A recent report from a social activist group paints a sad picture about the plight of the growing community of ethnic minorities, mainly those from South Asia, in Hong Kong. The report noted, among other things, that many poor families in this community are not getting social welfare and government services that they are entitled to because of language barriers.

The children of these migrant families are understandably having a hard time at local schools where Cantonese, the local language, is the main medium of instruction. The report urged the government to provide special education facilities for these children from ethnic minority families, giving them a chance to succeed in society.

Indeed, the problems facing the new immigrant families from South Asia are well documented. Though non-discriminatory in principle, government welfare policies are seen to have made inadequate provisions to address the special needs of this particular group of immigrants.

Hong Kong has had little experience in handling new immigrants other than those from the mainland. The public has largely ignored their existence despite their increased presence in some districts, particularly Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok.

This does not mean that we can continue to do so. Something needs to be done urgently to help these families, especially the children, to blend into society.

It is equally important for the new immigrants to take the initiative to learn the language and the Hong Kong way of life. In doing so, they will find that they can become successful and lead a prosperous life in their new home.

There are plenty of success stories of Indians and Pakistanis making a name for themselves in various different fields. Most of them have at least one thing in common. They all speak fluent Cantonese.

If you need a poster boy in this group of successful immigrants, look no further than the former news anchor at the Cantonese channel of the major local television station. She was one of most popular anchor women there and has moved onto bigger things since she left.

She and others like her have exemplified the adage: Hong Kong is a city of opportunity for all.

(HK Edition 02/05/2016 page7)