Indians join in fight against race bias

On July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China, the erstwhile British colony came alive with the most boisterous demonstration of political assertiveness.

As happens every year, this year too a rainbow coalition of political and social advocacy groups marched in the sweltering heat to voice their demands on a range of issues: from ending racial discrimination of ethnic minorities to decriminalising sex work to enforcement of a minimum wage...

For Indians and other ethnic minority groups, the issue of utmost concern right now is the Race Discrimination Bill, which is close to being passed. Advocacy groups say the bill does not adequately protect ethnic minorities' interests, and in fact "legalises" current discriminatory practices.

Fermi Wong, executive director of Hong Kong Unison, who champions the cause of ethnic minorities, points out that the bill does not cover government functions, and there are far too many exemptions "You have to wonder if the government is really committed to eliminate racial discrimination." The fight will be taken further with a protest demonstration outside the local legislature on July 9, when the bill is taken up for final reading. 

There's at least one area where Indians benefit from "positive discrimination", and that's in the area of tourism. The Hong Kong Tourism Board is preparing to roll out the red carpet for big-spending Indian tourists, and has enlisted the services of reigning Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan in that noble endeavour.

The 20-year-old Mumbai girl, who will compete for the Miss World pageant in the Ukraine in October, is in town to hard-sell the joys of Hong Kong to an Indian audience. She will do the rounds of the territory's sizzling scenic, shopping and culinary delights, and will report back to her adoring fans back home. The Hong Kong Tourism Board is hoping that the girl with the polysyllabic surname will bring in planeloads of credit-card-happy Indians to Hong Kong.

Diligent readers of DNA will recognise the name of Vernon Ram as an occasional contributor from Hong Kong and a frequent provider of lively feedback on editorial content. Vernon, who started his career as a sportswriter in Bombay in 1946, has the distinction of covering four Olympics (from 1952 until 1964) and several Wimbledons, and ran a popular column called 'Ringside Seat' in Indian Express.

Moving to Hong Kong in the 1960s, he worked in the Hongkong Standard, and later in the South China Morning Post, where he is remembered by colleagues as the 'King of the News Desk'. Even after his retirement, he has kept up a lively interest in journalism, and contributes to a range of publications.

Six years ago, he climbed Mount Kailas to celebrate his 75th birthday! Last fortnight, Vernon suffered a stroke, and is recovering in hospital. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery, Vernon. Here's hoping you'll be back on your feet soon: there are many more mountains to climb, and another Olympics will soon be upon us. Besides, those gatherings at Woodlands over idli and dosa just aren't the same without your joyful company...