India and Canada, The Ethics Test Abroad
India is often marketed to the globe in large quantities. Narendra Modi talks of a five-trillion-dollar GDP, ranking among the top economies, and worldwide recognition. Those objectives may be attainable, but statistics may detract from the fundamentals: people need good employment, fair compensation, and a feeling that regulations matter. Without it, a GDP headline seems distant, and some folks may pursue money and prestige in unfavorable directions.
That is why the latest news from Ontario has touched a chord. Police said five persons of Indian ancestry were detained for allegedly executing a coordinated stealing operation across various LCBO locations, resulting in alcohol losses of $237,000 dollars. The courts will determine guilt, and everyone deserves due process. Still, the news spread quickly because it seemed to be a battle between national aspiration and individual conduct.
A straightforward question lies behind the viral argument. If India is actually providing enough decent employment at home, why do so many Indians continue to believe that leaving is the only way to achieve stability, and why do a tiny percentage find up in problems abroad? The solution isn’t that Indians are inherently criminal.
Most Indians abroad live peacefully, work hard, and obey the law. The more realistic response is that progress may be unequal, and instability can accompany immigration
India’s authorities often hail the diaspora as a symbol of national strength. In many ways, such pride is deserved. Indian physicians, engineers, nurses, drivers, business owners, and students bring significant value to other nations. They send money home, help families, and strengthen bonds across civilizations. However, the diaspora also serves as a mirror. When a few people are jailed abroad, the mirror shows personal failure, but it may also reflect external influences that influence decisions.
Many students and newcomers to Canada endure costly tuition, high rent, and low-paying jobs that barely meet basic needs. Some people borrow extensively, anticipating immediate profits, only to discover that the arithmetic does not work. That tension does not justify stealing, but it does explain why seemingly pointless actions might seem to the perpetrator as a way out of fear. With the attraction of peer groups and shady networks, a lousy notion might become a strategy.
There is also a reputational cost, which is difficult to quantify but easily felt. Each arrest generates a headline, which might reinforce a stereotype. Host communities may begin to see ordinary Indians with distrust, which is wrong. It may make life more difficult for students looking for homes, workers searching for employment, and families attempting to settle.
It may also contribute to a vicious internet loop in which opponents exploit a few examples to malign a whole country, while supporters reply by denying that any problem exists
Both replies miss the point. Individual illegal actions may not reflect the whole nation, but they do matter. A society’s strength is not only its GDP, but also its daily respect for the law, public property, and the dignity of others. When someone steals in a foreign nation, they are not simply violating local laws. They are also undermining confidence in their community and providing ammo to those who already see immigration as a danger.
So, what does a truth check look like for India’s economic claims? First, it entails being truthful about your job situation. Counting employment is not sufficient. The concern is whether employment are steady, safe, and well-paid enough to allow people to live dignified lives. It entails investing in talents that fit actual need, rather than merely rhetoric. It entails making it easy to start small enterprises without getting bogged down in unreasonable costs and delays.
And it entails treating young people as citizens with futures, not as props for campaign speeches
Second, it implies improved preparation for migrants. Students and workers traveling overseas want accurate information on prices, legal employment laws, and the dangers of criminal networks. Indian missionaries may conduct greater outreach, and community leaders should cease portraying hardship as a badge of respect. If someone is getting behind, they should feel comfortable asking for assistance before a terrible choice evolves into a criminal case.
It entails rejecting the temptation to transform every international crisis into a political weapon. Critics should not exploit the Ontario situation to ridicule a broader national goal. Supporters should not dismiss it as a slander. The adult reaction is straightforward: hold people responsible, uphold due process, and address the circumstances that encourage desperate shortcuts. Millions of everyday, honest deeds, both at home and abroad, help to build a really robust economy. Anything less is just a number. India may set ambitious goals while being grounded. Pride in progress should be tempered with humility about shortcomings and a clear message that success without integrity is failure. That’s the actual exam.
