Gurgaon not only attracts multi-national corporations and invest-ments, it is also the El Dorado for Indians from all across the nation. This translates to a lot of people, from all parts of the country, coming to this City to make their dreams come true. There is hardly any State that does not have a representation here. And lines of bewildered foreign nationals, lining up for renewing their visas at the Mini-Secretariat, are proof of the varied nationalities also at work here.
But glittering employment prospects aside, how accepting is the City of these 'outsiders'?
An RWA chief once commented, “The sense of responsibility, and ownership, that comes from living in one's native city, is missing in Gurgaon. There are too many disparate youngsters and families who have settled in Gurgaon for a living; the feeling of being a native needs time to foster.” But then, what has the City done to welcome its new population?
Neal Singh left Kathmandu a few years ago, and came to India for a better salary. Working as an assistant in an European haute couture outlet in Ambience Mall, Neal has spent half a year in the City. Ask him about the job prospects in Gurgaon and his face brightens up immediately. “The life here is so fast-paced, compared to Dehradun and Meerut. The entertainment and work aspects are phenomenal. I've been here for six months, and it's been breath-taking.” How are the people, compared to the other cities? Neal pauses. “Let's say that Gurgaon is good place to work, earn money and leave,” he says. Prod him further, and he explains, “It's like you can have everything, and yet nothing in this City. Everything in terms of material things, flash and dash; but nothing in terms of warmth and friendliness.” In small cities like Dehradun and Meerut, the people are more open, and likely to offer a helping hand; but in Gurgaon, no one has the time to notice that someone needs assistance, Neal feels.
It is common to see that while all the other 'regional imports' are spread all over the City, foreign nationals and North-Easterners tend to stay close together, residentially and figuratively. For both of them, it probably means a familiar face and background, and safety in numbers. For example, in Sikanderpur, there is a sizeable community of the people from the 'Seven Sister States' (North East).
However, Andrew Tshering, a Corporate Communications Executive working in Gurgaon, has a different perspective. “There have been incidents of racial profiling, yes. But none of that has happened to me. I've stayed in the NCR for the past six years, and my long time room-mate is from Patna. I agree that there have been reports of violence against my people, but everything can be dealt with. I do get checked. I carry various forms of identification – such as my PAN card and driving licence. Nothing more than a normal citizen would carry.” A firm and a reasonable approach works, he says.
Caroline Gowlett came to this City a little less than a year ago, from Wokingham, UK - with her husband Ian, and two daughters. “It takes some time getting used to this City. When we moved here, one of my main concerns was finding a proper British school for my children; and in that respect, Gurgaon is wonderful,” she says. Coming from the UK, the lifestyle of the City was not something she was prepared for. “It is very unsettling when people keep staring at you whenever you go out. Though, I don't mind when old ladies come up and hug my daughter,” she laughs. “There was this one time when I was queuing up with my girls in tow. I had left some space between me and the person in front, and a young man tried to push us aside and take the place. When I objected, we literally had a fight. I actually felt that he would have hit me, had things worsened,” Caroline confesses. There were so many things out of place for her. “I actually joined yoga to let off some of my frustration,” she comments. Did it work? “A little,” she laughs. Sometimes when people try to get too close to her daughters, “I really have to turn into this tigress, you know. Like herding my family together,” she says.
How many friends has she cultivated, besides the other expatriates living in her condominium? “None, for now.” I'm getting to know them through my friends, she says. I can say now that we are sort of settled in this City, she reflects; but settling in with the people will 'take a bit longer'.
Hari B. came from Hyderabad to work in a multi-national, some four years back. He now can speak fluent, accentless Hindi, and is comfortable with the denizens. “I can't say the money's better than places like Mumbai and Bangalore, but it's good. And the international jet-set working here makes for an interesting pot-pourri.” How would he rate his experience of the cosmopolitan life? “The people who have come here to work, have also stayed in other cities, and know what it is to mix and melt, figuratively speaking. They are more accepting and accommodating. But I can't say this for the locals here. In my perspective, most of them have not travelled and experienced enough, because they have traditionally had stationary professions like farming. So for them, we are just 'outsiders'. The bias, however slight, will always be there,” he muses. The feeling of dealing with someone who does not belong here, or does not know the local language or culture, will shade the locals' perspective, he says.
Second-class Citizens?
Lucky, who works as a masseur in an MG Road Mall, is plain outraged when someone asks her how the people have behaved with her. “When I say that I'm a masseur, all I get are leers. The people from the Seven States are not 'chinkies' or 'momos', and it's highly offensive to disparage your own countrymen. One time, I was going out with my Goan friend, and our bike was stopped for routine checking. The cops were more interested in checking me out, than the vehicle papers. It was so embarrassing. While we were leaving, I heard one of them comment to the other that, 'Pooch to leta ki kahan khadi hoti hai'. That night, I felt like leaving this City once and for all. What did I do to earn this disrepute?” Sombrely, Lucky says, “Of all the people who come here to work and earn, we have it the worst.” Speaking in the same vein, Caroline had also said that, “The men look at women (from other places) like they are something exotic. And I can't shake this feeling that, here, women are second-class citizens.”
Is there a 'disconnect' between the locals and the people from the North-Eastern states? Some feel so, some don't. It is interesting to note that those in the lower-income groups and lower educational qualifications have apprehensions of bias, but such is not the case with the higher-income and higher education set. Andrew stresses, “Bias is there. But again, I have friends from the North-East as well as locals. Even I have faced reservation, when meeting people for the first time. Once they get to know you, things get easier.” The perception of violence and terrorism emanating from the North-East colours the initial feedback, but the locals ease up after getting to know you, he says. However, the same seems not true for the women.
The Other Side
On the North-East people's fear against hostility from the locals, a policeman says, “It's true what they say of a bad fish spoiling the whole pond. Most of them are as innocent as lambs, but there are some who operate prostitution, drug selling, and other prohibited activities in the same localities. So when we raid or inspect, they accuse us of racial bias. The fear of persecution further exacerbates the situation.”
Of all the castes, creeds and races to come to Gurgaon, none of them have been 'profiled' as much as the people from the North-East; and subjected bias, persecution, and crime. There have been numerous incidents of 'racial profiling'. And their interaction with the locals has been tiresome. According to a latest country-wide study done by an Association called North-East India Image Managers, 93 per cent of the people they interacted with wanted to know more about the Seven States; but the damning fact was that over 87 per cent of the respondents couldn't name all the seven. It is a highly negative perception that colours the people's minds, when anything about the North-East comes up in their daily lives, says Sanjiv Kalita, an Assamese geologist who has been working in Gurgaon for the past three years. “Some of my office-mates didn't even know that there was a state called Assam! The ones who did, when I asked them what they knew about the land, came up with 'wild forests, insurgents and strange food',” he relates. Cross-cultural sensitivity is extremely low here, Sanjiv has come to realise. The NH-8 divides the Old Gurgaon and the New Gurgaon, but what it also demarcates is the area containing the original residents and the ones who have come here to make a living. “I have been to several states and cities, and Bangalore and Mysore are certainly better in this regard.” An experience comes to his mind. “My company in Mysore had around 18,000 employees, and was a virtual city in itself. A beautiful company policy stated that since there were so many people from all over the country, each State had a 'day'. The twist was that the day and the events would be organised by people from the other States. It helped people broaden their perspective, and made them realise the diversity of India,” he reminisces.
Everything and everyone is nice until there is a confrontation of sorts, he says, “It is then that the regionalism and stereotyping is unveiled”. When his car was dented by a Jharsa local's motorcycle, he recalls, “Though I look as if I belong here, my accent gives me away.” He somehow assuaged and defused the crisis. To his recollection, he never had this feeling in any of the previous cities.
The best view probably comes from Patricia Topp, a Londoner (and not a 'white') who has spent well over three summers in Gurgaon. Compared to London, Gurgaon seems 'sedate' to her. “I love this City. It's everything we want as a family,” she says. The people from her condominium, World Spa, are 'warm and friendly', and she converses in Hindi comfortably with the locals. “I liked the experience of Sadar Bazaar; and over time, I have many friends outside my circle of expatriates,” she quips.
How has her experience been, dealing with the locals? The people who live in apartments and complexes are mostly educated and have travelled enough, but what about people outside that circle? They still have a long way to go, learning to live with the expatriates, she feels. “People here can't see beyond the end of their noses. It's all about what they can get now, right this instant. They're missing the big picture,” she feels. “I often meet people who jump up and say, 'Have you come from Africa?' I mean, listen to my accent! Not everybody of my colour has to come from Africa,” she laughs.
Gurgaon still has a long way to go, in becoming a melting pot of all races and regions. Locals, be it the policeman, the grocery shopowner, the auto driver, or the man walking the street, are still not used to the idea of 'outsiders' coming in. That idea will take time to settle in, 'as the City is itself so young', as Patricia puts it. There is work bias, women are singled out, and an uneasy calm prevails. There have been incidents against some of the people who have come here to work, and many have learnt to accommodate. North-Easterners and the foreign nationals, have common ground – in that they face 'visual bias', if not discrimination. Increasing the volume of business in the City is fine, but until the people learn to open up their minds and hearts, the 'sense of belonging' (and of pride) will continue to elude the citizenry.
immediately. “The life here is so fast-paced, compared to Dehradun and Meerut. The entertainment and work aspects are phenomenal. I've been here for six months, and it's been breath-taking.” How are the people, compared to the other cities? Neal pauses. “Let's say that Gurgaon is good place to work, earn money and leave,” he says. Prod him further, and he explains, “It's like you can have everything, and yet nothing in this City. Everything in terms of material things, flash and dash; but nothing in terms of warmth and friendliness.” In small cities like Dehradun and Meerut, the people are more open, and likely to offer a helping hand; but in Gurgaon, no one has the time to notice that someone needs assistance, Neal feels.
It is common to see that while all the other ‘regional imports’ are spread all over the City, foreign nationals and North-Easterners tend to stay close together, residentially and figuratively. For both of them, it probably means a familiar face and background, and safety in numbers. For example, in Sikanderpur, there is a sizeable community of the
people from the ‘Seven Sister States’ (North East).
However, Andrew Tshering, a Corporate Communications Executive working in Gurgaon, has a different perspective. “There have been incidents of racial profiling, yes. But none of that has happened to me. I’ve stayed in the NCR for the past six years, and my long time room-mate is from Patna. I agree that there have been reports of violence against my people, but everything can be dealt with. I do get checked. I carry various forms of identification – such as my PAN card and driving licence. Nothing more than a normal citizen would carry.” A firm and a reasonable approach works, he says.
Caroline Gowlett came to this City a little less than a year ago, from Wokingham, UK - with her husband Ian, and two daughters. “It takes some time getting used to this City. When we moved here, one of my main concerns was finding a proper British school for my children; and in that respect, Gurgaon is wonderful,” she says. Coming from the UK, the lifestyle of the City was not something she was prepared for. “It is very unsettling when people keep staring at you whenever you go out. Though I don’t mind when old ladies come up and hug my daughter,” she laughs. “There was this one time when I was queuing up with my girls in tow. I had left some space between me and the person in front, and a young man tried to push us aside and take the place. When I objected, we literally had a fight. I felt that he would have hit me, had things worsened,” Caroline confesses. There were so many things out of place for her. “I actually joined yoga to let off some of my frustration,” she comments. Did it work? “A little,” she laughs. Sometimes when people try to get too close to her daughters, “I really have to turn into this tigress, you know. Like herding my family together,” she says.
How many friends has she cultivated, besides the other expatriates living in her condominium? “None, for now.” I’m getting to know them through my friends, she says. I can say now that we are sort of settled in this City, she reflects; but settling in with the people will ‘take a bit longer’.
Hari B. came from Hyderabad to work in a multi-national, some four years back. He now can speak fluent, accentless Hindi, and is comfortable with the denizens. “I can’t say the money’s better than places like Mumbai and Bangalore, but it’s good. And the international jet-set working here makes for an interesting pot-pourri.” How would he rate his experience of the cosmopolitan life? “The people who have come here to work, have also stayed in other cities, and know what it is to mix and melt, figuratively speaking. They are more accepting and accommodating. But I can’t say this for the locals here. In my perspective, most of them have not travelled and experienced enough, because they have traditionally had stationary professions like farming. So for them, we are just ‘outsiders’. The bias, however slight, will always be there,” he muses. The feeling of dealing with someone who does not belong here, or does not know the local language or culture, will shade the locals’ perspective, he says.
Second-class Citizens?
Lucky, who works as a masseur in an MG Road Mall, is plain outraged when someone asks her how the people have behaved with her. “When I say that I’m a masseur, all I get are leers. The people from the Seven States are not ‘chinkies’ or ‘momos’, and it’s highly offensive to disparage your own countrymen. One time, I was going out with my Goan friend, and our bike was stopped for routine checking. The cops were more interested in checking me out, than the vehicle papers. It was so embarrassing. While we were leaving, I heard one of them comment to the other that, ‘Pooch to leta ki kahan khadi hoti hai’. That night, I felt like leaving this City once and for all. What did I do to earn this disrepute?” Sombrely, Lucky says, “Of all the people who come here to work and earn, we have it the worst.” Speaking in the same vein, Caroline had also said that, “The men look at women (from other places) like they are something exotic. And I can’t shake this feeling that, here, women are second-class citizens.”
Is there a ‘disconnect’ between the locals and the people from the North-Eastern states? Some feel so, some don’t. It is interesting to note that those in the lower-income groups and lower educational qualifications have apprehensions of bias, but such is not the case with the higher-income and higher education set. Andrew stresses, “Bias is there. But again, I have friends from the North-East as well as locals. Even I have faced reservation, when meeting people for the first time. Once they get to know you, things get easier.” The perception of violence and terrorism emanating from the North-East colours the initial feedback, but the locals ease up after getting to know you, he says. However, the same seems not true for the women.
The Other Side
On the North-East people’s fear against hostility from the locals, a policeman says, “It’s true what they say of a bad fish spoiling the whole pond. Most of them are as innocent as lambs, but there are some who operate prostitution, drug selling, and other prohibited activities in the same localities. So when we raid or inspect, they accuse us of racial bias.”
Of all the castes, creeds and races to come to Gurgaon, none of them have been ‘profiled’ as much as the people from the North-East; and subjected bias, persecution, and crime. There have been numerous incidents of ‘racial profiling’. And their interaction with the locals has been tiresome. According to a latest country-wide study done by an Association called North-East India Image Managers, 93 per cent of the people they interacted with wanted to know more about the Seven States; but the damning fact was that over 87 per cent of the respondents couldn’t name all the seven. It is a highly negative perception that colours the people’s minds, when anything about the North-East comes up in their daily lives, says Sanjiv Kalita, an Assamese geologist who has been working in Gurgaon for the past three years. “Some of my office-mates didn’t even know that there was a state called Assam! The ones who did, when I asked them what they knew about the land, came up with ‘wild forests, insurgents and strange food’,” he relates. Cross-cultural sensitivity is extremely low here, Sanjiv has come to realise. The NH-8 divides the Old Gurgaon and the New Gurgaon, but what it also demarcates is the area containing the original residents and the ones who have come here to make a living. “I have been to several states and cities, and Bangalore and Mysore are certainly better in this regard.” An experience comes to his mind. “My company in Mysore had around 18,000 employees, and was a virtual city in itself. A beautiful company policy stated that since there were so many people from all over the country, each State had a ‘day’. The twist was that the day and the events would be organised by people from the other States. It helped people broaden their perspective, and made them realise the diversity of India,” he reminisces.
Everything and everyone is nice until there is a confrontation of sorts, he says, “It is then that the regionalism and stereotyping is unveiled”. When his car was dented by a Jharsa local’s motorcycle, he recalls, “Though I look as if I belong here, my accent gives me away.” He somehow assuaged and defused the crisis. To his recollection, he never had this feeling in any of the previous cities.
The best view probably comes from Patricia Topp, a Londoner who has spent well over three summers in Gurgaon. Compared to London, Gurgaon seems ‘sedate’ to her. “I love this City. It’s everything we want as a family,” she says. The people from her condominium, World Spa, are ‘warm and friendly’, and she converses in Hindi comfortably with the locals. “I liked the experience of Sadar Bazaar; and over time, I have many friends outside my circle of expatriates,” she says.
How has her experience been, dealing with the locals? The people who live in apartments and complexes are mostly educated and have travelled enough, but what about people outside that circle? They still have a long way to go, learning to live with the expatriates, she feels. “People here can’t see beyond the end of their noses. It’s all about what they can get now, right this instant. They’re missing the big picture,” she feels. “I often meet people who jump up and say, ‘Have you come from Africa?’ I mean, listen to my accent! Not everybody of my colour has to come from Africa,” she laughs.
Gurgaon still has a long way to go, in becoming a melting pot of all races and regions. Locals, be it the policeman, the grocery shopowner, the auto driver, or the man walking the street, are still not used to the idea of ‘outsiders’ coming in. That idea will take time to settle in, ‘as the City is itself so young’, as Patricia puts it. There is work bias, women are singled out, and an uneasy calm prevails. There have been incidents against some of the people who have come here to work, and many have learnt to accommodate. North-Easterners and the foreign nationals, have common ground – in that they face ‘visual bias’, if not discrimination. Increasing the volume of business in the City is fine, but until the people learn to open up their minds and hearts, the ‘sense of belonging’ (and of pride) will continue to elude the citizenry.
‘Community’ Centres Only In Name?
HUDA, in foresight, built Community Centres in each of its sectors. However, most of them are empty shells, used for organising small events – and are desolate most of the time. Sanjiv Kalita says correctly that these Centres should be used for more than that. “Only when people meet, do they converse, which leads to interaction and revelation.” Unless you meet the people whom you share your city with, the commonality, acceptance, and the much-beaten phrase ‘unity in diversity’ will never become a reality. “The RWAs have to take a step forward, and help celebrate each community’s festivals. It’s not the scale, but the effort and the feeling that counts,” he feels.
But with the fast-paced lifestyle of the City’s denizens, this thought will probably remain a foot-note.
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