May 2, 2011
Relocation seems to be synonymous with us Mangalorean Konkani speaking people, starting from our forefathers from Saraswat Mandal in Rajasthan to today’s generation, mainly to the Gulf and a few other parts of the western world.
Relocation happens due to many factors and, more so in today’s world, due to political harassment and economic considerations. In the present times, recession in one area contributes to the population moving to another area. We are experiencing similar pattern here in the Middle East, with some countries still facing severe recession and others starting to boom.
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Being one of the privileged, or the victim, who moved away from a very developed country to a new one which has started developing, the difference is palpable. The reason for relocation was more pragmatic, taking into consideration the overall economic situation. The focus remains on moving on to new areas and new challenges.
In this quest of something new, we totally forget the emotional aspects of making such a change. Staying on in a place for many years and seasons, one becomes accustomed to the way of life and adjusts his routine activities accordingly. Added to this is a friend circle, relatives over the years, the relationships that matured and developed. Many years before the same emotional situation would have arisen amongst us when we left home, leaving behind our place of birth, school, parents, friends, all those memories.
Many a time we feel that the grass is green on other side and take hasty decisions based on emotion rather than reasoning and proper introspection. Being in a new place can be unsettling both emotionally and economically. This is the time when positive thinking and pragmatism is needed. As the successful say, dream big and think positive.
This poem is a tribute to all those who relocate to new areas for various reasons:
Greener Pastures - A New Beginning
Moving away from known to unknown
Leaving behind thoughts of a million
Friends and relatives left behind
Thoughts linger on in a bind.
A decade of life swept past
Struggle and achievements linger on to last
New life and a fresh beginning
In a world of unknown thing
Challenge is what we are ready to take
To start a new decade of lasting awake
Meeting new friends and building relations rife
Adding treasury of new memories alike.
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