Pakistan has outranked India yet again on the World Happiness Index, making Indians very very unhappy. Indian media commentators' strong negative emotional reaction to their nation's poor ranking betrays how unhappy they are even as they insist they are happier than their neighbors. Coming from the privileged upper castes, these commentators call the report "absurd", citing India's higher per capita incomes and its space program. They seem detached from the real conditions in which the vast majority of Indians find themselves. They fail to acknowledge the high levels of inequality and unemployment prevalent in their country. A CNBC report last year found that one billion Indians have a per capita income of just $1,000 a year, lower than that of sub-Saharan Africans. 92.5% of Indians live in conditions similar to or worse than those experienced by the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. No wonder India ranks alongside the poorest sub-Saharan African nations in the World Happiness Report 2025.
 |
| World Happiness Map. Source: World Happiness Report 2025 |
Pakistan (109) has not only outranked India (118) but also ranked higher than Sri Lanka (133) and Bangladesh (134). The authors of the 2035 happiness report said new evidence indicates that engaging in acts of generosity and believing in the kindness of others are “significant predictors of happiness, even more so than earning a higher salary”. The family is a source of joy and support for most people, the report found. Couples who live with at least one child, or couples who live with children and members of their extended family, have especially high average life satisfaction.
 |
| Income Inequality in India |
An inequality report on India found that 92.5% of Indians live in economic conditions similar to those found in the poorest nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Only 0.5% of Indians enjoy incomes comparable to average Singaporeans, while 2% have incomes of average Polish citizens and 5% similar to Mexicans.
 |
| India Among Most Unequal Nations. Source: World Inequality Report |
Finland tops the World Happiness Report 2025 rankings, making it the happiest country for the eighth year in a row. It is followed by Denmark and Iceland. Other nations in the top 15 include Sweden, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Norway.
 |
| Wealth Held By Top 1% in Asian Countries. Source: Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2024 |
Even the higher-income Indians are unhappy. Millions of them are voting with their feet and leaving their country of birth in droves. India is losing its best and brightest to the West, particularly to the United States, at an increasingly rapid pace. A 2023 study of the 1,000 top scorers in the 2010 entrance exams to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) — a network of prestigious institutions of higher learning based in 23 Indian cities — revealed the scale of the problem. Around 36% migrated abroad, and of the top 100 scorers, 62% left the country, according to a report in the science journal Nature. Nearly two-thirds of those leaving India are highly educated, having received academic or vocational training. This is the highest for any country, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
 |
| Example of The Great Indian Brain Drain. Source: Boston Political Review |
Brain drain is defined as the loss of precious human capital of a nation. It is a “consequence of an education system designed for ‘selecting’ the best and brightest in an economy that is still too controlled and cannot create opportunities for its best and brightest”, according to Indian economist Shruti Rajagopalan. High-profile examples of India's human capital loss include Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (Google), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Arvind Krishna (IBM) and Ajay Banga (World Bank).
 |
| Foreign-Born STEM Workers in America. Source: American Immigration Council |
Growing number of Indian students are going abroad for higher education each year and 90% of them never return home after completing their studies. In 2022, the number of Indian students leaving the country for higher education reached a six-year high of 770,000. And a 2021 report estimated that around two million Indian students would be studying abroad by 2024.
Many developing countries are experiencing brain drain. But India is losing its best brightest at a much faster rate than others. Some call it "The Great Indian Brain Drain". This is the reason why Indians in the United States are the best educated and the highest earning group. In a recently published book titled "The Other One Percent", authors Sanjoy Chakravorty, Devesh Kapur and Nirvikar Singh explain this phenomenon.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
South Asia Investor Review
Guess Why Pakistani Analyst Uzair Younus is Making Headlines in India!
Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani: America Does Not Respect India
World Happiness Report: India Among Saddest Nations of the World
Balakot and Kashmir: Fact Checkers Expose Indian Lies
WB Poverty Update: India Biggest Contributor to Increase in Poverty
India in Crisis: Unemployment, Hunger Persist After Waves of Covid
Modi's Blunders and Delusions
India's Israel Envy: What If Modi Attacks Pakistan?
Project Azm: Pakistan to Develop 5th Generation Fighter Jet
Pakistan Navy Modernization
Pakistan's Sea-Based Second Strike Capability
Are Some Pakistanis Feeding Modi's Delusions of Grandeur?
Is the West Unwittingly Helping Modi Realize His Akhand Bharat Hindutva Dream?
74 comments:
So it seems like even in the midst of economic crisis, terror attacks and rigged elections, Pakistanis are optimistic and feel "happier" than their counterparts in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. More importantly, Pakistan outranked India by a mile, ranking a whole 9 rungs higher (109 vs 118)!
Are we arguing here over who is dirtier than whom while both countries are essentially stuck in the same mud pit? While we are at it, can we expect an article from you on the latest Freedom House rankings where India managed to score nearly double that of Pakistan (63 vs 32) or the EIU democracy rankings where Pakistan slipped further from 118 to 124 (India - 41)? Did you happen to miss that piece of news, or do you wish to cherrypick and highlight only those rankings or surveys where Pakistan managed to score slightly better than India?
https://www.economist.com/interactive/democracy-index-2024
https://freedomhouse.org/explore-the-map?type=fiw&year=2025
By the way, who exactly are these "Indian media commentators" you say who got "emotional" over these rankings? Modi's paid mouthpieces? What percentage of the Indian population do they constitute? I'm quite sure that even the vast majority of middle-class Indians going about their daily lives would have never even heard of these rankings and surveys, or at best would have ignored them as a random piece of uninteresting news.
And what's with that "brain drain" thing that I see you copy-pasting verbatim at the bottom of every article on India, as if educated Pakistanis are choosing to stay back in their country and becoming successful entrepreneurs? If it is meant to be a mandatory tail section for your gazillion articles on India, I hope you would consider rewording it a bit next time to make it look a little less repetitive, like how companies companies repackage the same product in a new cover or with cosmetic changes to make it look fresh. :)
Why is India an unhappy Republic?
The latest World Happiness Report 2025, sponsored by the United Nations, puts India among lowest rung in the global list. In a survey covering 147 countries, India was ranked at a pathetic 118, making it one of the least happy countries in the world.
https://newsarenaindia.com/undefined/why-is-india-an-unhappy-republic/39496
The annual report is published in collaboration with Gallup and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre. Though India has made considerable economic progress over the last few decades, it doesn’t reflect in the Happiness Index. The message here is that India needs to adopt a more focused, people-centric policies that result in fair distribution of economic gains. Instead of trashing the report as “western conspiracy to sully the country’s image”, we must take the findings as a wake-up call and work earnestly to improve the key development indicators.
A sharp and sustained focus on employment, health and social support areas could help the country significantly improve its global standing. The index shows that India’s poor position is mainly because of the rising socioeconomic inequalities, lack of trust in governments and widespread perception of high corruption in political and administrative ranks. It means an average Indian on the street is angry, restive and frustrated. This is despite being a rising economy.
The importance of having a job for happiness is a major factor and holds across all of the world’s regions. The people with a job evaluate the quality of their lives much more favourably than those who are unemployed. The data also shows that rising unemployment negatively affects everyone, even those still employed.
While economic growth is important, it is not the sole determinant of happiness. India needs to focus on holistic development that encompasses social, cultural, and environmental aspects.
Addressing income inequality and promoting inclusivity can create a more equitable and happier society. The UN report emphasises the importance of strong social connections and a sense of belonging. India can focus on strengthening community networks and fostering a sense of solidarity.
A lack of trust in institutions and fellow citizens can negatively impact happiness. There is an urgent need to root out corruption and build trust in government and social structures.
Countries like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, which consistently rank high in the happiness index, demonstrate the importance of strong social safety nets, high levels of trust, and a focus on overall well-being. India can learn from the Scandinavian model of social welfare, which prioritises the well-being of its citizens instead of blindly following the Western model of development.
All the observations and criticisms about India in the above article is totally fair and objective. But instead of endlessly obsessing about India's poor ranking of 118, would you care to say a few words about Pakistan's equally pathetic ranking of 109 and what that says about the country and its failings? Are you not coming across any articles about that? After all, the gap between India's and Pakistan's "happiness" rankings here isn't all that much compared to, say, the gap in "freedom" and "democracy" rankings (which I suspect you would rather not discuss about).
I asked @Grok the following question: Why does #India rank so low, below #Pakistan, on #WorldHappinessReport2025?
Here's its response:
Grok
@grok
India's 118th rank in the 2025 World Happiness Report, below Pakistan at 109th, stems from high income inequality, weak social support, and low life expectancy. Pakistan fares better in social cohesion and trust, boosting its score despite similar economic woes. India's persistent low ranking reflects unchanged structural issues like poverty and limited healthcare access. https://grok.x.com
https://x.com/grok/status/1903838370352255060
The iron grip of the caste system, which mostly goes unspoken, can be seen as a boon for some but a prison for most, whereas in PK there is at least the offer of equality (and humanity) on some basic level.
https://x.com/aem76us/status/1903837701322805732
Perhaps the more pertinent question that should be asked is why Pakistan too ranked so badly despite its supposed social or societal advantages over India. Or perhaps you already know the answer to it? It surely can't be economy, could it? After all, your voluminous essays on Indian economy suggest that contrary to external appearances of stability, the state of the country's economy is dire and looks even more hopeless than Pakistan's. They paint the picture of a country sinking under the weight of high unemployment, income inequality and poverty, with its skilled and unskilled workforces are fleeing abroad in record numbers.
India is huge and diverse, and the scale of its problems and challenges equally formidable. Whether it be on account of caste or religious discrimination, unemployment, poverty, income inequalities or lack of social cohesion and support, shouldn't India have ranked a lot worse than Pakistan in "happiness" ranking here? Or to think of it the other way round, shouldn't Pakistan have ranked a lot higher than India? But here we see India ranked just 9 rungs below Pakistan and 15 rungs above Bangladesh and Sri Lanka that have better HDI and other social development indicators.
So what am I missing here?
@A. Mitchell,
Nepal is over 80% Hindu and is ranked higher than Muslim-majority Pakistan and Bangladesh and Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka. Do you think Nepal has no caste discrimination?
From cultural clashes to environmental chaos, the global impact of India's growing influence is sparking fear and debate worldwide.
Indian Apocalypse: Why the World Is Terrified?
Happiness Index report leaves Indians unhappy
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2025/Mar/24/happiness-index-report-leaves-indians-unhappy
BENGALURU: The recently released World Happiness Report 2025, which placed India at 118 out of 147 countries, has sparked widespread criticism from netizens, including prominent personalities.
Many expressed disbelief over India ranking below Pakistan, Palestine and Ukraine, questioning the methodology used in the assessment.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar voiced his concern, emphasising that India’s ranking should be much higher.
“Having travelled extensively around the world, I feel India’s ranking deserves to be much higher. I disagree with India being placed so low, even below conflict zones. Happiness is not just about bonding; anger and frustration can also create bonds. But when it comes to the happiness index, I feel India is far, far better,” he said and added that on his travels he has observed that human values are much higher in India.
“Compassion, the way people welcome guests and how they share their resources is incredible. If something happens to a family, the entire village comes together to help. This kind of social bonding is very strong,” he said, adding there are issues in the country, but in the last decade, there has been significant improvement.
He also argued that poverty does not necessarily equate to unhappines, citing how even in India’s slums, people exhibit joy and resilience.
The World Happiness Report 2025, prepared by University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, faced backlash across social media.
Netizens questioned the credibility of the index. A user identified as GK pointed out on X: “I wonder what they measure. The suicide rate in Finland is 15.1 per 100k, which is higher than India at 13.4 per 100k. I doubt if happy people love to kill themselves!?”
Another post from Temple Tales read: “Everyone knows that India is a land of happiness; every day here is a festival.”
A post by Ravi Tiwari suggested reading the Happiness Index from bottom to top for a more accurate picture. Another handle listed countries using the highest number of antidepressant pills per 1,000 people, and India was not in the list at all.
Hello Mr. Vineeth
Thanks for your comments, Sir according to these international surveys and reports, India is even ranked lower than Palestine in Global happiness index where conflicts and wars are taking place .
The wars and conflicts which Palestine is facing is even worse than terror attacks that happened inside Pakistan.
Now how will you justify this ranking of Palestine being above that of India?
Now will you criticise and blame the international survey agencies for being anti Indian to an extent that they have placed India even lower than Palestine in this global happiness index?
Mr. Vineeth
Do you know that recently when Indians who tried to cross into America through the border of Mexico illegally were arrested and deported from America back to India. Indian media continuously cried and complained that American authorities did injustice with these illegal Indians by outing them in handcuffs and shackles when deporting them in the military aircraft of US airforce but nowhere the Indian media accepted that these Indians adopted a wrong way to reach America and neither Indian media told the Indian government to take strict actions against these travel agencies of India that send these Indians illegally to foreign countries .
The World Happiness Report must be the only source of happiness to Brofessor sb these days for in almost all other reports, IND beats Pakiland hollow. Regards
Vineeth, it is Barnol time for you.
G. Ali
Why India Can’t Smile: 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025 Exposes Modi’s Circus
https://youtu.be/-5Ql1wz4cmE?si=meq_-ChDQ99Temwq
India dreams of being a global superpower, but the World Happiness Report 2025 ranks it a pathetic 118th out of 147—closer to Afghanistan than anyone worth bragging about. Narendra Modi’s obsessed with outdoing China, yet tiny nations like Bhutan and Nepal are laughing their happy heads off way above us. What’s the deal? In this savage takedown, we rip into the circus of Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’—a $3.7 trillion economy that leaves most broke, corruption at 96th, and a youth drowning in 7-8% unemployment. From Delhi’s smog to rural neglect, India’s a happiness wreck while Modi chases Xi Jinping’s shadow.
Join us at Unpaid Insights as we expose the gap between India’s delusions and reality. Like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered rants—share this with your Modi-fan friends and watch them squirm! What do you think—can India ever climb out of 118th with this crew? Drop your thoughts below!
https://youtu.be/SFbceKuDcBg?si=eYjngnNrRz1U9B4z
Expert Exposes Modi’s Vishwaguru Scam: China’s Three Moves Ahead | India’s Economic Reality
In this eye-opening episode of Unpaid Insights, we dive deep into the harsh realities of India’s economic policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An Indian expert exposes the "Vishwaguru" facade, revealing how China’s strategic dominance is leaving India behind in the global manufacturing and trade race. From failed initiatives like "Make in India" to China’s calculated moves in supply chains, this is a story of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
I can understand why Indians are asked to introspect why their country is "unhappy", but I still do not get why Pakistanis should feel satisfaction or joy that Indians were "unhappier" than them by barely 9 ranks! Should Indians be celebrating that Pakistan was rated as more polluted than India at a country-level (even as Indian cities dominated on city-wise pollution rankings)?
"Pakistan ranks 3rd in list of most polluted countries for 2024"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1897218
Pakistan was ranked 2nd below Burkina Faso and above Syria in Global Terrorism rankings while India ranked 14th.
"Pakistan rises to second in Global Terrorism Index"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1896075/pakistan-rises-to-second-in-global-terrorism-index
Next time, please try to find some ranking where Pakistan has a meaningful lead over India. 109 vs 118 in "happiness" mean nothing in real terms. Both countries are "unhappy" enough.
Meanwhile, may I expect that your next writeup will be on Pakistan's continuing slide in the global "freedom" and "democracy" rankings, and the ongoing blanket ban on 'X'? Or would that be too much to ask?
India & Pakistan are safer than the United States. A complete list of world's 10 most dangerous countries for 2025
Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/india-pakistan-are-safer-than-the-united-states-a-complete-list-of-worlds-10-most-dangerous-countries-for-2025/articleshow/119518507.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
The United States ranked 89th on the list of the world’s safest countries for 2025, falling behind both India (66) and Pakistan (65), according to the latest list by Numbeo. A tiny European country Andorra is the best nation for globetrotters concerned with personal security.
To devise the “safety index by country for 2025,” Numbeo rated 146 nations based on the overall level of crime as “derived from surveys conducted by visitors” to their website. Numbeo factored in survey responses about how safe residents feel while walking during the day and night. They also accounted for worries over “mugging, robbery, car theft, physical attacks by strangers, harassment in public places, and discrimination based on factors like skin color, ethnicity, gender or religion.”
Also taken into consideration was the “assessment of the extent of property-related crimes, such as burglary, theft, vandalism” and violent crimes such as assault, homicide and sexual offenses.
Why India ranks low in the World Happiness Index: It has Pakistan as a neighbor.
I have never visited US (or Pakistan or any other country, for that matter), so I have no clue how unsafe its roads and streets are in comparison to India's. Nevertheless, its hard for me to believe that American streets can be more dangerous than those in many parts of India where incidents of theft, robberies, harrasments and sexual assaults are frequently. As much as I am ashamed to do it, I would strongly caution anyone against visiting my country at all. The question of how safe Pakistani streets are is for Pakistanis to answer.
Bhavika Kapoor
@BhavikaKapoor5
Hi
@grok
, If we remove top 10% rich from GDP calculation, then India GDP per capita will be equivalent to an African country. Yes or no?
https://x.com/BhavikaKapoor5/status/1905096726358196584
----------
Grok
@grok
Yes, if the top 10% richest are excluded, India's GDP per capita drops to ~$1,128, similar to African countries like Senegal ($1,090) and Cameroon ($1,150). This reflects India's high income inequality, where the top 10% hold ~57% of national income, skewing the overall figure of $2,613.
https://x.com/grok/status/1905098055940026664
Why are the rich leaving India, where are they headed? - The Economic Times
https://m.economictimes.com/nri/migrate/why-are-the-rich-leaving-india-where-are-they-headed/articleshow/119542930.cms
As part of a global trend topped by China and the UK, a large number of rich are leaving India. A recent survey by Kotak Private, a leading wealth manager, in association with consultancy EY, shows that a significant number of the rich are leaving India. At least 22 per cent super rich Indians wish to leave the country due to factors like living conditions here, better standard of life abroad and also easier business environment in other countries, the survey of 150 ultra high net worth individuals (UHNIs) said.
There were 2.83 lakh Indians who can be tagged as UHNIs in 2023, with each having a net worth of over Rs 25 crore and their aggregate wealth was pegged at Rs 2.83 lakh crore. The same is expected to grow to 4.3 lakh individuals possessing a wealth of Rs 359 lakh crore by 2028, as per the survey.
Kotak Mahindra Bank's president Gautami Gavankar, however, said the decision to migrate should not be seen as a flight of capital out of the country, pointing out that the caps on such activities ensure that the money does not flow out even if a person changes residency.
A report by Henley & Partners last year said that millionaire migration out of India is showing signs of slowing down. While a projected 4,300 high net-worth individuals (HNIs) were still expected to leave in 2024, this number was a significant decrease compared to previous years.
India, which has historically seen higher numbers of wealth exodus, was expected to experience a decline in HNWI migration in 2024 compared to the 5,100 in 2023, which was again lower than the net outflows of 7,500 individuals in 2022, as per the report. When lots of rich folks start moving out, it might suggest the economy is on its way to taking a nosedive. And this is probably why the projected decline in millionaire migration out of India could be a positive sign. While the country is still losing wealthy individuals, the slowdown suggests a potential improvement in the factors that were driving them away in the first place.
Traditionally, factors like low taxes, economic opportunities, and political stability were the biggest draws for migrating millionaires. However, the Henley & Partners 2024 report said that priorities are evolving. Quality of life, educational opportunities for children, and resilience to climate change are now equally important considerations. Additionally, the ability to protect wealth for future generations is a growing concern.
As per the Kotak Private survey, the super rich leaving India seek improved standard of living, healthcare solutions, education or lifestyle, adding that over two-thirds said smoothening of business operations is a key driver for them. Calling the migration decision as an "investment in the future", the survey also said that pursuit of excellent higher education for their children leads them to make the choice.
The survey said the professionals show a higher propensity to migrate than the entrepreneurs or inheritors, while from an age group perspective, it is UHINs in the 36-40 years and above 61 years who are more keen to migrate.
Where are the rich from India and other countries headed?
As is the case with many millionaires in other countries, Indians seem to be preferring the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has a zero income tax policy for individuals, and it levies just a 5 per cent value-added Tax on the purchase of goods and services, making it a top destination for millionaires with a projected inflow of a staggering 6,700 HNIs in 2024. Other popular choices include Australia, Singapore, the US, and Switzerland. These countries offer a combination of factors that are increasingly important to the wealthy: political stability, low taxes, excellent education systems, and a higher quality of life.
Unfortunately it is true that their are many indexes in which India is actually ahead of Pakistan.
But in the index of inclusive development which is actually released by WEF( World Economic Forums). Pakistan is ranked at no. 47 and India is ranked at no. 63.
This index actually shows how successful have the government of these countries have been in providing real development and progress in their country.
This index keeps into consideration factors like per capita income, life expectancy, jobs, health and etc.
Hello Mr. Vineeth
As far as caste system is concerned, I think it is a concept or culture that is heavily used and practiced in India and not in any other country.
As far as I know, caste system has more to do with Indian culture or Hindu culture than with the religion of Hinduism.
Canadian man asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality. He picked Pakistan | Trending - Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/india-vs-pakistan-canadian-tourist-s-take-on-desi-hospitality-goes-viral-watch-101742963072331.html
India vs Pakistan
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for his vox pop videos, recently stopped Canadian traveller Nolan Saumure to ask him about his opinion on desi hospitality.
“India or Pakistan, which country has better hospitality?” Saumure was asked.
“Pakistan, obviously,” the Canadian man replied.
Asked to explain why he picked Pakistan, Saumure said that Indians tend to treat foreigners like lucrative customers with an endless amount of money, rather than guests visiting their country. Pakistanis, on the other hand, display warm hospitality, asking tourists to share their food and even their homes.
“You go to India and people just look at you as a walking ATM,” said Saumure. “You go to Pakistan and people are just like, ‘Oh come here, sit. Take this free food. Oh come sleep at my place.’”
@Arun, I used to wonder how could some people be enslaved for 900 years. Now I read comments like yours and wonder exactly how stupid were Brits.
G. Ali
Brofessor sb, If you repeat the analysis for Pakiland, where does its per capita GDP end- given that it is about USD 1600 to begin with. Kindly ask Grok and let us know. Regards
Anon: "If you repeat the analysis for Pakiland, where does its per capita GDP end- given that it is about USD 1600 to begin with. Kindly ask Grok and let us know"
Grok
@grok
Excluding the top 10%, Pakistan's avg per capita income is ~$967 in 2024, based on IMF's $1,500 total per capita income and a 42% income share for the top 10%. Data varies across sources (e.g., World Bank $1,366, Statista $1,587.6), reflecting economic disparities.
Riaz Haq
@haqsmusings
The official nominal per capita #GDP of #Pakistan for 2024 is $1588. Based on this ratio of $967/$1500, the per capita income of the lower 90% of the population ( excluding the top 10%) works out to $1023.
https://x.com/haqsmusings/status/1905655374285602855
Did you consider the possibility that there may be many other foreign travellers who would pick India over Pakistan as well? I believe I am candid enough to acknowledge the failings of my country. Perhaps you should be asking yourself if you consider yourself to be one too, or is at best a Pakistani equivalent of a Modi-fied right-wing Indian. Your penchant to selectively highlight everything negative about India while ignoring or play down everything that is going wrong in Pakistan suggest the latter. Don't you think so?
Brofessor sb, Thanks for your analysis. What it means is that the income level of bottom 90% of Pakiland is 10% or more lower than those of the bottom 90% Indians. When you factor in that the poor in India get substantial freebies in the form of 5kg grains, 200 units free power, free medical insurance, etc they are probably even better off than their Paki counterparts. And at least some people are bothered about India's poor, Paki poors have been abandoned to their fate. It goes much to the credit of Pakistanis that still they are a much happier lot than the Indians. A good deal of this can be attributed to the natural good humour and zinda dili of Pakistanis especially Punjabis. Regards
Anon: Paki poors have been abandoned to their fate. It goes much to the credit of Pakistanis that still they are a much happier lot than the Indians. A good deal of this can be attributed to the natural good humour and zinda dili of Pakistanis especially Punjabis"
I think you're ill-informed about the social safety net programs in Pakistan.
Such programs are funded by government (Benazir Income Support) and non-government organizations like Edhi and Akhuwat Foundations. .
Charity (zakat and sadaqa) are among the 5 pillars of Islam. Every Muslim with the means is required to contribute. This makes Pakistanis among the most generous people in the world.
Most foreign visitors, including those from India, report seeing lower levels of poverty in Pakistan than in India.
"Most foreign visitors, including those from India, report seeing lower levels of poverty in Pakistan than in India."
You may be referring to a passing comment made by Javed Akhtar when he visited Pakistan. Tell me sir, how many areas of Pakistan did he visit back then? Did he visit the rural areas in under-developed provinces or districts? You cannot generalize a large country based on a short visit or the experiences in a very small area of it. A traveller who visits the Kerala state (and no other state in India) would say that the India he has experienced has high levels of literacy, social development, and very little of urban-rural divide or poverty. And Kerala despite being the smallest state in South India has a population that is larger than Sri Lanka's. But just as India cannot be generalized based on the experiences of one state or one city, so would be the case of Pakistan.
AFSPA extended in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh for another six months
https://api-esp.piano.io/story/estored/645/15565/237200/9221438/878352/vib-cm8vv0ytx04ym01itfnra8xlb?sig=0ed11f942c2a085f8bd8a26c02ff8464d2c5438587da177fa9be0394ee69c3e2&order=0
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the States of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for another six months.
In Manipur, affected by ethnic violence, the AFSPA has been extended in the whole State, except for the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five of the State’s valley districts.
“Whereas the Central government, after review of the law-and-order situation in the State of Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) declares the entire State of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 (thirteen) Police Stations of 5 districts, as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.04.2025, unless withdrawn earlier,” the MHA’s notification said.
The excluded police stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City police station, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching.
On November 14, 2024, out of 19 police stations in seven districts of Manipur, the AFSPA was reimposed in the limits of six police stations in five districts, mostly in the valley, in the wake of ethnic violence in the State that erupted on May 3, 2023.
President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13.
The AFSPA was withdrawn from all the State’s valley police stations from April 1, 2022 to April 1, 2023 by the Manipur government amid an improved security situation, and “large sense of security among general public”.
The provisions of the Act were withdrawn from the Imphal Municipality area in 2004. The disturbed area notification for the hill districts in Manipur has been periodically extended for the past three decades, with the last notification issued on September 26, 2024.
In Nagaland, the AFSPA was extended for another six months in eight districts, and 21 police stations in five other districts, another MHA notification said.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam, were declared as a ‘disturbed area’ for another six months.
The 1958 law gives power to the Indian Army and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant, and protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction.
The AFSPA has been applicable in Manipur since 1981. Manipur, a former Union Territory, attained Statehood in 1972.
So, ethnic conflicts and AFSPA in remote north-eastern Indian states interests you more than the security situation in KP and Balochistan?
@Vineeth, so the fact that your county is 119th on happiness and 109th on Hunger index, on top on racism index and the fact that the suicide rate went up by 25% in last few years interests you more that what is happening in Balochistan & KPK?
G. Ali
G. Ali bhai,
Yes, Vineeth Saar is like Brofessor sb - a large-hearted person. Brofessor sb is more pained by the sufferings of Indians than Pakistanis, while Vineeth Saar is more pained by the sufferings of Pakistanis. Regards
don't trust these stupid surveys..i guess once a country crosses 80th rank or so, then these numbers are irrelevant. We all have probably sat in a crowded class in school and know that after median, absolute ranking has little meaning. Riaz for all his statistics skills, seem to cherish 109th rank over 118th rank.
G Ali,
What are you trying to say, sir? Both India and Pakistan rank poorly enough in the happiness and hunger indices - 118 vs 109 in "happiness" and 105 vs 109 in "hunger". If Pakistanis can legitimately hype how they are "happier" than Indians by 9 rungs, should Indians likewise gloat how Pakistanis are "hungrier" than them by 4 rungs? Does that make any sense?
Also, the present security situation in KP and Balochistan seems far more serious than anything happening in India's north-east now. Therefore, Pakistanis trying to highlight the ethnic conflicts or AFSPA in India's remote north-east while maintaining a radio silence about the ongoing militant attacks and sectarian conflicts in KP and Balochistan wouldn't make any sense either. More so, since Manipur is a small, remote north-eastern state bordering Myanmar that even educated Indians will struggle to identify in a map of India, while Balochistan and KP constitute more than half of the land area of Pakistan.
So the gist of my argument here is, let's speak of those areas or rankings where Pakistan has acheived a meaningful lead over India, or vice versa. Else, it would be just a case of the pot calling the kettle black. While selectively chasing negative news about India, this blog totally ignores the surveys and rankings where Pakistan scored worse (and in some cases, considerably worse) than India, like the freedom and democracy rankings, internet speeds etc. This makes it a mirror image of the propaganda peddled by Modi-bhakts and the paid Godi media outlets against Pakistan, and I'm sure you wouldn't find that comparison flattering.
Vineeth, TLDR.
But, Pakistanis are not beating their chest about their country shinning or being the super power, you are.
Mere fact that you are reacting shows your insecurity.
G. Ali
G Ali,
- "But, Pakistanis are not beating their chest about their country shinning or being the super power, you are."
Can you point out one instance when I beat my chest and claimed my country is shining or that it is a superpower?
- "Mere fact that you are reacting shows your insecurity."
By that measure, the mere fact that some Pakistanis even bother to write articles on this shows their insecurity as well? Is it that they get relief and comfort in finding their neighbour and rival as much messed up as themselves?
(And as for the TL-DR thing, I am surprised you don't find the lengthy repetitive essays in this blog "too long" for your attention span and interest, but a couple of paragraphs in my comment do. Or is it that you were at a loss to counter the points I raised?)
Vineeth, when I say you, I don't mean you in person, it means you as Indians. Indians do beat their chest claiming "India shinning" & that it is a super power.
G. Ali
G Ali,
"Indians do beat their chest claiming.."
How many among the 1.4 billion Indians have you counted who beat their chests claiming they are "shinning" or that they are a superpower?
(Do you happen to know the numbers of Pakistanis who claim they are superior to Indians?)
Vineeth, come on l, you are just playing with words now. A large number of Indians believe the crap that is shoved down their throats by their government.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
I am not playing with words sir, but it is you who is evidently making broad assumptions based on your prejudices or limited experiences (in social media?). What is your definition of "many" Indians? How many? What percentage of the population do they constitute? What if I were to say that "many" Pakistanis consider themselves to be superior to Indians or that they harbour prejudices towards Indians?
Vineeth, so are you claiming that a large number, if not the majority, of Indians don't think that they are the next super power or that their country is "shinning"?
G. Ali
G Ali,
No, sir. The vast majority of Indians do not think India is "shinning" or that it is the next superpower. In fact, they hardly care anything about the matter. They have other day-to-day concerns and priorities. By the way, where did you get such an idea? How many Indians have you met in person to form such an opinion? Is it from the social media? They are a poor representation of any country, you know.
Vineeth, I will take your word for it. However, reading / watching Indian media and the social networks one does not get that impression. A while back in a Bangkok hotel I remember being bombarded with "India the next super power" ads on tv every few minutes.
Regarding your second question, my knowledge of India is not limited to reading a news paper. While studying in the west some of my best friends were from India, I have relatives in India (with whom I communicate regularly) and as a kid have visited India several times.
G. Ali
G Ali,
- "However, reading / watching Indian media and the social networks one does not get that impression."
I generally do not use social media and I do not follow visual media for current affairs and news. I read select print media outlets with a reputation of being relatively objective and not indulging in exaggeration and sensationalism. My opinions about the attitudes and priorities of Indians are based on the people I see around me. With the exception of the few who are politically aligned to BJP none of the others I have met believe that India is "shining" or that it is a superpower. But I must admit my experiences are largely confined to a small part of the country. India is large and quite diverse, so what can be said about one part of country may not apply to another. But one can safely say that since BJP and it allies won a lot less than half of the popular votes in the previous Indian general election, more than half of India surely do not believe in the "shining" and "superpower" hype.
- "A while back in a Bangkok hotel I remember being bombarded with India the next super power ads on tv every few minutes."
Were they Indian TV channels? Possibly one among the paid sensationalist Godi media outlets? I haven't watched TV since ages, so I have no clue what is the ad you are referring to.
- "Regarding your second question, my knowledge of India is not limited to reading a news paper. While studying in the west some of my best friends were from India, I have relatives in India (with whom I communicate regularly) and as a kid have visited India several times."
I'm not going to bother verifying these statements, so I take your word for it as well. I have never visited Pakistan nor have I met any Pakistanis in my life. All I know about the country comes from my online readings of DAWN. So I will not try to generalize or stereotype that country and its people with statements like "Pakistanis are like this.." or "Pakistan is like that..".
Vineeth,
The Chanel was a local English language Thai channel, not Godi media.
My friendly advice to you is to stop listening to Indian media and even Dawn is not very positive. If you really want to know about Pakistan then watch some good Pakistani dramas, read positive blogs, watch Shark tank Pakistan. Your opinion about Pakistan will change.
G. Ali
G Ali,
I have no clue why a Thai channel would bother to broadcast such an ad. But then an ad is an ad, and the claims made in any ad always needs to be taken with a liberal pinch of salt. Maybe it was a paid government ad and nothing more. Every government would want to advertise that the country is "shining" under them, whatever may be the ground realities.
And I have already mentioned that I do not watch any Indian TV or news channels. My sole source of news are the online editions of a few select print media outlets which I know to be "liberal" and reasonably balanced and objective. And your comment about DAWN not being so "positive" sounds eerily similar to what the average Modi-bhakt would say here about Indian media outlets critical of the Modi regime and the trajectory of India's politics and economy.
And as for your advice to watch Pakistani TV dramas and "positive" blogs to have a better understanding of Pakistan, I'm at a loss to decide if it was meant seriously or as a satire. Its like asking people to watch Bollywood films to understand India, or K-Dramas to understand South Korea.
Vineeth,
I get a feeling that you don't have a background in science and technology, your thought process is not very logical.
I didn't ask why there was Indian advertising on Thai TV, just informed you.
Have you heard there term "art depicts reality". Movies and TV serials depict a country's socio economic realities or people's aspirations. That is why movies like "Kashmir files" is made in 2020s and not in 2000s or 2010s.
G. Ali
G Ali,
- "I didn't ask why there was Indian advertising on Thai TV, just informed you."
And that's what I answered too - that it could be nothing more than a paid or government-sponsored political ad. It doesn't mean the 1.4 billion Indians believe in the hype. Treat an Ad as an ad.
- "Have you heard there term 'art depicts reality'? Movies and TV serials depict a country's socio economic realities or people's aspirations."
Nope, I haven't heard. And you are the first person I have encountered in my life to make a claim that movies and TV dramas made in a country are reliable depictions of that society's realities or aspirations. Do you believe that an average north Indian's life, concerns and aspirations are those that you see in Bollywood films or Hindi TV dramas? (I specifically mention those, as due to linguistic barriers Pakistanis might be unfamiliar with India's vast regional language movie and media industry that thrive outside of the Hindi-belt.) This is not to say that you wouldn't see any down-to-earth portrayals of life in them, but they are likely few. The vast majority of movies and TV drama these days are targeted towards entertainment, and only a few can be considered as works of art or depictions of social realities. You might make a claim that Pakistani TV dramas aren't so and that they show social realities of Pakistan, but I have no way to verify that claim until and unless I visit Pakistan and live there for a time. Until then I would rather trust news and articles from reputed sources, even if they don't meet your standards of "positivity".
And as for movies like "Kashmir files" or "Kerala story", they are cheap political propaganda films and nothing more. They were watched by some and they would be forgotten in a few years.
Vineeth,
"Art depicts reality", now you are educated and your whole argument goes down the drain.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
I'm sure you too would be "educated" enough to know that a one-line assertion made without supporting arguments or evidence has little credibility. Can you please substantiate your assertion that "art" depicts reality? What kind of "art" do you mean here? Paintings, poetry, songs, dances, theatre, movies etc.? Or do all these "arts" in their myriad of forms depict reality?
We will decide then whose argument it is that goes down the drain.
Vineeth, there is an Urdu saying, loosely translated it says "even a hint is enough for a wise person".
So, yes sometimes a one liner is enough to express an idea. That is why is I said you don't appear to have a technical background, you need long irrelevant essays to express yourself.
I am not a huge Bollywood fan but have recently seen some historical movies that are really not flattering for Muslims. This is sign of times, it can happen today when about 1/3rd of the voters have voted for BJP.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
Please enlighten me, what kind of a "technical background" do I require to understand your one-liner? I'm more inclined to think that you don't have a clear answer to give for the questions I asked. What I have asked is quite simple - substantiate your assertion that "art depicts reality".
I may seem to write "long irrelevant essays" to your eyes because I do not have the habit of making one-liner assertions as a dogma. When I make such assertions, I back it up with explanations or examples. Your penchant to see "reality" in movies and TV drama (which seems to be pretty much what passes off as "art" in your eyes) and form opinions about societies from them suggests either a shallowness of mind or a deficient attention span.
I don't watch Bollywood, so I have no idea what are the movies you are referring to here. And I generally avoid the movies that claim to be "historical" as they often take liberties with facts to present a one-sided narrative in black-and-white. But rest assured that a handful of such movies cannot be supposed to represent a society or its tastes by any stretch.
If you have managed to read till here, congrats.
Vineeth,
On April 15th you wrote '...Its like asking people to watch Bollywood films to understand India...'
Today you wrote "I don't watch Bollywood, so I have no idea what are the movies you are referring to here.."
So how do you know that Bollywood doesn't depict India?
Is it possible that some Bollywood movies show some real face of some part of India?
Please just give me a yes or no answer and spare me your regular mumbojumbo.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
- "So how do you know that Bollywood doesn't depict India?"
I wouldn't expect mass market commercial movies and TV dramas to depict realities anywhere whether they be Hollywood, Bollywood, K-Dramas or whatever. Their objective is to entertain, not to remind people of the "reality" around them, as people generally pay to watch movies for entertainment, not to see "reality". (Since you talk of "art depicts reality", haven't you heard of "suspension of disbelief" to enjoy a movie or a fiction?)
- "Is it possible that some Bollywood movies show some real face of some part of India?"
'Some' movies 'might' depict certain social realities, and that too only of specific regions, communities or subjects, but I would expect them to be relatively few in any movie industry, including the one in my own state. But that hasn't been your assertion, was it?
As I said I have watched very few Bollywood films, and those that I did were mostly the ones made in '80s and '90s that I watched during my childhood in TV. The only one I recollect watching in recent times was "The Lunchbox" starring Irrfan Khan. These days the only movies I bother to watch are those made in my native language (and that too only those made in '80s and '90s which is considered the "golden age" of Malayalam movie industry just as it is in the case of Bollywood).
And I'm sorry I could not give my answers as a simple 'Yes' or 'No' for any of your questions.
Vineeth, just a yes/no answer
Is it possible that some Bollywood movies show some real face of some part of India?
G. Ali
G Ali: "Is it possible that some Bollywood movies show some real face of some part of India?"
Some movies about India come to mind that are close to reality:
1. White Tiger
2. Peepli Live
3. Slumdog Millionaire
Riaz Sb., well said. Specially slumdog rubbed them the wrong way.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
"Is it possible that some Bollywood movies show some real face of some part of India?"
How would I know that sir, since I have watched so few Bollywood movies and have never lived in Bollywood-land (Hindi-belt) to know if it depicts "some" real face of "some"part of India? All I would say is, I would never recommend taking movies and TV dramas as mirrors of the state of a society. To understand any society, you need to visit the place, converse with its people and live there for some time. I have never visited Pakistan, nor have I met any Pakistanis in my life, which is why I do not make any prejudged, prejudiced statements about Pakistani society.
Again, I'm sorry to disappoint you with my "regular mumbojumbo" rather than a Yes/No.
I have never watched "Slumdog millionaire", so I wouldn't say it has "rubbed me the wrong way" yet. And I tend to see movies essentially as fictions even when they claim to be "historical" or depict real events or social realities, so none of the movies I have watched so far in my life has "rubbed me the wrong way" either. All movies are the visions of the respective directors and scriptwriters and are therefore influenced by their objectives, agendas, or even prejudices. From what little I have read about "Slumdog millionaire", though it is supposed to deal with an Indian subject, it isn't exactly a "Bollywood" film. Being an English film written, directed and produced by British nationals (though supposedly based on an Indian novel), its even less "Indian" than Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi" was.
I have no idea of the other two movies you have mentioned. I need to look them up.
By the way sir, I forgot to ask you this in my earlier comment. How did you come to the conclusion that those movies you mentioned above are "close to reality"? Have you been to India? Have you lived here for a time? Or did you draw your conclusions from the opinions of third parties or your own prejudices?
Vineeth: "Have you been to India? Have you lived here for a time?
Yes. I have visited and spent weeks in India multiple times over the years.
I have seen open defecation, hunger and abject poverty there with my own eyes. I have also seen terrible human abuse in India that is unique to the country.
- "Yes. I have visited and spent weeks in India multiple times over the years."
Okay, so, you say you have spent "weeks" in India over multiple times. And what parts of India did you get the chance to visit then? Remember, India is quite large and diverse, and your experiences in one part may differ widely from another part as I have often felt in my travels outside my state.
- "I have seen open defecation, hunger and abject poverty there with my own eyes. I have also seen terrible human abuse in India that is unique to the country."
Please tell me the terrible human abuses you had the opportunity to witness with your own eyes during your short visits, and in what parts of the country did you see open defecation, hunger and abject poverty? And are you quite sure similar human abuses and abject poverty do not exist anywhere in Pakistan? (No Javed Akhtar comment, please. I have no reason to believe that he travelled widely across the provinces of Pakistan and its rural regions to form an objective, balanced or informed judgement on the subject.)
And remember, I have no way to verify that such experiences as you describe were real and witnessed by yourself, but I choose to believe you in good faith.
Vineeth, you claim you have never met a Pakistani, you don't watch Pakistani dramas or any other thing related to Pakistan, you don't watch Bollywood movies. The only thing you do is read Dawn. Yet you act as if you are an expert on Pakistan and get offended when there is a negative comment about India.
Back to my original point, watch some Pakistani dramas, read some good articles and books. It will broken your horizon.
G. Ali.
G Ali,
When did I talk or act as if I'm an expert on Pakistan? As you yourself have mentioned, I had already made it clear that whatever I know about the country and its people is solely based on my readings of DAWN. So, I never make statements like "Pakistan is like this" or "Pakistanis are like that.." etc. On the other hand, it was you who have talked in that manner about India with your prejudices and stereotypes.
And as regards to your "original point", I have said many times already that I do not consider movies and TV dramas as mirrors depicting "reality" of any society. And what exactly is your criteria of "good articles and books"? I spend much of my spare time reading news, articles and classical literature, and do not watch TV.
Vineeth "When did I talk or act as if I'm an expert on Pakistan?", whether it is article on Pakistan's space program or natural resources, you need to but in. You may not say it but you act like one.
I am not prejudice about India (just like you are not a expert on Pakistan) but I am a realist (and wishful) about India. I am a hard core anti imperialism/colonialism and I consider India as creation, continuation and extension of imperialism. 21st century has no room for imperialism, the sooner it ends the better for the region.
Javed Jabbar's books would be a good start for you as well as this blog if you read it with open mind and take off you biased glasses (but I know that you are incapable of doing that).
G. Ali
Vineeth,
"Please tell me the terrible human abuses you had the opportunity to witness with your own eyes during".
Are you serious?
In Silicon Valley several companies, like Cisco, were sued by lower caste for caste discrimination by upper caste Indian managers.
California State University system is the largest university system in US with about 20 campuses, it recently added cast discrimination as one form of illegal discrimination.
California State Senate passed a bill where they added cast as form of illegal discrimination, the bill was vetoed by the governor so it didn't become a law.
City of Seattle has also passed a similar law.These things are not happening in vacuum, there is a reason for it.
Most Indians in the west are well educated or have the means to migrate but their nature has not changed. One can easily imagine what happens to the lower caste in India.
You should probably start paying more attention to Dalit voice than Dawn.
G. Ali
Vineeth,
"Please tell me the terrible human abuses you had the opportunity to witness with your own eyes during".
Are you serious?
In Silicon Valley several companies, like Cisco, were sued by lower caste for caste discrimination by upper caste Indian managers.
California State University system is the largest university system in US with about 20 campuses, it recently added cast discrimination as one form of illegal discrimination.
California State Senate passed a bill where they added cast as form of illegal discrimination, the bill was vetoed by the governor so it didn't become a law.
City of Seattle has also passed a similar law.These things are not happening in vacuum, there is a reason for it.
Most Indians in the west are well educated or have the means to migrate but their nature has not changed. One can easily imagine what happens to the lower caste in India.
You should probably start paying more attention to Dalit voice than Dawn.
G. Ali
G Ali,
"whether it is article on Pakistan's space program or natural resources, you need to but in."
Whatever I say on those subjects are based on publicly available information (especially articles and news reports from DAWN) which I frequently quote. I have never tried to act as an expert on Pakistani society or attempted to pass judgements on Pakistani people as I have never been there.
- "I am not prejudice about India (just like you are not a expert on Pakistan) but I am a realist (and wishful) about India."
I regret to say that your prejudices against India and its people (especially Hindus) have been starkly clear in most of your comments. Remember the times when you started on Hindu-hate and I had to remind you not to drag religion unnecessarily into the discussion? What does that say about yourself? When was the last time you saw me spewing such hatred against Islam, Muslims or even against Pakistan itself?
- "I am a hard core anti imperialism/colonialism and I consider India as creation, continuation and extension of imperialism."
Really? How is Pakistan different then? Did Pakistan exist before British came to colonise the subcontinent?
- "Javed Jabbar's books would be a good start for you as well as this blog if you read it with open mind and take off you biased glasses (but I know that you are incapable of doing that)."
I had never heard of him before. I took a cursory look at the Wikipedia article on him and his views as mentioned there looked quite moderate and reasonable enough in comparison to yours. I'll try to read his writings if I can find them.
G Ali,
I was asking Mr. Riaz Haq about the "terrible human abuses" which he claims he has seen with his own eyes during his India visits. Let him answer that himself.
Ashok Swain
@ashoswai
If India has become a land of milk and honey under Modi’s 11years of rule, why Indians, mostly Gujaratis, ‘using’ their kids to flee to the United States?
https://x.com/ashoswai/status/1916887838291067061
-------------
Indian migrants are 'abandoning' their minor children at US borders - Here's why - World News | The Financial Express
https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/indian-migrants-are-abandoning-their-minor-children-at-us-borders-heres-why/3825791/
The horrifying trend has gained momentum in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic --- with data showing that at least 77 unaccompanied minors were apprehended by border security between October 2024 and February 2025 (Photo: AP)
An increasing number of Indian children have been found ‘abandoned’ at the US borders in recent years by families hoping to score green cards. The horrifying trend has gained momentum in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic — with data showing that at least 77 unaccompanied minors were apprehended by border security between October 2024 and February 2025. Meanwhile the Donald Trump-administration is reportedly planning to seek out unaccompanied immigrant children to deport or prosecute them amid a sweeping crackdown on immigration.
According to a Times of India report, several Gujarati families have admitted to following this route of deliberate abandonment in order to secure green cards. A notable case cited by the publication pertained to a couple from Mehsana where the father (a lawyer) shared how he and his wife had moved to Atlanta illegally amid the pandemic — leaving their two-year-old son in India. Three years later the toddler was brought to the US by a cousin (also travelling illegally) and abandoned at the border near Texas with only a note outlining contact details.
In most cases the children are somewhat older — ranging from 12 to 17 — and find themselves abandoned at the US-Mexico border. Official data indicates that 22 children (out of 77) were caught taking the difficult route via Canada while a few others were intercepted within the country. The children act like ‘green cards’ — creating an opportunity for the parents to seek refuge on ‘humanitarian grounds’.
“I knew they were not going to be in danger. They were with my friends and relatives…and they were ultimately going to be in the custody of US law agencies….We can’t wait till our kids complete their studies in India and then opt for legal ways to enter the US. If they are there already when they are young, they can complete their studies, find a job and earn decent money,” a man from Gujarat told ToI.
But as the Trump administration continues to harden its stance on migration, such children might soon face deportation or criminal cases. According to report by The Guardian, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials may now be seeking out unaccompanied immigrant children across the US for such reasons while conducting ‘welfare visits’. Legal advice provided to unaccompanied minors has also been slashed this year — with funds not flowing despite court intervention. The federal agency monitoring unaccompanied immigrant children has also reportedly begun sharing sensitive data with ICE.
Post a Comment