Of Bollywood Hopes and Unexpected Racism: Young Refugees in Delhi

The Quint meets six refugees in Delhi to discover a myriad of histories, memories and a dislike for Delhi summers.

The Quint met six young refugees in Delhi, and among a myriad of experiences and histories, discovers one thing in common – no one likes Delhi summers. 

(Photo: Hardeep Singh/The Quint)

As a special series on World Refugee Day, The Quint met six young refugees in Delhi, and among a myriad of experiences and histories, discovers one thing in common – no one likes Delhi summers. This is part two of a two-part series. Click here for the first part.

Amir Akmal Khamiz: When Bollywood Shapes Expectations

Amir is 22 years old and came to Delhi from Darfur in Sudan three years ago. He is studying networking as of now. (Photo: Maanvi/The Quint)

The best thing about Darfur for me, was my family and my home. Which was destroyed by the war. Before the war, Darfur was a beautiful city. It had huge farms and so much culture. It was so peaceful. Whatever we wished, we could get. It was a big city, smaller than Delhi, more like Hyderabad, maybe? I had a big farm back home, with bananas and mangoes, which we used to grow. It is a part of my life which I miss. 

Amir Akmal Khamiz, Student, Refugee from Sudan

Amir had seen a different India in TV and films. In this India, people are polite and don’t discriminate. They don’t treat all African countries as one, and somehow, there is always song and dance.

Conversely, I had heard of a different Darfur. Often as a newspaper item in the international section of a newspaper, and almost always associating the name with war. Funnily enough, over the course of a conversation, both of us were compelled to look beyond our perceptions, and proven wrong.

Why don’t you as a journalist write about the discrimination we face, and say that not all African countries are the same? The India I saw in Bollywood films was so different. I had to come India because of fear. Because the war had started in Darfur. 

Amir Akmal Khamiz, Student, Refugee from Sudan

I hesitantly ask. “Do you think you made a good decision coming to India?” He looks at me thoughtfully and then shakes his head.

Wow, I don’t know. It’s a very hard question to answer. Even though the reality in India is different from what I thought, I just have to accept it. 

Amir Akmal Khamiz, Student, Refugee from Sudan

Mohammed Yama: With Dreams of Modelling in His Eyes

Mohammed Yama came to Delhi from Kabul, Afghanistan when he was 12 years old, in 2010. He is 17 years old now, and loves engineering and modelling. And, wants to pursue a career in both. (Photo: Maanvi/The Quint)

When I came here, I was a child, I don’t remember much. But the thing I remember most about Afghanistan are dry fruits. Especially Kandahari Anar, which I used to eat every day, have you heard of it?

Mohammed Yama, Student, Refugee from Afghanistan 

A set of questioning eyes pause at me briefly, and then just as quickly go on to narrate another incident about life in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Life back in Afghanistan was good. My mother was a doctor and my father was a businessman there. But when we came here, she started to work for an Australian NGO. And my father, I don’t know where he works. Because I don’t see much of him during the day. 

Mohammed Yama, Student, Refugee from Afghanistan

Coming to Delhi at the age of 12, Mohammed Yama was initially confused by the noise levels in the city, and the language. Now, a Commerce student in an open school, he wants to pursue a career in modelling in Delhi, like his Indian friends.

Najeeb Ullah: Love for Software Engineering, Interrupted

Najeeb moved to Delhi just 9 months ago from Kabul in Afghanistan. He misses the cool Afghan winter the most, and dislikes Delhi summers. (Photo: Maanvi/The Quint)

I was studying software engineering in Afghanistan, but now my degree is not recognised. In India, Afghan refugees aren’t allowed to work, they need work permit. I I got selected for some jobs in Noida, but they asked for a work permit, which I didn’t have. For now, any kind of work would do, to survive. But I would love a job in computer engineering. 

Najeeb Ullah, Student, Refugee from Afghanistan

Najeeb is a tall, shy young man, and as I take out my camera, he bashfully informs me that he loves getting photographed as well. And dutifully strikes some poses, while I cajole him for a couple more shots.

Almost all of my friends in Kabul are now in Europe, few of them remain. One of my favourite places in Kabul was Babur Park. But Delhi is safer than Kabul. I miss the Kabul weather the most, specially in winter when there was snow falling... But it is not very safe, so. 

Najeeb Ullah, Student, Refugee from Afghanistan

“Would you go back to Afghanistan, if given the chance?”, I ask. He pauses.

Unfortunately, I can’t go back because of the security situation. If things stabilise... I don’t know.

Najeeb Ullah, Student, Refugee from Afghanistan

Also Read: Of Rebuilding Homes and New Beginnings: Young Refugees in Delhi

(This article was originally published on 20 June 2016.)