has gone wrong’

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

new arrivals from the Indian subcontinent has swelled. While some new migrants have arrived through the normal channels, a number of Indians have been attracted to Australia so that they can escape the financial pressures in India.

While India may be ‘shining’, the emergence of opportunities have largely benefited the middle and upper socioeconomic classes in India, leaving those on the lower rungs of the middle class struggling to make ends meet. Caught in a frenzy of consumer-led demand, this group of disenfranchised??? Indians have sought greener pastures. Australia, with its education-linked immigration policy, seemed an easy avenue. Shortcuts were sought in some cases to avail of the potential financial freedom, and papers, documents and cash resources were presented to the migration authorities which at best of times, were questionable.

Upon moving to a new country, the reality set in. While the roads were paved and the supermarkets were stocked with goods, financially one had to work hard to stock up the fridge. Most new entrants followed the rule of law, but some took to taking shortcuts to achieve their financial freedom. Over crowding in their place of residence, working more hours than legally allowed, ensuring the best possible tax refunds etc, fostered a belief that it is easy to outsmart the system. They missed the basic premise of a free society - that along with freedom, comes responsibility.

While Australia allows for personal freedom, the system also ensures that individuals are accountable for their freedom. Tax returns are one such example where individuals can prepare and claim their own tax refunds, yet electronically the linking of various agencies such as Centrelink, banking and superannuation funds, does allow the authorities to cross check information. Even in policing, while the overall appearance of the police may be easy going, the technology and painstaking hard work done behind the scenes often yields positive results.

There are a few facts which the new migrants need to understand. The lifestyle in Australia, while easy going and relaxed, has a strong discipline backing it. Unlike India where connections and gratuity payments can get one out of trouble, the system adheres more to the rule of the book here.

Sim Kaur’s words carry more weight than she will ever know. The Indians in Australia are intelligent, well meaning people; perhaps a better appreciation and respect for the rules will ensure that we all get it right more often than wrong.