Musings on Immigration, Migrant Crisis, Travel Ban, Refugees Welcome Policy, Hospitality etc

While watching TV news showing the twists and turns on the US Travel Ban – I remembered a story I had posted a few years ago during the European Migrant Crisis due to their “Refugees Welcome” policy. 

Dear Reader:

Do read the article and tell me: Isn’t the story relevant even today...?

Do You Want to become a “Guest” in your own “Home”...?

Whenever I see news on the European Migrant Crisis – I feel that Europe is a most magnanimous place – and Europeans are the most compassionate people.

No other country would warmly welcome illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as European Nations are doing.

Because of this generosity of European people – refugees prefer to take the hazardous journey by land and sea all the way to Europe – rather than seek temporary refuge in their neighbouring countries.

Normally – displaced persons will take shelter in close proximity in a neighbouring country so that they can return back to their homes once the crisis is over.

But – in the present European Refugee Crisis – refugees from different continents are travelling long distances to reach Western Europe.

The main reason why these refugees are going all the way to Europe (rather than neighbouring countries) is because most of these refugees have no intention of returning back to their own countries once the conflict is over.

For obvious economic reasons – these refugees want to permanently settle down in Europe.

However – it must be remembered that allowing unabated immigration has ramifications – both in the short term – and more so in the long term. 

Surprisingly – Europe does not seem to be concerned about the demographic, social, cultural and security ramifications of encouraging illegal immigration owing to which refugees are being attracted towards Europe. 

And now – the protests against to the US Travel Ban shows that even Americans want to follow a “Immigrants Welcome” policy.

The magnanimous hospitality extended by Europe to illegal immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees and the American Citizens’ protest against the Travel Ban reminds me of this famous teaching story I had posted a few years ago in my blog.

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A GUEST IN YOUR OWN HOME...?

A Fable – and Musings – on “Hospitality”

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When I was a small boy – someone told me a fable.

It was an apocryphal teaching story of a Trader and his Camel.

I remember this insightful fable even today.

Whenever I feel overly magnanimous  generous and benevolent – I tell myself this story – and I try to apply the “moral of the story” in my life whenever the need arises.

Are you a magnanimous, benevolent, humanitarian and hospitable person...?

Then – you too need to read the story of a Trader and his Camel.

THE STORY OF “THE TRADER AND HIS CAMEL”

It was a cold winter night.

The Trader was resting in his tent.

He had tied his Camel outside.

Suddenly – his Camel peeped inside the tent.

“What is it...?” the Trader asked his Camel.

“Respected Master – it is very cold outside. Please allow me to put my head inside your tent...” the Camel said to the Trader.

The kind Trader took pity on the poor animal.

So – he agreed to the Camel’s request.

“Okay – you can put your head inside the tent...” the Trader said to his Camel.

The Camel put his Head inside the Tent.

A little later – the Camel asked the Trader: 

“Respected Master – my neck feels very cold. Please let me put my neck inside your tent as well.”

Once again – the magnanimous Trader allowed the Camel to do so. 

So – the Camel put his Neck inside the Tent.

A few minutes later – the Camel asked if he could put his forelegs inside the tent.

Once again – the compassionate Trader agreed. 

So – the Camel put his Forelegs inside the Tent.

Then – the Camel wanted to put his chest inside the tent – and again – the kind-hearted Trader agreed.

So – the Camel put his Chest inside the Tent. 

Then – taking advantage of his master’s kind nature – the Camel kept asking to put his back and then his hump inside the tent.

The Trader agreed to all this. 

So – the Camel put his Back and Hump inside the Tent

This went on and on.

The Camel kept asking to put parts of his body inside the tent.

And – his compassionate Master – the kind Trader – he agreed to all the Camel’s requests.

Soon – the entire Camel was completely inside the Tent.

Now – the Tent was too small for both the Trader and the Camel.

They both struggled to remain inside the overcrowded tent.

There was a scuffle – and – the much stronger and bigger Camel pushed the Trader out of the Tent. 

Yes – the Trader was pushed out of his own tent by his Camel.

The ungrateful Camel pushed out his kind-hearted Master out of the Tent. 

So ultimately – the Camel slept comfortably in the warm Tent – while the Trader shivered outside in the freezing cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY

You should be careful before you extend your hospitality – lest your guests take undue advantage of your magnanimity and generosity.

This fable teaches us lessons at both the macro and micro levels.

MACRO LEVEL MORAL – The Problem of REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS, IMMIGRANTS and SETTLERS

Let us see a “macro level paradigm” ramification.

Suppose there is a war ravaged or strife torn country – where there is so much violence that the life of citizens is in danger.

As a humanitarian gesture – a benevolent neighbouring country may open its borders to allow refugees to come in and live in safety.

Some other countries may also allow immigration of foreigners as a gesture of goodwill.

In other cases – illegal immigrants may enter another country and settle down there.

The “host” country may be charitable to allow them to stay on – and they may not deport them back to their original country. 

Many “magnanimous” countries have such “guests”.

Gradually – the number of these “guests” becomes substantial enough to cause demographic change.

Now – like the “Camel” in the story – the “guests” may soon “throw out” the “host” from his own “tent”.

Even if they don’t evict the “host” out of his own “tent” – these “guests” may make life uncomfortable for the “host” in his own “tent” – just like the Camel did to the benevolent, humanitarian and kind-hearted Trader during the fable – before finally pushing him out of the tent.

Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – legal and illegal – may take undue advantage of their host country and the liberal benevolence and humanitarianism of the original inhabitants. 

Soon – these alien immigrants may start dominating the original inhabitants.

In some cases – assertive immigrants my try to impose their radical culture on their liberal hosts – and – some fanatical immigrants even jeopardise the safety and security of their host nation.

And sometimes – like the camel in the story – these immigrants may even succeed in evicting the original inhabitants from their homeland. 

History shows many such examples which have happened all over the world where illegal immigrants have started dominating and imposing their will on the original inhabitants.

MICRO LEVEL MORAL – “Guests” who overstay their welcome

At a micro level – this can happen in your own home.

I have seen so many “guests” who overstay their welcome – and so many guests who take undue advantage of the magnanimity of their “hosts”.

Let me narrate a few apocryphal examples.

THE BENEVOLENT HOUSE OWNER AND THE UNGRATEFUL TENANT

I have seen a case where a benevolent large-hearted person rented out his new locked-up house to a friend who was in dire need of accommodation.

The owner, an Army officer, was in a transferable job – and he served all over India – while his friend stayed as a tenant in his house.

Many years later – when the house owner retired from the Army – and he wanted to settle in his own house.

But – the ungrateful tenant refused to vacate the house – and – the hapless Army Officer – the house-owner – he could not stay in his own house – and – he had to live on rent in another house.

CUCKOO – STEALING AFFECTIONS – THE MARRIAGE BREAKER “GUEST”

I have heard a story – maybe apocryphal – about a “guest” stealing the affections of her host’s husband.

A compassionate caring kind-hearted woman invited a cousin sister to live with her in her home in the city – since her newly arrived cousin sister was finding it difficult to find a suitable accommodation in the city where she had found her first job.

The scheming cousin sister responded by seducing and stealing the woman’s husband.

Finally – the wily cousin sister settled down with the woman’s husband – and the hapless kind-hearted woman was turned out of her own house.

Yes – like in the Trader and Camel story – the woman was turned out of her own house by her “guest” – her own cousin sister. 

Her home and her husband was stolen by the “guest” – her own cousin sister – to whom she had been so magnanimous and hospitable.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

This fable has a lesson to all of us that you must not be too magnanimous, benevolent and over-generous in extending your hospitality. 

Humanitarianism has its limits – both at the macro and micro levels.

Be careful – otherwise there is a danger that you may become a “guest” in your own “home”.

The “guest” may endanger your security – and worse – the “guest” may even drive you out of your own home.

So – before you extend your hospitality to anyone – remember the story of the Trader and the Camel. 

And – at the macro level – liberal nations should think twice before they say: “Refugees Welcome”. 

Dear Reader – Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised and abridged version of my article which was first written by me Vikram Karve 12 years ago in 2005 and posted online by me a number of times earlier in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/03/hospitality.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/are-you-magnanimous-benevolent-and.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/are-you-good-host-musings-on-hospitality.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/do-you-want-to-become-guest-in-your-own.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/11/migrant-refugee-crisis-wisdom-story.html etc

SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS

SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS

Security is Everyone’s Business

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When we were in the Navy we were taught that safety and security was everyone’s business. 

If we found anything amiss, anywhere on the ship, we intervened immediately to redress the issue. 

We did not adopt a “chalta hai” lackadaisical attitude nor did we indulge in “jurisdictional” quibbling saying it is not my part of ship so it is none of my business or why should I poke my nose into someone else’s affairs.

On a Ship, Safety and Security was everybody’s business because if there was a lapse we would all “sink” together to the Davy Jones’s Locker at the bottom of the sea.

In today’s environment the same dictum holds true for you and me in the civilian world as well – security is your business, security is my business, security is everyone’s business.

In the distant past, security was the business of the security forces. 

The defence forces were responsible for “external” security and it was the job of the police to maintain internal law and order.

If you lived in a “safe” civilian place you were quite secure and it was the security forces who faced the dangers fighting the adversaries.

Recent events, over the past few years, have shown that this is no longer true and each one of us is vulnerable.

So it is high time each one of us became security conscious because in today’s environment security is everyone’s business.

There are two weak spots (or Achilles’ Heels) that undermine security consciousness:

1. “Chalta Hai”  Casual Attitude

2. Corruption

1. “CHALTA HAI” CASUAL ATTITUDE

Rules are in place but you don’t bother to follow them because of your “Chalta Hai” Casual Attitude

Let me give you an example.

There is a rule that when you rent out your house you are required to get police verification of antecedents of your tenants and proper registration of the rent deed or lease agreement done in the prescribed manner.

When we insisted that this rule be scrupulously followed in our residential society there was a deluge of protests from the non-resident owners.

These non-resident owners were real estate investors who have purchased flats for renting out.

Now-a-days non-resident “investors” heavily outnumber resident “end-user” owners in most new housing societies, at least in Pune.

They protested that this “unnecessary harassment” of tenants was affecting rental rates in our society.

When we explained to them that this was a mandatory security requirement they scoffed at us saying that we were being “dogmatic” and they scornfully told us that generally no one followed this rule.

Because of such casual attitudes towards security, it is no wonder that it is so easy for undesirable persons to rent a house and find a place to stay from where they can plan and conduct their nefarious activities.

Do you insist on police verification of antecedents of the people you employ at home, in your workplace and in your neighbourhood or residential society?

If you find a suspicious vehicle parked near your house or workplace or you see something irregular, a suspicious new structure or encroachment or an unknown person appearing suddenly, will you report it or will you look the other way saying it is none of your business and it is the job of the police.

Of course, the police are doing their job but haven’t you too got some responsibility towards security.

Remember, God forbid, if something bad happens, it can be you or your near and dear ones who may be casualties.

2. CORRUPTION

One of the main reasons why India is considered a “Soft State” and easy target is the rampant corruption prevalent at all levels.

If you pay a bribe anything is possible.

Conversely, if you do not pay a bribe then it is difficult to get things done.

You may have seen news reports of how easy it is for illegal immigrants from foreign countries to obtain various identity documents and residential proof documents like PAN Card, Aadhaar UID Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Driving Licence etc by paying bribes.

It is cruel irony that whereas genuine honest bonafide citizens have to struggle to get these documents made, persons who are not citizens of this country manage to get them by paying bribes. 

Earlier it was a mystery to me as to how foreigners can so easily enter our country and comfortably settle down here and carry on their activities, but now the reason seems to be quite clear – Corruption.

Wherever you are, whatever post you hold, remember that when you take a bribe you may be compromising security.

And each time you give a bribe (as mamool or speed-money) you are establishing a Corrupt Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which can be detrimental to security.

Security Consciousness entails eradication of corruption and unless corruption is contained we cannot become secure and safe.

Security is everyone’s business so we must do our bit to eliminate the two weak spots (or Achilles’ Heels) that undermine security consciousness – let us get rid of our “Chalta Hai” Casual Attitude towards Security and let us strive to eradicate Corruption.

Like they say, drops make the ocean, and I think in the matter of security too, a bottom-up approach involving everyone may be more effective than the top-down approach being presently adopted.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this book review. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

NB:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013 all rights reserved

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.