''We do not have any fear at all,'' say Hong Kong Indians

Members of the Indian business community in Hong Kong say they have nothing to fear from the transfer of the flourishing British colony to China at midnight on Monday, June 30.

In fact, the mood among the Indians is quite upbeat, says Brig (retiredd) Chitranjan Sawant, who was in the Triving Commercial Centre recently to record the views of a cross-section of the society for the programme Eve of a Dawn in Hong Kong produced by Doordarshan.

Indians constitute a little over one per cent of the island's population, but, according to one estimate, account for 10 to 12 per cent of trade. The programme showed people, ranging from tailor to tycoon, giving their views about the transfer of power. None of them betrayed any fear.

Asked about the days ahead, a member of the famous third-generation-in-Hong-Kong Harilela family put the process of transfer in rather simplistic terms, saying, ''It will be like a change of government.'' Bob Harilela, another member of the family, said, ''We do not have any fear at all.''

Manu Melwani, a wellknown tailor in the territory, also did not foresee any difficulty in the future and said, ''We will work hard and pay taxes.'' Hong Kong has one of the lowest tax rates in the world with only profits being taxed. Social activist Mira Mehtani said, ''Hong Kong is Hong Kong. It is not Uganda.''

Entrepreneur Krishna Bihari Rathi, who fought for the passport of the Indians to save them from being deported, described the chief executive-designate of Hong Kong, Tung Chee Hwa, as a ''gentleman and successful businessman,'' and felt he would be able to provide an honest and transparent administration.

The Chinese seemed quite elated as Eddy Lee, a watch manufacturer-turned billionaire, said the unification would lead to a larger market for them. ''Hong Kong is a land of opportunities,'' he exulted.

The British, meanwhile, seemed to be overtaken by nostalgia as they prepare to sail off on the night of June 30 following a ceremonious farewell. A second lieutenant in the British army named Bushby said wistfully, ''It is very difficult not to have fun in Hong Kong'' with its races and the lively night life."

Susan Simmons, wife of the seniormost Royal Air Force officer, said she was taking the phone numbers of quite a few people. ''I will be in touch with them to know how Hong Kong progresses after the transfer''.

Liza Wang, MP, who is also a television presenter, summed up for the optimists, ''There is love all over the place.''