OUT OF AFRICA
The May 2007 cover story “Kampala Burning” paints a poignant story of the situation in Uganda, a country that has had the misfortune of getting stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty soon after it got out of the curse of colonialism. My bet is that the common people in Uganda are being misled by those in power who have something to lose if property is handed over to Indians as per the treaties of repatriation. These would be the same set of people who perhaps gave the impetus to the movement that led to the big exodus in the seventies and eighties.
Also, the fact is Africans have few entrepreneurial skills while Indians are renowned for it, it would be a mismatch if the Indians returned in large numbers. That again is a vicious cycle as there aren’t many outsiders who would dare to set up shop in deep Africa. So if the Ugandans allow Indians to return—which they are—they get more jobs, more income but also they have to live with the fact that Indians will again dominate a key aspect of their country—business and trade. And not many Africans have learnt to live with that. Dammed if they show maturity, dammed if they don’t.
However, I wonder why Indians should keep jumping into places which are inherently unsafe. Is it greed or just stupidity? I can’t think of Jews returning to Ethiopia for anything.
Ramesh Krishnan
Atlanta
The Ugandan situation is tragic but not hopeless. This isn’t 1972 and the likes of Idi Amin are unlikely to get any billing. Kampala has sent a mission to mollify New Delhi and the government there is doing its best to keep Indians rather than ease them out. However, the vast majority of Ugandans are poor, illiterate and excitable so there’s no saying how they’ll react to rabble-rousing. The authorities should take care when selling of state assets like forests. People don’t mind living a generation or two in utter poverty but will kill the hand that feeds if they feel it’s alien. Sad but true.
Dinesh Singh
Sydney
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PHOTO FINISH
The photo feature Rangla Punjab 2007 was awesome. It’s nice to see the Indian community organising such shows that take you back into the heart of Indian culture. Punjabis celebrate
Vaisakhi, a harvest festival, which is the same as Vishu in Kerala, Bihu in Assam. Cultural programmes are one way to make Indians, especially the younger generation, be aware of where they come from.
Preeti Mathur
Washington DC
IN TOUCH WITH NATURE
Your health section is superb. The May issue had some great topics like Prakriti, the natural concept of health and Yogi Ashwini’s column on how to withdraw inwards. Closing the doors of the body’s senses in order to relieve stress is explained concisely and lucidly. It’s quite a useful section that gives me a 2-minute tour of natural healing techniques that cost next to nothing. I wish the INDIA EMPIRE team success.
Hari Kumar
London
COOL STUFF
INDIA EMPIRE has been bringing such wonderful stories and news about the diaspora and the homeland. Guys, keep them coming and do better than the best.
Mayank Parashar
London
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