The surge of Tamilites in UAE & Gulf countries
Back in the days when the Arabs came to India for trade purposes, many Indians went along with them in search of a new life, while the women who probably might have just attained puberty would be married off to these Arab's, and taken away to a new land - a land of deserts, camels and oasis. But it didn't happen vice versa, because there was nothing much left in India after the Britishers looted it, of all its wealth and glory. The Arabs who were just a bunch of Bedouin tribes surviving in the desert, and doing trade with its neighboring countries, hit a jackpot one fine day, when they discovered oil in their land. Bingo! They became one of the richest community in the world overnight. The tables were now turned, and the whole world had to depend on them for oil and petroleum. It was like God was showering them with all the richness, luxury, and happiness in their lap. While on the eastern side, things were not so exciting. We Indians, who were awestruck at the new found fortune of the Arabs, were wishing and frantically searching for oil, hoping to get things in our favour too. But God had different plans. So we didn't make it rich, and ended up been slaves. This time for a change, we were no longer the slaves of the Britishers, but that of the newly claimed millionaires. Thus, with high hopes of earning some dough, men from most of the family in the west, north, and some parts of south, especially Kerala, moved to this land of new hopes and opportunities.
While a lot of changes was happening within India, there was one particular state that firmly believed in sticking to its old tradition, culture and values. Change was a foreign word to them, and the people of this state were very resistant to change. For them change was a taboo. The minority of the people who wished some changes in their state, always spoke about it in a hush-hush tone due to fear of been ostracized. That state is none other than Tamilnadu. People were migrating within India and abroad, in search of better opportunities, but people from this state never liked to even move around within their own country. Such was the power and influence of the political leaders of that state over its public. Even the aged people were no less. They strictly forbade their sons and grandsons from working out of their state. Its not that Tamilnadu was filthy rich, its just that majority of the population was conservative and orthodox. So to put it in the best way, I would say - changes happened at snail pace in this state.
Meanwhile, the Indians who had started working in the Arab countries started sending some money back home i.e. India, which raised the standard of living of many of the poor, and the lower middle class families, to an average middle class family. Slowly, the popularity of going to work in Gulf countries caught up with Indians. In comparison to other states, one could find a majority of the men from Kerala working in the Arab countries. At least one member of the family from every house would be found working in the Gulf. Many reasons could be attributed to this, like the political situation of Kerala which made it very difficult to start up a company, and even if it did striving against all odds, the company couldn't run long and would be shut down soon. Apart from this, the literacy rate was very high in Kerala, and it still is, which made every educated man/woman find the loopholes in the rules and regulations and speak law, making it difficult for any organization to run smoothly without the interruptions of the so
While a lot of changes was happening within India, there was one particular state that firmly believed in sticking to its old tradition, culture and values. Change was a foreign word to them, and the people of this state were very resistant to change. For them change was a taboo. The minority of the people who wished some changes in their state, always spoke about it in a hush-hush tone due to fear of been ostracized. That state is none other than Tamilnadu. People were migrating within India and abroad, in search of better opportunities, but people from this state never liked to even move around within their own country. Such was the power and influence of the political leaders of that state over its public. Even the aged people were no less. They strictly forbade their sons and grandsons from working out of their state. Its not that Tamilnadu was filthy rich, its just that majority of the population was conservative and orthodox. So to put it in the best way, I would say - changes happened at snail pace in this state.
Meanwhile, the Indians who had started working in the Arab countries started sending some money back home i.e. India, which raised the standard of living of many of the poor, and the lower middle class families, to an average middle class family. Slowly, the popularity of going to work in Gulf countries caught up with Indians. In comparison to other states, one could find a majority of the men from Kerala working in the Arab countries. At least one member of the family from every house would be found working in the Gulf. Many reasons could be attributed to this, like the political situation of Kerala which made it very difficult to start up a company, and even if it did striving against all odds, the company couldn't run long and would be shut down soon. Apart from this, the literacy rate was very high in Kerala, and it still is, which made every educated man/woman find the loopholes in the rules and regulations and speak law, making it difficult for any organization to run smoothly without the interruptions of the so
called Unions made by these same very educated people. So the only option left was agriculture, which many of them did, but there was still an urge amongst the Keralites to grow and learn, and explore and experience a new world. This whole migration, and transfer of foreign money to India might have slowly hit the Indian economy, but nevertheless, the people of Kerala were happy with the progress they made in terms of money.
While their neighbouring state was booming, the people of Tamilnadu turned a blind eye. They were happy with their slow, dull and boring lives(no offence guys, but I'm sure you agree). But I must say that amidst this conservative society, there were a few who dared to venture and find new horizons. But such people were not welcomed with warm hearts. They were instead spoken off, as if they had broken some unwritten rules, and had visited an alien spaceship. They were looked at in bewilderment. Such was the mentality of the population of Tamilnadu.
Years passed by, and the number of Keralites that was in the Gulf countries and Middle east increased, with many calling it their second home, and many others calling Gulf countries as 'Mini Kerala'. Whatever the reason that maybe which attracted the Keralites to work in such countries, they made sure that by the time they return to their home country, they should be well settled by all means. Now, the times are as such that the Indians who had spent most of their life here toiling, have started returning to India, especially the Keralites who had been here from almost 35 years and above. This is the time when the Middle east and Gulf country ministry is discussing on levying VAT. And I believe it will soon be implemented as well. Unfortunately or fortunately this is the time when the people of Tamilnadu have decided not to sit jobless in their state anymore and migrate. And guess what?? Most of the population are migrating to the Middle east and Gulf countries. Lol..
Years passed by, and the number of Keralites that was in the Gulf countries and Middle east increased, with many calling it their second home, and many others calling Gulf countries as 'Mini Kerala'. Whatever the reason that maybe which attracted the Keralites to work in such countries, they made sure that by the time they return to their home country, they should be well settled by all means. Now, the times are as such that the Indians who had spent most of their life here toiling, have started returning to India, especially the Keralites who had been here from almost 35 years and above. This is the time when the Middle east and Gulf country ministry is discussing on levying VAT. And I believe it will soon be implemented as well. Unfortunately or fortunately this is the time when the people of Tamilnadu have decided not to sit jobless in their state anymore and migrate. And guess what?? Most of the population are migrating to the Middle east and Gulf countries. Lol..
It is a funny thing that every other person I bump into or walk across in UAE is a Tamilite, and surprisingly not a Keralite like it used to be before. My husband been a Tamilite used to make a lot of fun of Malayalees saying that 'once you guys finish your 12th, your parents pack and send you here (UAE & Gulf). Don't you guys know any other country? ' Well, its not that we don't know any other country, if I am not wrong and if the records are right, there will be a Keralite working in every part of the world. I call it as the skill to survive, because unlike the Tamilites, the Keralites are never hesitant to accept change, neither are they adamant that they want a white collar job only. Keralites know to survive wherever they go, and that is exactly what they did & are still doing. So shouldn't you be proud of them been an Indian, instead of making fun of your fellow countrymen?? Now that there is a decrease in the number of Keralites in UAE and Gulf, there is a sudden surge of Tamilites. And to defend it, my hubby says 'yeah, why should only Keralites make money and build homes? Even Tamilites need to do it.' I can certainly understand him defending his community, but that doesn't mean you be jealous and obnoxious about the Keralites. Since the people of Tamilnadu have just woke up from their deep slumber, going abroad and earning some dough is not a bad idea. Better late than never, isn't it?? Lol...
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