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Immigration Breeds Unique Problems
By Lalit K Jha, HindustanTimes
May 31, 2005
For any senior citizen, emigrating to the US from a country like India, having very strong social and cultural moorings, comes along with its own "set of unique problems".
In a study, possibly the first of its kind, a group of four senior citizens from India, who migrated to United States in the past few years, have concluded that these problems many a times could end up being traumatic for them.
"In some cases, this could produce sense of isolation, mental depression and even falling ill. In some cases, there could be confusion of values and beliefs," they said in a report to the Santa Clara County, California, where they had underwent a four-month "Immigrant Leadership Course" from February to May 2005.
The report prepared by Chitta Ranjan Mukherjee, Ramji Patel, Thycaud Subramanium, and V Thyagarajan, has been made available exclusively to the HindustanTimes.com. All the four are more than 65 years of age, with Mukherjee being the oldest at 80. All of them immigrated to the US after having spent almost entire life, so far, in India.
"The problem of transition is seen to be particularly acute in case of immigrants from cultures in which family ties are strong and family values are cherished," said the report titled 'Towards Fostering Family Values in Immigrant Community'.
Talking to the HindustanTimes.com, Mukherjee said: "Elderly parents and grandparents from India come to the United States either as tourist visiting their children living here or they come as immigrants sponsored by their daughter and sons."
The report said such a situation affects the self-confidence of the elderly people, lowers their morale and erodes their influence on the growing kids in the family.
In their study after interacting and interviewing quite a number of such senior citizens in the area, the study said some of the elders, who immigrate as legal permanent residents, fail to apply in time for citizenship either because of a psychological barrier or lack of information.
In the report, the group of four senior Indians observed these elders have great potential to make significant contribution in the development and growth of their grandchildren, and thus to the US society.
"Grandparents counsel has protected many a child from drugs and gangs," Mukherjee said.
Referring to the new environment in the US, the report said: "The cost of international travel, the restrictions on entry and exit, the vast cultural differences and the difference in employment opportunities sometimes break up the nuclear families as well."
In such a situation, the report recommended: "It is important we do all we can to interact with these families, bring them together socially and culturally through our community centres and activities and try and restore family values and sense of belonging."
It is probably for these reasons that the Indian community centres at different places like Milpitas and Sunnyvale, of late, has been organising various programs for seniors. These include yoga, philosophical and religious discussions, creative writings and speaking, awareness program on current events, medical and health awareness and check-ups.
In their report, the Indian senior citizens have recommended several measures including regular get-together and social gathering of such people, besides observing 'Family Day' once a month in the city. "We have received encouraging response from the Mayor of
Sunnyvale," Mukherjee claimed.
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