I looked at Maniam with awe and admiration. He is a travelling gardener and all-purpose guy for menial tasks. My friend moved house and got Maniam to help to move the furniture, household appliances, audio video equipment and even the garden plants. Some of the things were as heavy as lead. But, to Maniam nothing is impossible.
My friend gave away an old TV to Maniam. I saw him tying the 5okg TV to the pillion seat of his motorbike. I asked him what he was trying to do. He said he was going back to his house and the TV would be riding pillion. But, his house is not down the street. It is 20km away! And, he has to travel through a stretch of highway. Can you imagine the 50kg TV wobbling on the pillion seat? What if it topples off?
I firmly told Maniam I would help him to transport the TV in my car. On the way, I began to interview him.
"How many children do you have?"
"Two. A boy and a girl."
"They are lucky to have you as their father. You work very hard."
"My children live in India."
"India? Are you Malaysian?"
"Yes, I'm Malaysian. But, my wife is from India, so my children live in India."
"How often do you see your children?"
"Twice a year"
"So, you see your wife only twice a year?"
"No, she comes here every three months."
"Why do you choose to live like this?"
"My children will have a better future in India. I send all my money to them."
"How do you spend your time here without your family?"
"With friends. I share a rented house with a group of friends. I share my room with two other people."
I'm still trying to understand Maniam. Why is he willing to make such sacrifices? Has he been misled, brainwashed or has my country failed to convince him that it can offer his children a good future?
My friend gave away an old TV to Maniam. I saw him tying the 5okg TV to the pillion seat of his motorbike. I asked him what he was trying to do. He said he was going back to his house and the TV would be riding pillion. But, his house is not down the street. It is 20km away! And, he has to travel through a stretch of highway. Can you imagine the 50kg TV wobbling on the pillion seat? What if it topples off?
I firmly told Maniam I would help him to transport the TV in my car. On the way, I began to interview him.
"How many children do you have?"
"Two. A boy and a girl."
"They are lucky to have you as their father. You work very hard."
"My children live in India."
"India? Are you Malaysian?"
"Yes, I'm Malaysian. But, my wife is from India, so my children live in India."
"How often do you see your children?"
"Twice a year"
"So, you see your wife only twice a year?"
"No, she comes here every three months."
"Why do you choose to live like this?"
"My children will have a better future in India. I send all my money to them."
"How do you spend your time here without your family?"
"With friends. I share a rented house with a group of friends. I share my room with two other people."
I'm still trying to understand Maniam. Why is he willing to make such sacrifices? Has he been misled, brainwashed or has my country failed to convince him that it can offer his children a good future?
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