Divide and Rue?
To me, the word ‘immigrant’ rankles. In a world which is embracing diversity, tolerance & acceptance, ‘immigrant’ seeks to diffrentiate people based on origin and domicile and in the process makes them feel like ‘outsiders’.
Strange how people term Bangalore as being an ‘inclusive’ city while at the same time, we have irresponsible media organisations that take such ‘divisive’ words to a different level.
In the context of a dynamic, bustling, thriving, cosmopolitan Bangalore which attracts talented, skilled people from all over India and the world, the word ‘immigrant’ seems out of place. Sometime back, Mehak too expressed unhappiness and regret at the usage of the word and reminded us that India being a free country, citizens can move about freely where they desire. It should be kept in mind that the so called ‘new-age’ immigrants who are in the news are contributing to the economy in umpteen ways.
Should the above word gain further prominence with more people mouthing it, they should ask themselves the question : are they getting a wee bit xenophobic?
:(
Exactly. I actually had a doubt and went to see if my passport said Indian or Karnatakan!
I really really wish media would rely more on their coverage of important issues and less on sensationalism.
None of us(?) are xenophobic.I think it is just a marketing strategy of mid-day to attract people.
Its not only in Bangalore… My friend stays in Mumbai, and has been (being) treated like this. And me too stayed in Chennai for couple of years and have experienced this.
BTW Mid-day is also an immigrant – a Mumbai based journal… :P