than our defined work and services; a tiny bit more to the society. Let us be a little more conscious about saving water and keeping the premises around clean; about doing a bit of social service on any one holiday; about appreciating the day-to-day by and large a hassle-free life. And a few words of appreciation and blessing to the people and place would be welcoming indeed!

The next time you get time to sit for a few minutes at the corniche... take a deep breath and gaze at the bluish-green sea... close your eyes and let out a whisper of gratitude to God... May this land continue to be blessed!!! Amen!

Navniit Gandhi is an academic since 25+ years; a feature writer (300+ articles), and has authored 10 books. Her 10th and most recently authored, published and launched book is titled: NOT MUCH IS AS IT SEEMS Her write-ups can be read at navniitspeaks.wordpress.com
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