The city of Hidaka in Japan is known as the bastion of the royal sport of horse racing. Hundreds of stables in the Hidaka region prepare 80 percent of the horses for racing in Japan. Madan Singh, an Indian expatriate who prepares horses there, says, “It feels a bit lonely to be away from your family, but my income is more than double that of the village.”
Madan Singh, 31, left his wife and children in his village in Rajasthan seven years ago and came to Urakawa in southern Hidaka in search of work. He takes care of the horses all day and lives with his companions nearby.
Madan Singh is not alone here. Of the 62 workers in his stable, 14 are Indians. This business, which was struggling with a shortage of workers, has now got helping hands. Indians who are experts in horse rearing now come here in large numbers to work. The local residents are trying to settle down easily in this community and lead a peaceful life.
The cool breeze of the morning in Urakawa town brings peace to the mind. But the sound of the horses’ hooves soon starts to disturb this peace. Preparing these horses for the race is not easy, but this work gives peace to many people. These days, workers from many countries have started joining it. (NHK World)
