For a malayalee, Dubai with it’s dreams is an integral part of our culture, a place that has rescued many malayalees from abject poverty who in turn not only uplift their families but also socio-economically improve the state’s resources. It’s no less a promise to fortune for the malayalee underdog than the “American Dream” and no less a boost up the marriage-ratings system for a gulf-return than our “Babus”.

At least that was the state some years back…

Of course, there were stories of swindling, toil and worker abuse (*slavery* loses out on accord of it’s historical connotation to be used here). But they could be conveniently brushed under the rug for the ROI they provided. Convenient, at least for families and friends. After all, what is being cooked at 55 degree heat in a wok-sized room with 12 disgruntled decaying fellow-workers, if it pays for some food on the table, a sister’s wedding, few maidservants (who pass along the storied legacy to their children in hope of a rescue), a palatial house and fodder for countless stereotypes.

Dubai seems to be in shambles today, seeking desperate help from its neighbors. Numerous reports had dropped unmistakable hints, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. If the economic elements weren’t enough, there were enough indicators via deplorable human conditions. The latest, an article in the Independent, The Dark Side of Dubai is a superb dissection of what makes Dubai work, why it’s impossible to fathom that it works, yet why it box-jumped a few generations of progress.

Unfortunately, as stereotypes and facts go, the poor malayalee would be the most concerned of the lot.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 8:50 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.