FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION
Food for Thought
By
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 amongst 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 ethnicities (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.
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.
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, not only will the migrants become a sizeable
proportion of the population and alter the demographic balance, but the
“cultural visibility” of the migrants will become starkly evident and the local
residents will feel threatened (the harmony of the “flock” will be disturbed and the original
birds will feel jeopardized and fear that their “flock” will be being taken
over by “outsider” birds).
The flock
theory teaches us the lesson that if migration is not controlled to within
acceptable limits, a stage will come when the migrants will not be welcome
anymore, because no one likes to be dominated by “outsiders” who try to impose
their culture on the local inhabitants.
Remember: No “host” will like 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 2012
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.
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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.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
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 I am sure that 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-gw23f9
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.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
2 comments:
Welldone sir!!
I loved the theory and presentation of the facts in this post...the unfortunate thing is that we Indian are famous to break this theory. I have visited Middle east and Africa and found localites mentioning such habbit of ours.
It was heights to see Patel & Ghosh Clubs in Tanzania attracting indian fellows to join the club.
Hope we improve in the coming days...and with the coming generation.
Thanks Hemant. Yes, we tend to exceptions to the rule
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