The Brain Drain
Here's the problem. This country is economically unsound, socially unstable and its future uncertain. Those that have options have plans to move their families abroad for a better life. Many have already taken the plunge. In fact, for some even in the unstable, civil war torn neighbour Sri Lanka there is future certainty and promise of a better life to be found. For the growing number of our educated and professional elite, highly industrialized and developed countries are ready to greedily embrace them any time.
The problem of brain drain is a huge problem even today in many countries of the Middle East and South Asia, where, much like us (or worse), their future is uncertain and the environment unpredictable. Many professionals, doctors, engineers, accountants migrate to countries of the West in search of better pay, better education for their children and better living conditions. The result is the stifling effect of the brain drain felt by the losing country. It sort of creates a cyclic effect out of which losing countries find it hard to break free from.
Here too we are creating similar conditions for a possible mass brain drain. Social problems such as child abuse, about which little has so far been done by the government, is on the rise. People, especially educated, thinking fathers and mothers worry about their child's wellbeing and innocence, not just from teachers and strangers but from relatives with whom they are forced to live in congested conditions. There is a growing hopelessness fueled by the inaction of authorities to properly punish perpetrators. A sense of lawlessness in the system is always at the back of everyone's mind.
The emergence of gangs within the last 5 years or so have made the streets unsafe for children and women. Just few days back a boy was stabbed 9 times by knife and sword wielding gang members and now his life literally hangs in the balance. What is worse is the lack of proper medical equipment and services to save that boy's life and for that matter anyone's life from anything more complicated than influenza. I've been told that one of the major gangs is funded by crooks that work for the government - people who partake in shaping the future of this country. The sense of hopelessness is further reinforced by this kind of information.
Economic stability is under threat too as we face the rising oil prices and bloated budgets. The recent rise in the price of powdered Milk for instance is a simple example of how everyone gets affected. The struggle for survival is not a struggle anymore - it is a war. And it has spilled into the streets in the form of drug abusers, gang members and loitering youth that have no direction in life.
Then of course there is the threat of terrorism. Reading about the links between the perpetrators of the bomb attack of 29/9 and international terror networks and "cells" is so frightening that every thinking and able Maldivian must be grappling with the impossibility and uncertainty of a sound future for this country and possibly already making plans for a future elsewhere.
This maybe our only real home. This maybe where our forefathers lived and the last remnants of our culture and tradition survive. But today I don't see a future for my children here. As every day passes by as the possibility of living a contented and happy life, here in this very paradise that is ours, is becoming impossible to fathom.
With our future so bleak, or simply uncertain and non-existent at this point, the educated elite is planning to leave this country behind for the dogs. The result will be the brain drain and that is a sad thing to happen to a country.
Comments
Im a Maldivian living in a western country. I am a practicing muslim and its not easy living here being a muslim. So i have decided to move back to Maldives for the time being. Simon I know what you are going to say..No im not going to change my religious beliefs.
Posted by: ahmed | November 17, 2007 4:34 AM
Simon, you should stop being so negative about things. Do you never see anything good or positive to write about, or is it just your readers like pessimistic articles like these that you keep feeding them these type of articles for the '4 minutes'?
Posted by: Random | November 17, 2007 10:26 AM
ahmed, why do you find it hard to be a practising muslim outside of our country?
I think that is a ridiculous statement. In almost every country, besides Maldives and Saudi Arabia, you can practise any religion you want. I don't believe simon has said anything to change your belief.
I feel that your intentions are more like the theocratic crowd that wants to establish a talibanistic regime here.
Posted by: november | November 17, 2007 11:38 AM
Ahmed,
Erm...ok. That's good. I'm proud of you. Whatever.
Random,
I have a question for you: can you suggest something positive to write about? This is a genuine and honest question. Help me. :)
Click for reality
Posted by: Simon
|
November 17, 2007 12:39 PM
The brain drain is going to happen whether we like it or not. It is not entirely restricted to Maldives. It is happening everywhere. From Philippines to the African continent.Even in the developed countries , locals are missing out due to the hard working Indians or Africans or the Chinese. They are willing to work for a lesser amount while giving 200%.
While the hard working people move out of these developing countries , the more fun living types like to move in to these countries.
For instance in the case of Maldives many westerners would like to come here to work (something like a working holiday). These people will bring in their skills. It is a matter of making use of this skill.
Posted by: maldiveshealth | November 17, 2007 3:08 PM
In my view, and if you look back from history (where most have been intentionally erased), you may be able to know that this trend began as early as Maldives became a republic.
And i can't agree with you much on why people migrate is based on better opportunities abroad. as you said, is a massive problem in parts of Asia and also Africa. I am not saying, government need not provide better offers for those educated people coming in, but people have varying prefferences.
One major problem in our society is that, the owners of private enterprises are widely uneducated and the government of Maldives does not seem to understand the basic concepts of economics (such as, Demand, supply, specialization, comparative advantage, etc...) Many issues can be overcome if concentrate on conducting careful studies on these areas and applying what we have learnt.
Posted by: Coin | November 17, 2007 8:45 PM
Good article.
'ahmed' wot in the world are you talking about?..many a times it's easier to Practice 'Islam' in non-moslem countries than it is in so called 'Moslem' countries.
Posted by: Dr.Freex | November 17, 2007 9:37 PM
anyone who has the brains to turn this country around and stop this 'brain drain' and etc , leaves. they go abroad like you said and settle there.
they leave.
coz quite frankly, trying to save a nation doesnt put food on the table. so they do the smart thing. or is it the lazy thing?
either way, if someone doesnt sweeten the deal nobody capable of actually doing something is going to stay in this country. they will all leave and who will be left in our pretty pretty Maldives??
expatriates! thats who!
maldivians as we know them will become extinct!
Posted by: bulhaa | November 17, 2007 11:15 PM
hmm i was saying that based on my experience.. maybe your experience was a little better than mine in the west..
being a muslim is not only praying the friday and eid prayers. it is more than that. it's a way of life. the way of life in the west is completely different. imaging you are the only muslim at your workplace, you are the only person who doesnt drink alcohol, the only person who doesnt eat pork and eat halaal food, the only person who has to pray 5 times a day. these may look like small things. every single day you have to be aware of these things but the rest of them just continue with their normal life. in male' atlest i did not have to think about all these things and there was no pressure for me to drink alcohol and had to choose another dish because it's not halaal food. you probably will be saying these are simple little things, but what if you face this shit everyday. that was what i meant it ain't easy ;iving among non-muslims..
Posted by: ahmed | November 18, 2007 3:26 PM
Ahmed
You better immigrate to Saudi Arabia where women are prisoned and lashed for being victims of rape, and lawyers are penalized for talking to the media about the injustices the courts sanction against the innocent and the weak. That is the sort of Islam that you will not be allowed to practise in the West.
Posted by: suhail | November 18, 2007 10:55 PM
Ahmed,
One more thing. Belief is not something you can change even though you wish to. It has to come within.
Posted by: Suhail | November 18, 2007 11:03 PM
Ahmed
I think you are paranoid. You better get professional help before you head home. We have a tendency to believe that West has better cures for all sorts of ailments. Otherwise you will be forced to UBAH JAHAN.
Posted by: Suhail | November 18, 2007 11:29 PM
Go easy on the guy willya...'ahmed' too has told some valid points!
Posted by: Cajun | November 18, 2007 11:44 PM
Cajun
One valid point in his ravings? It is nothing but a madman's ravings.
Posted by: Suhail | November 20, 2007 2:09 AM
so now im paranoid? these things i just mentioned are things every muslim have to do.. like i said before, you are either a muslim by name who prays only friday prayers (so typical of some Maldivians) or a very pro western who thinks the west is the cure for everything. there's no cure. the west is as corrupt as your (wherever you came from) country. this world is corrupt.
PS: don't come here and call me a madman. just go and live with non-muslims while you trying to be a good muslim. then you will know who the madman is. i bet you won't last 2 days.
Posted by: ahmed | November 20, 2007 4:42 PM
so now im paranoid? these things i just mentioned are things every muslim have to do.. like i said before, you are either a muslim by name who prays only friday prayers (so typical of some Maldivians) or a very pro western who thinks the west is the cure for everything. there's no cure. the west is as corrupt as your (wherever you came from) country. this world is corrupt.
PS: don't come here and call me a madman. just go and live with non-muslims while you trying to be a good muslim. then you will know who the madman is. i bet you won't last 2 days.
Posted by: ahmed | November 20, 2007 4:43 PM
Interesting statement: "..thinks the west is the cure for everything."
So true isn't it? West is the best! They are here to save us all from Islam! Yay!
Posted by: nass | November 20, 2007 10:04 PM
"The emergence of gangs in the past 5 years is a gross underestimation of the gang problem Maldives (atleast Male') has faced for the past decade. Gangs first emerged in Male' during mid 90s. The difference is now media is able to present every single incident which creates a perception that gang is has suddenly escalated from nowhere. But that is not true, gang crime has been a huge problem for long time.
Posted by: Marshall Mcluhan | November 21, 2007 7:45 AM
West is definitely not the cure for everything, you tell me what is better, the so called Muslim countries? Or the Taleban style of theocracy. West is not inviting you to go and embrace them, but you are go there and embrace their way of life. And when you no longer cope up with them and not able to compete and win you blame them for every disaster that befalls on you.
"a very pro western who thinks the west is the cure for everything.there is no cure.the west is as corrupt as your(I am from Maldives) country. This world is corrupt". This is just like the ravings of Seung-Hui Cho, the 23 year old South Korean originated Virgina High student who murdered 32 fellow students and faculty members and commited suicide in the name of Jesus, on 16th of April 2007.
Simon, please forward this madman's information to the concered authorities before he commit mass murder, if you have no intention of acquiring a guilty conscience for the rest of your life. Take appropriate action NOW.
Posted by: Suhail | November 22, 2007 1:47 PM
Looks like everyone's too concerned for Ahmed. heheh ;)
I wonder the reasons WHY?
Posted by: Ca | November 22, 2007 3:02 PM
o wow !
random thinks ther r positive things to write about maldives !!
and simon. i dnt c any 'remnant of culture and tradition' in maldives...wotz there to preserve? maldivians r thoroughly, and it seems permanently,westernized..
Posted by: agonysia | December 17, 2007 8:48 PM