North-east People should join migration game. Canada is calling

Raj Singh *

(A message brought to the people of India's North East by Dr. Raj Singh, Ex-President, Manipuri Association of Canada)

Canada is a vast country with very few people. It does not have enough people to meet the work force demanded by its huge economy. Every year this country receives more than 250000 immigrants, 300000 temporary workers and 100000 foreign students from all over the world.

The world today is a global village. People move from country to country looking for opportunities. Every year about 30000 Indians move to Canada and about 12000 Indian students go to Canada for studies. In this scenario, it is shocking to see that people from India's impoverished North East Region are not participating in the game.

Based on the population statistics, when they participate in this migration game, at least 1200 immigrants and 500 students from NER should be in Canada every year. This is not happening. If this happens, we should see at least 70 immigrants and 30 students from Manipur in Canada every year. We are not seeing that number.

One basic reason for this failure may be the lack of awareness among the NER people about the various corridors of migration to Canada. There are several ways of going to Canada to start a successful life in this prosperous country known as "the land of opportunities". Canada has crafted 9 different categories of immigrants to accommodate people of varied credentials viz. professionals, semi-skilled workers, business people, refugees and family members of permanent residents etc. One has to know what category best fits one's own situations in applying for visa. An immigration professional can work out the best option for the intending immigrants, temporary workers or students.

A tradition needs to be inculcated in the minds of the NER people like the people in Punjab, Gujarat and Kerala did for themselves that expatriates guide and assist people back home to find ways to migrate. In this way, more and more of their folks migrate to developed countries and as a result these states are rich today from the remittances from their folks in foreign countries. The money sent annually by Keralites in foreign countries to their people back home is bigger than the annual budget of Kerala. India was the world's biggest recipient of remittance money to the tune of 70 billion US dollar in 2012. Where is the money for NER people in this game?

Canada's population is aging. There is no means to meet its work force from the natural population increase. The country has to depend on the immigrants. There is a forecast that Canada will still continue receiving 250000 immigrants at least for the next 30 years. NER people should migrate to Canada and help their people back home.

Canada's multicultural policies, peaceful life and recession-proof economy have made it one of the top ranking countries in the UN Human Development Index. It is a very welcoming country with very less racial discrimination. Its elaborate social welfare programs, world class education system and universal healthcare system provide a very supportive environment to newcomers.

In addition to the remittances, global exposure of our people through emigration will help in exchange of ideas and information to benefit the people in the region. In order to cause a new direction of thinking and action among the NER people and promote migration of NER people to Canada, some like minded people have launched a mission to help people in this region with a plan to open facilities like Canada Resource Centres, English Language Training Centres and Immigration Consulting Services in NER. The first Centre is coming up at Imphal soon. Such a move is expected to encourage people to go to other destinations alike, such as the US, Australia, UK etc. in the days ahead. At this hour, Canada is calling you!

Please contact
Dr. Khomdon Lisam, Imphal
E-mail: khomdon(dot)lisam@yahoo(dot)com
for more information about the mission and opportunities.

You can also contact
Dr. Raj Singh in Canada who is an Associate at the Globex Immigration and Legal Services Toronto.
Phone: 416 222 2115 (Off),
Email: raj@globexintl(dot)ca
Website: www.globexintl.ca