Why I Left India (Again) by Sumedh Mungee and Chetan Bhagat\'s Response to it

[KirKS]

First read Sumedh Mungee's failed R2I in Bengaluru, after 11 years in US, and the eventual R2A to California:

http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/22/why-i-left-india-again/

[QUOTE]Anyone who’s written about India has at some point claimed that there are two or at most three Indias, whether “airplane India” or “scooter India” or “bullock cart India.” Maybe they stop at three because it is difficult for the reader to imagine more.[QUOTE]Why do I feel better in the U.S.? Maybe it’s not because I’m at home here, but because I’m an alien. Perhaps three thousand years of history have made us Indians a little too familiar with one another for our own good. We’ve perfected Malcolm Gladwell’s “blink” — the reflexive, addictive and tragically accurate placement of other Indians into bullock carts, scooters, airplanes and who knows what else. These issues exist in all countries, but in India, I could see the bigotry in high fidelity and hear the stereotypes in surround-sound — partly because it is worse in India, mostly because I am Indian.Then read Chetan Bhagat's R2I success story in Mumbai (so far), after 11 years in Hong Kong:

http://www.chetanbhagat.com/blog/2011/10/24/happy-diwali-and-why-i-am-still-here/

[QUOTE]
My elder maid has kids in Bangalore. Every summer, we call them to our house to live with us. They play with my kids, with their toys. When we go to Bangalore, my kids spend a day in her house. They haven’t fallen sick because of it. Whenever she wants leave, if it is reasonable, we send her home. Every week, both maids have a day off. Every Diwali, we give them a bonus and a raise, given the high inflation rates. This year, I had a new book which did well, hence the bonus will be bigger.

When a cookery show wanted to feature me in my kitchen (Secret Kitchen), I insisted my maids are featured on the show, as they do my cooking. Both of them dressed up on the day of the shoot. The episode has one dish cooked entirely by my maids.

Day after tomorrow, on Diwali day, all of us will go see Ra.One together at a Multiplex. My driver will also get tickets for his family to watch it near his house. Altogether, 17 of us will watch the movie. That is what is fun about India. I am fortunate I am able to make a difference to these people’s lives – without it costing me that much.
[QUOTE]Most of India still doesn’t treat servants well. However, it is fun to be part of the trickle. It is nice to imagine that one day this trickle of positive change will become a flood. And that you, in your own little way, had something to do with it.

And this is the most exciting part of coming back to India. To be the ambassador of change in your own world. You don’t have to be a celebrity, authority or a powerful person to effect change. You just have to change yourself, and set an example for others. Slowly, people will see the right path.
Was very interesting for me, particularly the response of the famous writer/columnist R2I'er.

Of course, take sides and let the show begin :)

PS: If Sumedh by any chance is an 2IClub member, chances being high, feel free to give hints :)

[M V]

...PS: If Sumedh by any chance is an 2IClub member, chances being high, feel free to give hints :)

What do you mean by hints?

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My question was a little off-track. How did they directly go to discussing "when" to return to the U.S. rather than start with "should we return to the U.S.".

[okonomi]

What do you mean by hints?

...may be someone ought to compare the NYtimes blog writing style of Sumedh Mungee with a member's on this forum and speculate who could that/this be..:) ... commission Anwesha for the job ?

My question was a little off-track. How did they directly go to discussing "when" to return to the U.S. rather than start with "should we return to the U.S.".

when - is for those who hold a foreign passport and OCI visa
should - is for those who need to go to foreign (USA ?) consulate and suffer the visa rigamarole from square one.

[KahloRivera]

what is the big deal yaar. I also went to see a movie in one of the multiplexes with one of my housekeeping staff. I call her Tai (Elder sister). Came to know she likes watching movies and never been to the multiplex. So I planned it with her and we both went. The movie was boring but she enjoyed. Only costed me Rs 175 + a cold drink

PS: I am not famous....just a common Indian citizen who R2Ied after 7 years and still struggling.

Mungee - didn't have right expectations.
Bhagat - what he did...even a commoner does...so wahts a big deal.

Both the articles are not interesting to me

[TowardsHome]

I think there is an element of dramatization in both peices.Every major decision like R2i or LIA is almost a result of multiple variables .The cynic in me says neither did Sumeedh return to USA just upset about how he was being asked to treat servants nor is Chetan Bhagat staying in India because he is able to make a difference in his helpers' lives. Being a popular book writer, getting fat speaking assignments, lot of popularity(his Narayana Murthy rebuttal nearly hogged headlines ) have their own incentives.Both of them played to their respective galleries (partly at least ).

[boca]

PS: If Sumedh by any chance is an 2IClub member, chances being high, feel free to give hints :)

My devious mind wishes to post a comment on both articles with a link to this site to "discuss this further". :) Wonder if they will nix it as spam. :)

[KirKS]

My devious mind wishes to post a comment on both articles with a link to this site to "discuss this further". :) Wonder if they will nix it as spam. :)

Nike it..
I mean Just Do it. This is R2IClub's best chance to get 1000s of new eye balls, that too involving a very relevant topic for its niche skill. Bhagat has millions of followers!

[KirKS]

Mungee - didn't have right expectations.
Bhagat - what he did...even a commoner does...so wahts a big deal.

Agree that Mungee didn't have the right expectations. I am still struggling to see why he R2A'ed.

At the same time, let's not belittle what Chetan Bhagat claimed to have done, even giving a big discount to his celebrity status and an attempt to write a 'feel good' post.

17 people watching a movie this Deepavali, because of him, with more than half of them from his driver/maid families, is NOT something regular R2I folks do. Let's give credit where it is due. If his claims of his children staying for a day at his maid's extended family in Bengaluru while they travel, that's simply very good. We know how celebrity kids are raised in a totally secluded way.

[LotsOfRokda]

Is the clue in the caste enquiry? I remember having read a discussion on caste inquiry in one of the forms and a member getting annoyed about it.

What do you mean by hints?

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My question was a little off-track. How did they directly go to discussing "when" to return to the U.S. rather than start with "should we return to the U.S.".

[boca]

Mungee - didn't have right expectations.[/quote]
I am surprised that people tend to forget India in just 11 years, to form new opinions about the country that they left by reading Shri Thomas Friedman. :)