[Gulf Goans] Mumbai Catholics prefer to go abroad

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 06:35:51 -0800

Mumbai Catholics prefer to go abroad
   By: Lajwanti D'Souza / Mid Day
   March 3, 2005

The Catholic community in Mumbai has witnessed a strong migration to the West in recent times.

According to immigration facilitation centres in the city, of the 15-20 people that walk into their offices every day to make inquiries on immigration, at least half belong to the Catholic community.

USA is no longer a hot favourite. Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the new destinations.

Kishore Sadrangani, who runs NZ Connexions, an immigration facilitation centre, confirmed that Catholics ranked high on the list of immigrants. �The reason,� said Sadrangani, �is probably because they feel at home abroad.�

�Catholics are more in tune with the western ways than others in India, which makes it easier for them to slip into the new lifestyle. Moreover, many of them already have relatives staying abroad,� said Sadrangani.

Vipul Mehta, of International Connections, another immigration centre, continued in a similar vein.

He said, �While the possibility for better work opportunities drives them overseas, the community can also relate to the West�s lifestyle and work culture well.�

There are neighbourhoods in Bandra, Santacruz and Borivali where the community�s youth (between the ages of 20 and 30) have moved to foreign shores.

Bandra resident Maria D�Souza�s daughter Suzanne is settled in London, and her son Milroy D�Souza, a doctor at KEM, is planning to move base shortly.

�My daughter has a good job and her life is more comfortable there than it would have been here,� said D�Souza.

Another Bandra resident, Philomeina P, whose daughter lives in New Zealand said, �She owns a house, which is unthinkable for the middle-class in Mumbai. The medical services are far superior too.�

While the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Consulate offices report a steady rise in Indians seeking immigration, there is no community-specific data. The number of migrants to Australia jumped from 4,581 in 1999-2000 to 11,149 in 2003-04.

Gabriel Pillai, a solicitor based in Australia and India, handling issues of immigration, said, �Labour is valued abroad. A mechanic earns a good salary and has a status in society, unlike India.

Dignity of labour is one of the crucial reasons for migration. Also, it helps that Catholics are well-ersed in English as well.�

However, Dolphy D�Souza, of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, would much rather that the community stays rooted in India. �I would tell them to make do with what we have here. The grass is not always greener on the other side,� he said.

Voices

Opportunities are better abroad. My daughter calls me every day, so I do not miss her presence here
� Maria D�Souza, housewife

I�d rather they stayed in their home country. India has a lot to offer and we must live here
� Dolphy D�Souza, president, Bombay Catholic Sabha

There is dignity of labour abroad. A mechanic has a good salary and has a status in society, which is not possible in India. That is one of the reasons why people migrate abroad
� Gabriel Pillai, solicitor dealing in immigration issues



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