Banghala worker

Watch a video on my sociology class last sat.....Basically its about a Banghala worker's experience when working in Singapore.

I do confess I have quite a lot of prejudice against them, mostly some stereo-typically role like drinking, fighting and trying to take advantage of gals in a crowd. But after the show, I do believe at least I would accept them as part of the community.

Mr Banghala reluctantly left his sick mother and wife in hometown India and came all the way to Singapore to earn a living. And beacuse of that, landed himself in huge debt to the middleman. At first when he arrives, he never smoke, drink or any other bad habits but very pious to his religion.

He began to learn how to call back home. His fellow colleague advise him to lie (as it was a norm for all their friends) to his family, saying life was good, boss cares for them and they each have a room of their own. Reason being not to worry his family back home. Then subsequently, his family needs money for healthcare as well as dowry for sister's marriage. He picked up gambling. He also have no choice but to drink and smoke since he needs to gel into that primary social circle. After all, they are the only friends he had.

Reflecting on this, I suppose most immigrant or foreigners in Singapore definitely feel this way too. Happiness but nobody to share, sorrow yet no shoulders to lean on. The longing for home and the agony and helplessness when there is bad news from home.

I had a short stay in Thailand once, I know this feeling of lost but still the feeling I believe is incomparative to them. Don't blame them if they "clog out" the whole serangoon road and little india. Its the only small space where they are near home. Reflect on ourselves, when we have a little drink, do we whisper or we shout too?? We are all the same!!.

If characteristic like skin colour, language and behaviour divide us, then our world is definitely a small and lonely one. If for now we can't befriend them, at least don't "siam" them. Nobody likes to be an outcast or feel unwelcomed especially when they are lonely overseas.

I suppose next time instead of labeling them with stereotypes, learn from them! If you can't imagine yourself leaving your home, working overseas as labourers, staying in infavourable conditions yet needing to support his home, learn from them.