The Travails of an India Returnee

May 15, 2009
By

Rajesh, one of Akhil‘s closest buddies from grad school, recently quit his job at a Midwestern technology firm to move to this top tier tech company in Bangalore.

Akhil managed to catch him on Yahoo messenger during one of his late nights at the office, and thought he’d share some news that would interest his old friend.

Akhil: Hi Rajesh! Whats up buddy?
Rajesh: Hey Dude! I am ok. Sup?

Akhil: I am doing ok. You tell me how’s India? Having fun?
Rajesh: It’s alright yaar. Life going on.

Akhil: Guess what, i am considering moving back to India! :)
Rajesh: hmm…
Rajesh: Frankly Akhil, don’t do that MISTAKE!

Akhil: What? Why?
Rajesh: Abe its not worth it. India is full of shit. I don’t want you to make the same mistake i made.

Akhil: You sound pretty unhappy about your move?!
Rajesh: I am not. I REGRET it.

Akhil: Wow. That bad?
Rajesh: Yaar the job scene is bad; its not easy to move base; and its just too much effort.
Rajesh: You slogged your ass to reach a position in the US. Now don’t give it all up to come back to India.
Rajesh: If you are thinking of coming back to India think hard, then Do Not do it.

Akhil: But i think that there is more growth opportunity in India; all the tech companies are there; and salary levels have risen pretty high.
Rajesh: That is true. You might get a nice job in India. But there are so many problems.
Rajesh: The quality of life…pollution…corruption…dishonesty will be all over you. I can only advise my friends not to repeat my mistake.

Akhil: Arre yaar all this was there when i lived in India all my life before coming to the US. How bad can it be?
Rajesh: Sure. Just that now that you are used to and have access to better amenities, then why do you want to give it up?

Akhil: Well, all of that is true. India may have little problems, but running away isn’t the solution.
Akhil: And like they say, home is where the heart is! I am coming to India.

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16 Responses to “ The Travails of an India Returnee ”

  1. Kavi on May 15, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Home is where the heart is ! Ofcourse. And sometimes, amenities and comfort make a new home too ! and thats the home some hearts live in !

    In anycase, i believe all of the world is home and that there should be no passports…. ( Ok. Please excuse me. I have watched the election counting and i am a little bare minded..)

  2. Chikki on May 15, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    Ya..Going back to India will be a mistake for sure :)!!Its not just the electricity,water and pollution..But also the people like autowallas and policemen of Bangalore — all this clubbed together makes your life quite messy..errr..hate to think of it..!!

  3. amreekandesi on May 16, 2009 at 12:56 am

    @Kavi - :)

    @Chikki - I guess Akhil doesn’t think so ;)

  4. Roshni on May 16, 2009 at 1:37 am

    Well, congratulations on making a tough decision and sticking to it! Wish you all the best!

  5. Prerna on May 16, 2009 at 1:39 am

    AD, I guess if you are able to survive for the first couple of years after you return to India, you are happy. I know at least 5 people who are back in India after staying in US and Europe for many years and they are quite happy to be back. The reason for frustration after retuning to India could be that one hasn’t done his homework well. The negatives and positives are apparent and one has to weigh them before making a decision.

  6. Smitha on May 16, 2009 at 6:55 am

    I have heard the very same arguements.. We are quite certain that we want to return to India.. We have a base in Bangalore, friends , home, etc.. But have to say, that I get the same arguements Rajesh gave Akhil from a lot of my friends too.. For me though, the overriding factors are 1. to be closer to family 2. Can’t reconcile to bringing up my daughter here.. I also think it is important to make an informed and conscious decison, keeping all the problems in mind..And to go back before we get too used to the life here :)

  7. Indian Homemaker on May 16, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    I guess it has to be an informed decision … an emotional decision just won’t do :( Even if the home is where the heart is, one may not always be very comfortable at home :)

  8. Indyeah on May 16, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    Home is where the heart is for sure :)
    but also the practicalities have to be kept in mind…reason over emotion..and that says that ‘Phoren’ as of now has more opportunities career wise and education wise…

    but then again I have had no such experiences …so cant really say :)

  9. amit on May 17, 2009 at 8:06 am

    The trick is to get out of it before you get used to it! ;)

  10. Dinesh on May 18, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    It just depends on what Rajesh was looking at. Like Prerna said if we return after a little homework and looking out for things that we need, it shouldnt really be a problem. It is up to Akhil to like it or not when he returns and that’s what happened to Rajesh. and it was up to him to dislike it.

  11. amreekandesi on May 19, 2009 at 1:23 am

    @Roshni - This is Akhil we are talking about! I didnt say i am moving - not yet at least!

    @Prerna - That’s good tips - definitely some homework is required, and you need to be clear about your reasons.

    @Smitha - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Those reasons would figure prominently in my list as well.

    @IHM - true words! Welcome to Amreekandesi!

    @Indyeah - Practicalities are definitely important!

    @Amit - That just about sums it up :)

    @Dinesh - Exactly, it is what you make it to be, which is the point of this post. For Rajesh, the corruption/pollution made life hell, but for Akhil it was the idea of living at home that made him so excited about moving to India despite all the problems.

  12. Suda on May 20, 2009 at 12:53 am

    I would like to ask a simple question to Rajesh, is having better amenities enough to be happy/satisfied/whatever in life?
    My answer is NO. What is yours amreekandesi? :)

    Cheers

  13. amreekandesi on May 20, 2009 at 1:49 am

    @Suda - Based on this and other posts, what do you think my answer would be?

    Anyway, i am guessing this question would be for Akhil/Rajesh - i am just a teeny writer! ;)

  14. pria on May 22, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    We balance life as our hearts which has its plus and minus. Can we change blood just for the sake of.. Life is all about peace and happiness. Rest matters only in the mind which can crave just for a sweet.

  15. amreekandesi on May 23, 2009 at 1:46 am

    @Pria - Welcome to Amreekandesi! I agree, life is about peace and happiness. Just that the definition of peace and happiness varies among people!

  16. Ankita on May 30, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Excellent post! I really enjoyed reading it. I will be back for more!
    Sincerely,
    Ankita
    helpdebtconsolidation.blogspot.com

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