The present security crisis that Indians are suffering in Guyana and across the diaspora is because of a failure to plan and execute the plan. Instead, Indians have now been conditioned to react to a problem, not necessarily to find a solution. Since the 1950s Indians have been the victims of assaults, murders and arsons and forced migration with no end in the horizon.
The average Indian family is pursuing academia, constructing a house, celebrating birthdays, and upgrading their homes and cars. They also find time and money to travel to pleasure resorts across the world but always too busy to look after their security.
The G7 nations-Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and the US – are not only among the wealthiest countries with the highest GDP and per capita incomes but also have the largest military arrangements. The US and China are the two superpowers not just because of their wealth but also their military arrangements to protect their property and person.
No investor wants to invest in countries where there is a breakdown of law and order. Investors would choose safer zones to invest their cash. High criminal activities are also going to drive professionals and skilled citizens to migrate to countries where they can enjoy peace and security and a brighter future for their children.
Indians in the diaspora must start looking at ways and means to reduce the risk of being victims of assaults, robberies, and murders. This can be achieved only when the security of the community is placed on the front burner and not ignored as was done until today.
Indians need to stop the idle car talk and engage in serious discussions on the security of the community. We can no longer afford to ignore this issue but address it.
What happened in East Coast Demerara in Guyana recently is unpardonable. What do vendors and innocent Indians had to do with an Afro Guyanese held in custody? The reality is that the victims of these crimes are the poorer and more vulnerable section of the community.
The middle- and upper-class Indians who drive their vehicles and live and work in more secured environment foolishly think that they are safe from street urchins and criminals. Nevertheless, the reality is that all Indians are not safe and many of them are equally victims of crimes.
Health is a security issue. Sick persons are at the mercy of others to look after them. Our first step toward security is to look after our health. A healthy and vibrant community is going to help us to save billions of dollars which can be utilized in keep fit classes, yoga, and sports. More than that is that a healthy individual can earn more.
Indians need to look closely at themselves. We need to do research to provide quantifiable data so that we can implement programs to strengthen the community.
Indians need to look beyond protecting the little that they have and ignoring the hordes that are pounding at the gates. At present there is a flood of articles in social media on the East Coast violence but no proposals to stop this violence from repeating itself.
If I may use an analogy to help better understand the dilemma of the Indian community in the Caribbean. For the past ten years Roshan has been announcing to his friends that he wants to buy a car for his family. Why has his dream never come to reality? The truth is Roshan does not have a financial plan and hence his failure to own a vehicle.
Thomas, on the other hand, wants to buy a vehicle in two years and devised a financial plan with the assistance of a financial planner. Today, Thomas is the proud owner of a car.
Had Roshan followed in the steps of Thomas he would have also been the proud owner of a car. His wife Dularie would not have had to travel to the market or supermarket. His daughter would have had a direct car to take her for lessons and back home.
The issue of violence against Indians is least racial; it is a struggle between the weak and the strong. Weak people are always at the mercy of the strong. So, it would be better for Indians to organize themselves than pleading for mercy from blacks. The reality is the strong always beats up the weak!
