Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Saturday, May 25, 2013

IMMIGRATION and THE FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION

IMMIGRATION and THE FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION
Musings
By
VIKRAM KARVE

From my Blog Archives:

Is Migration good?

Or is it bad?

What are the consequences of migration for the host country?

When the number of immigrants becomes large, then in a democracy, the immigrants can influence the outcome of elections by becoming a “vote bank”.

Immigration can be legal and illegal.
I have observed that for many bright youngsters in India, their cardinal objective in life is to migrate to America, get a Green Card, followed by US Citizenship and permanently live there all their lives and realize their American Dream.

People from less developed countries migrate to better developed countries, legally and illegally.

A few years ago I had written an article on The Flock Theory of Migration

I am posting this article below for you to read.

FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION

Food for Thought

VIKRAM KARVE

Long back, me and my friend, a Bird-Watcher, a self-styled ornithologist, were observing birds

(I am referring to the “winged” variety of birds)

We saw a huge a flock of migratory birds flying in the sky.

It was a fascinating sight to see the flock of birds flying in perfect formation.

I mentioned this to my friend who then told me about the “flock theory” of migration.

He told me that sometimes different kinds of birds that do not belong to the original flock also join the flock and fly along.

The birds in the flock allow these “outsider” birds to fly along with the flock as long as they do not disturb the pattern, movement, flight speed and direction (course) of the flock.

When the number of “immigrant” birds is small, these “outsider” birds quietly assimilate themselves into the flock, obey the rules of the flock and do not disturb the harmony of the flock.

Sometimes the number of these “immigrant” birds increases to a sizeable proportion and they may disturb the harmony of the flock, if these “outsider” birds try to assert themselves.

These “foreigner” birds may even try to control the flock by trying to dominate and alter the flight pattern.

This disturbance in harmony and attempt at domination is not tolerated by the main flock of birds, and violent clashes break out as the main flock of birds tries to remove the “immigrant” birds from the flock and throw them out.

I think a similar hypothesis applies to human migration too.

When you migrate to another country (or when you relocate within your country to another state or city) you must remember this flock theory of migration.

Try to assimilate yourself into your new “host” country or city and acclimatize yourself to the way of life of your new place of residence.

You must mix around and interact with the local inhabitants and imbibe the indigenous culture of your new abode.

You must not “ghettoize” yourself by forming tightly-knit inward-looking groups of your own community but you must embrace the culture of your new land (after all, it is you who have chosen to migrate there).

Always remember that you are the foreigner in their land – you are the “guest” and they are your “hosts” – and a guest must never attempt to dominate the host and try to make the host a guest in his own country.

A large number of my relatives, classmates and friends have migrated to America and have lived there for many years.

However, I find that they mostly mingle among the Indian community (even language and state wise), as is evident from the photos they show us.

When I ask them why they do not have any American friends, they have no credible answer except saying that they do have such friendships, but at the workplace only.

However their children, born and brought up in the USA, have friendships, relationships and even marriages with resident Americans – in fact, Americans now comprise so many types and varieties of ethnicity

Since over the years, so many persons from all parts of the world have migrated to the USA for a better life and now America has become the melting pot of diverse cultures.

The flock theory applies to all types of migration.

TYPES OF MIGRATION

Immigrants migrate due to a variety of reasons.

Some immigrants “choose” to migrate and willingly accept the majority culture of their host nation and are seamlessly assimilated and integrated into the existing society of their “hosts”.

Some immigrants are forced to migrate, due to a variety of reasons, including political and socioeconomic imperatives, for education, or for reasons of safety and security arising from instability or warlike conditions in their homeland.

These forced migrants are like “refugees”.

These “forced migrants” are less amenable to assimilating themselves with the majority population.

It is these “forced immigrants” who ghettoize themselves into communities and try to maintain their own distinct identity by refusing the absorb the culture of their new land.

Sometimes the numbers of such “refugee” forced immigrants may increase to a point where the immigrants may alter the demographic balance and try to impose their will on their hosts.

It is then that the “flock theory” will apply and a conflict will start and there will be a struggle for dominance.

When migration takes place, both the “hosts” (natives) and the “guests” (migrants) must remember the Flock Theory and ensure that cultural harmony is maintained and the demographic balance is not upset.

THRESHOLD LIMITS FOR MIGRATION

My “bird-watcher” friend gave a ballpark figure of 30% when I asked him what was the flock theory threshold beyond which the harmony of the flock is disturbed.

Applying the same threshold to human migration, this tells us that the “hosts” must ensure that “guests” (immigrants) do not exceed 30% of the population.

If this is allowed to happen and the 30% barrier is broken, and the number of immigrants keeps on increasing in an unabated manner two things may happen:

1. The migrants will become a sizeable proportion of the population and alter the demographic balance (and become a “votebank”). In a democracy, this may give the migrants undue power in governance and this loss of power to “outsiders” will be resented by the original inhabitants.

2. The “cultural visibility” of the migrants will become starkly evident and the original local residents will feel threatened and become insecure in their own land. Owing to their dominance, the migrants may try to impose their own ways and try to change the original culture of the land and this cultural invasion will be resented by the original inhabitants.

The “flock theory” phenomenon is akin to the manner in which the harmony of the “flock” is disturbed and the original birds feel jeopardized and fear that their “flock” will be being taken over by “outsider” birds.

The flock theory of migration teaches us the lesson that if migration is not controlled within acceptable limits, due to clash of cultures and a sense of insecurity, a stage will come when the migrants will not be welcome anymore and this will create dissonance and discord in society.

This is because no one likes to be dominated by “outsiders” who try to impose their culture on the local inhabitants.

Remember: No “host” likes to be turned into a “guest” in his own house

Dear Reader:

Do you agree with the “flock theory of migration”?

Please comment and let us know your views.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Did you like reading this article?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my book COCKTAIL an anthology of Short Fiction.
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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Twitter: @vikramkarve

Friday, May 24, 2013

KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE LOGO KA KAAM HAI KEHNA

KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE LOGO KA KAAM HAI KEHNA

Do you want to be happy?

If your answer is YES then get rid of the Log Kya Kahenge Syndrome.

Your happiness will be in your control and not dependent on the approval of others.

कुछ तो लोग कहेंगे , लोगों का काम है कहना

Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna

लोग क्या कहेंगे

THE LOG KYA KAHENGE SYNDROME

VIKRAM KARVE

If you want to be happy, you must always try and ensure that you live your life in such a way that your happiness is dependent upon things in your control.

If you live in such a way that your happiness is dependent upon things beyond your control, you will be a puppet in the hands of other people, a slave to external circumstances and you will have to dance to the tune of outside entities.

Similarly, if you are obsessed with seeking approval of others, and are always worried about pleasing others, if you succumb to peer pressure, then your actions will be guided by what other people would think or say, and you will fall victim to the LOG KYA KAHENGE syndrome.

Close your eyes for a moment, introspect, and ask yourself whether you are suffering from The Disease to Please

If your answer is YES, then it is high time you read this Mulla Nasrudin Story.

MULLA NASRUDIN HIS SON AND HIS DONKEY - A Teaching Story

Mulla Nasrudin and his son were travelling with their donkey.

Nasrudin preferred to walk while his son sat on the donkey.

Soon they passed a group of bystanders, and one of them scoffed, “Look at that selfish boy. The hale-and–hearty young son is riding on the donkey while his poor old father is forced to walk alongside. What disgraceful behaviour? And it is so disrespectful. What a horrible and spoiled child!”

Mulla Nasrudin and his son felt so embarrassed by these comments that they quickly switched places.

Now Mulla Nasrudin rode on the donkey while his son walked alongside.

Soon they passed another group of people.

“Oh, just look at that, what detestable behaviour!” one of them exclaimed pointing to Mulla Nasrudin, “That poor young boy has to walk while his shameless father rides the donkey. That horrible man should be ashamed of himself for the way he is treating his son. What a heartless father! It is appalling!”

Nasrudin was extremely upset to hear this. He wanted to avoid anybody else’s scorn, so he decided that both he and his son would ride the donkey at the same time and asked his son to sit along with him on the donkey.

As they both rode on the donkey, they passed another group of people.

“That man and his son are so cruel,” one bystander said. “Just look at how they are forcing that poor donkey to bear the weight of two people. They have no consideration for the hapless mute animal. Cruel merciless scoundrels, that’s what they are!”

Nasrudin heard this and told his son, “I guess the only way we can avoid the criticism of others is for both of us to get down and walk.”

“I suppose you are right,” the son replied.

So they got off the donkey and both of them, father and son, started walking on foot.

But as they passed another group of people, they heard them laughing. “Ha, ha, ha,” the group jeered. “Look at those two fools. They are so stupid that both of them are walking under this scorching hot sun and neither of them is riding the donkey…!Have you ever seen such stupid idiots…? What morons…!”

Whatever Mulla Nasrudin and his son did someone or the other found fault and made fun of them and the criticism and comments of people continued forever, iterating and reiterating, and in the end the exasperated Mulla Nasrudin and his son were finally seen carrying the donkey on their own heads.

And everyone was laughing at Mulla Nasrudin and his Son as they watched the father-son duo carry the donkey on their head…!

So, Dear Reader, the next time you are overcome by the disease to please and feel governed by a desire to seek approval of others for something you want to do and if you feel like pleasing others to the detriment of your own needs, just remember this Mulla Nasrudin story.

Whenever you do something there will be three types of reactions:

1. Some people will praise your actions
2. Some people will criticize your actions
3. Some people will ignore your actions

While it is good to take feedback, you must not be swayed by the opinions of other people because a time may come when your actions will be governed by what other people think and you will fall victim to the disease to please.

Therefore, rather than get swayed by what other people say, it is best to act accordance with your own conscience and do what you feel is best.

Listen to your inner voice, seek your own approval and act in accordance with your own conscience.

Close your eyes, reflect, and think of instances when you were overcome by the Disease to Please or Peer Pressure or the need to conform.

When you do something, do you always worry about “Log Kya Kahenge ... लोग क्या कहेंगे ?”

Why do you succumb to peer pressure?

Why do you try to conform?

Why do you crave for the approval of others?

Remember the lyrics of that meaningful song from the movie Amar Prem:

कुछ तो लोग कहेंगे , लोगों का काम है कहना

Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna

Moral of the Story:

Never worry about what others will think or say.

Do not succumb to Peer Pressure.

Do not fall victim to the Disease to Please.

Do not try to conform or seek the approval of anyone and everyone.

Seek your own approval - that is the approval that matters most.

Do what you think is right and you will be happy.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Did you like reading this story?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my book COCKTAIL an anthology of Short Fiction.
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Twitter: @vikramkarve

HOW TO CREATE SPACE

HOW TO CREATE SPACE

Space - a Relative Concept

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

VIKRAM KARVE

One day Mulla Nasrudin’s neighbour came over to ask for some advice on how to manage his large family in his tiny little house.

“Dear Mulla Nasrudin,” he bemoaned, “my house is so small that all of us just cannot fit inside – me and my wife, my mother-in-law, three children... we are all so cramped up in our small cottage where there is hardly any space. You are a wise man, and maybe you can find some solution to my problem so please tell me what to do...”

“I noticed that you rear chickens – how many chickens do have in your barn behind your house...?” Nasrudin asked.

“I have five chickens and a rooster,” the neighbour said.

“Take them all into the house...”

“What...?” the neighbour asked aghast, “how is it possible...? My house is already so small and overcrowded. Where is the place for the chickens...?”

“Try it...you just do what I say,” Nasrudin insisted, “And I am sure you will come and meet me tomorrow and tell me that your problem has been solved.”

The neighbour was not convinced but he did not dare to question the wisdom of Mulla Nasrudin, so he took the five chickens and the rooster inside the house.

The next morning he ran to Nasrudin’s house.

“You have made our problem worse – me, my wife, my mother-in-law, three kids, five chickens and a rooster – it is impossible for all of us to fit inside the small house – there is no space at all...” the neighbour lamented.

However, Mulla Nasrudin ignored his griping and asked the man, “You have a donkey, don't you...? I have seen a donkey tied up outside your house...”

“Yes, Nasrudin, I have one old donkey,” answered the neighbour.

“Take the donkey into your house...” Nasrudin told the man.

No matter how much the neighbour protested, Nasrudin maintained that it was for his best and the hapless neighbour did as he was told and took the donkey into the house.

The next morning, he ran back to meet Nasrudin, and said in total despair, “Nasrudin, it is just not possible. The wife, the mother-in-law, the kids, the chickens, the rooster and the donkey... We had a most terrible night. There is no room even to breathe...”

“If I remember correctly, you have two lambs, don’t you...?” Nasrudin asked his neighbour.

“Oh, No... Please don't tell me to take the lambs in... There will be total chaos…”

“Don't worry, my friend,” Nasrudin interrupted and assured the desperate neighbour, “You will thank me for solving your problem in the end....just take the lambs into your house...”

The neighbour, hoping against hope that Nasrudin’s crazy advice may miraculously work out, took the two lambs into his packed house that night.

The next morning, the neighbour, in a totally inconsolable state, landed up at Mulla Nasrudin’s door, and pleaded in agony, “Nasrudin, why are you torturing us, making us suffer like this...? My small house is jam-packed, teeming with bodies and stinking with foul odour. My mother-in-law is threatening to kill me, my wife is about to leave me and my children are furious. It is appalling, sickening... your advice has made matters worse...”

Nasrudin patiently listened to his neighbour and said nonchalantly: “Okay, now take all the animals and birds out of the house – chickens, rooster, donkey and lambs – all back to the garden, back to the barn, back to the shed. Throw them all out of the house to where they belong...”

So Mulla Nasrudin's neighbour rushed home and threw all the animals out of his house.

Next morning the grateful neighbour thanked Mulla Nasrudin, “Sir, you are indeed a wise man. You solved my problem. Now, our house is so large, so roomy, and so airy, so much space for everyone, kids can play, we can sleep, everyone is happy. Thank you so much.”

Thus, Mulla Nasrudin demonstrated that SPACE is a relative concept - the same small house had now become a large house.

Dear Reader, at first, I thought that like time, space too could be measured and quantified and was an absolute entity.

Gradually I learnt that time was highly subjective and relative, not quite absolute as I thought. I could feel time passing fast when I was busy (when working or doing something I enjoy like blogging).

I could experience time passing slowly when I was bored (like waiting for someone whose train or flight is delayed).

Now it has dawned upon me that space too is a relative concept.

This apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story explains the relative nature of space. It also tells us the the concept of space is all in the mind.

Think about this Mulla Nasrudin Story, have a laugh and enjoy your day.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Twitter: @vikramkarve

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Saturday, May 25, 2013

IMMIGRATION and THE FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION

Friday, May 24, 2013

KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE LOGO KA KAAM HAI KEHNA

HOW TO CREATE SPACE

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