Frederick Noronha
Tue, 11 Apr 2006 08:05:24 -0700
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Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of
Mapusa of the 1950s
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sidB6 ------------------------------------------------------------------ The other face of multiculturalism (LETTER FROM LEICESTER) By Prasun Sonwalkar, Indo-Asian News Service Leicester, April 11 (IANS) Leicester's officials delight in the success they have achieved in ensuring that its large minorities from the Indian sub-continent and elsewhere co-exist peacefully. Not everyone here is happy with this. Due to several historical reasons - mainly the settling here of the many Indians who were expelled by Idi Amin from Uganda in the 1970s - this town has one of the highest numbers of non-whites in Britain. Indeed, officials believe that by 2011 the town will have a non-white majority. Unlike most towns in Britain, Leicester's bustling city centre is a perfect showcase for its multiculturalism. Here, white and non-white consumers and traders are joined together in close economic ties. Leicester also has close trade ties with Gujarat and other parts of India. But if people from the Indian sub-continent here feel more comfortable than in any other part of Britain, there is also the other story of many locals who do not exactly share the enthusiasm for multiculturalism. Such people may not exactly be racists, but are distinctly uncomfortable with their town being almost taken over by people of different colours and nationalities. Several disadvantaged people among the white and Afro-Caribbean communities are sore with the rising prosperity of the Asian community. Disadvantaged whites believe that policies to promote multiculturalism had neglected them. Rising crime has also been a cause for concern for residents. Uneasy with the changing colours of Leicester, some families who have lived here for generations have moved out to other places in Britain, mainly to the sylvan south-west that has some of the lowest concentrations of non-whites. Dan Wilson, who used to live in the Knighton area, is so disgusted with the town that he had his family 'shipped out' to Devon for good. His family had been associated with the town for over 100 years. Calling Leicester as 'awful place', he wrote in a letter to the editor of the Leicester Mercury, a leading newspaper: "Myself and my wife have been totally disillusioned about how the city has rapidly gone downhill. "The level of crime and dirt, the number of rundown businesses and shops, and the influx of immigrants making you feel like a stranger in your own city, have all added up to us escaping this hell hole of what was once a proud and thriving place. "This is no place to bring a young family up any more. Traditional values have been thrown out of the window and you don't just feel safe in the city centre any more. No amount of money on a new 'cultural quarter' or extended Shires will help. "Anyway, goodbye Leicester, you won't be missed!" -- ---------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | Yahoomessenger: fredericknoronha http://fn.goa-india.org | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 ---------------------------------------------------------- Photographs from Goa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/popular-views/ _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)