Making the decision to immigrate to a new country is both exciting and difficult at the same time, especially with small kids and if you are not sure about the place and whether you will be able to find a job. We researched a lot about the place while we applied for the visa, we also prepared our minds with both good and bad possibilities; we knew that there was no looking back. We connected with friends and agencies in WA through social sites, and we remained motivated and positive.
Our first few months were difficult, we were very nervous and scared but we remained positive, we made new good friends, we were determined and tried to adapt to the new culture quickly. My husband and family supported me very well and trusted in my capabilities. Very soon we got jobs, kids started school and we came to know the surroundings. Now we have relatives and friends who are looking at immigration options and consult us for information and advice. Our only advice is to think positive, be hard working, remain dedicated, and pray. Good things will always happen to good people.
I think it is a privilege to be part of the Kwinana community. There are a lot of things that the government is doing which I like. I consider myself flexible and adaptive but it is an equal and opposite reaction – the way you behave is the way people behave to you.
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I was born in Assam in India. My mum has tried to tell me to enjoy life always, you know; be fun and enjoy. She just feels that you never know, you know, what happens next so just live the moment and be yourself. And my dad always taught me discipline, because I think it just comes from the army background. So our routine used to be getting up 6 o’clock in the morning, going to church, coming back, getting ready for school, and coming back from school, finishing the studies and then we used to get time to play before dad comes back from work. And after work we used to say the rosary (the prayers to god), and it was meals, half an hour TV, and then we used to sleep at 8 o’clock, 8.30. And my friends used to make fun of me. I used to love it, you know.
I don’t worship money, I don’t, but I value it. I know what the value of money is. I know when you don’t have it, how it feels, and when you have it, how it is. Year 11 and 12 I did science and then I moved into commerce because I couldn’t cope up with science. And that was the time when my dad went, passed away, basically, and we were financially a little difficult, so I had to study and work. My sister was married and she was away, and it was me who was responsible to take care of the family. So my mum used to do a little bit of stitching, blouses and clothes, but it was majorly on me that I had to earn, to study and to take care of the house, yea.
My dad came back from the army; civil life is very different to the army life, you know. There it is more organised. So my dad struggled getting a job. Finally he got into a good company, a public company, but the salary was not that good, and he had used all his money to building the house and everything. The company was closing and then they didn’t give him enough of compensation. And he struggled basically, then he got into addiction.
I’m very happy that I came to Australia and I think my children should appreciate, you know, the life they’ve got, because we’ve struggled when we were kids and I feel privileged, basically. I feel happy when I’ve got my kids growing here and they are spending a good life. So it’s really good, you know, it was always a good opportunity, I always wanted to do this, and I feel I’m just waiting to get a citizenship!
I would like my children to have little bit of culture and traditions to follow, yes. See, they have got friends and family over here now, but at last they are Indians, they are born in India, and their parents are Indians. So I think they will have that mixture – they’ll grow up as an Aussie, with all their friends and all, but they’ll have little bit of Indian.