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Something is just waiting to happen...
INDIAN High Commissioner T.C.A. Raghavan expounded on the poor interaction between Indian Singaporeans and Indian expatriates ("Indian expatriates 'need time to fit in'"; Sept 26). He also expressed confidence that this issue would get resolved over time.
While I agree that interaction and integration are natural processes that take time to evolve in any country, there is already a yawning gap between these elements here.
Many Indian Singaporeans born and bred here have parents who emigrated from India, seeking a better life.
We have worked hard, made good, served our national service commitments dutifully and, while leading settled and contented lives, have also welcomed Indian arrivals to help expand the talent pool and contribute to the economy.
In the past, many Indian expatriates have assimilated well. But the more recent wave of Indian expatriates prefer to keep to themselves and socialise only with those like them, even at places of worship and at cultural events.
They show little inclination to get involved with Singapore society, despite official and private efforts to encourage closer links.
Attitudes, values, perceptions and practices between expatriates and Indian Singaporeans inevitably differ.
Dr V. Subramaniam