Keralites: Embraced by people,forgotten by authorities

Cultural performances were also seen apart from traditional food of Kerala.

Alex P Sunil,President of Kerala community in Ludhiana said,“We are about 20,000 in number. Just a few years ago it was half the number. But job opportunities in Ludhiana have brought Keralites here. More than 90 percent of Keralites living here are in private jobs and the rest have their own business.”

It was not only Keralites,but a large number of Punjabi families who were seen enjoying this festival. Rajeev Daniel,a resident of Vishal Nagar,had come with his wife,Shruti,to the festival and so was the family of Pardeep Sharma and Bhupinder Sidhu.

Sunil said,“Our Punjabi friends also participated in the cultural programmes and one cannot spot the differences in the dance steps of Kerala and Punjabi girls. It really gives us a feeling of brotherhood.”

He,however,added,“Though we enjoy good job opportunities here,the trains from which we travel are in pathetic condition. The two trains – Himsagar express,Amritsar-Kochivli which go till Thiruvantupuram are in very bad condition. Nearly 10,000 Keralites live in Jalandhar as well as Amritsar. We have taken up the issue with the railways a number of times,but to no avail.

The toilets are without doors,coaches are in bad shape. “A documentary film was also shown to the railway officials in Delhi. We feel bad about this step-motherly treatment. Every year we have to go back home to meet our relatives and friends and these trains are always packed.”

The residents are also facing lots of problems in getting identity proof. Sunil said,“Majority of us live on rent and it is difficult for us to get proof. We are getting bank accounts opened in South Indian bank,Federal bank (which are from south) on the basis of proof of Kerala. The DC also does not help us out.”

More than 30 percent of south Indians are yet to get ID proofs even after living here for many years,he added. Because of this,problem comes in the making of driving licence,ration card etc. The community while celebrating this rice harvest festival once again pressed their demands on the railways and administration.