r2i forum

@avasanth,
Are you living in chennai by any chance? especially during that crisis? Although my previous posts sounded too cynical, I am facing too much corruption in several walks of life. However, I am cautiously accepting that there are good things as well, which made me to move to India after living in US for 2 decades. Probably atleast based on that, you can safely assume that I am not casting any aspertions just like that as I am not being cynical. Just pointing how things are running. It is vastly different to read media and make a judgement than to actually face it.

drb2011;456646@avasanth,
Are you living in chennai by any chance? especially during that crisis? Although my previous posts sounded too cynical, I am facing too much corruption in several walks of life. However, I am cautiously accepting that there are good things as well, which made me to move to India after living in US for 2 decades. Probably atleast based on that, you can safely assume that I am not casting any aspertions just like that as I am not being cynical. Just pointing how things are running. It is vastly different to read media and make a judgement than to actually face it.

Good point drb2011...till one does not face the situation by self it's all "theoretical". ..keep up the fight man..mine starts in Blr in 2 weeks!

Movie experience:
Inorder to continue to provide theatre experience for my kid, I took her to Spiderman-3 and Madagascar-3 3D movie at Sathyam (S2) on different days and also visited PVR cinemas for Lorax.

I should definetely say - my experience was horrible!!. People behaved liked primitives. No decency at all. Many of them doesn't turn off cell phones and happily talk during movie, bring kids (babies) that are not even sure where they are (less than 3 yrs old), babies crying, people talking loudly, kids constantly yapping asking parents what's the storyline, parents describe the story loudly, many people order food items and that gets served during movie (looks like they were starving for weeks), many come late to movies (more than 1/2 hour late) and still snuggle their way to their seats, and so on.

Technically, I really did not enjoy a good 3D experience at all. Effects were good in US theatres. Something is missing. 3D glasses are being reused as well. You can smell and see oil stains from theirs. Ofcourse tons of fingerprints. Sathyam charges 20 Rs per glass (non-refundable). While PVR charges 100 Rs (but refundable). Lately PVR moved to disposable glasses at 30Rs/piece made of paper. No kids size at all.

General charges for movie ticket is 120 Rs. Sathyam theatre seems to maintain clean standards.

I took several real 3D glasses from US (Amazon purchase). Unfortunately, they don't seem to work well.

After giving a shot 3 times, and none seemed to be enjoyable, I decided to get Blu-ray and watch it in my home theatre 3D system.

Driving license:
I have been wanting to update my DL experience. Finally got time to talk about it. Few weeks ago, I got my car DL. I had to go through normal route in getting DL. My US DL was of no use in this particular RTO. Applied for Learner's with a driving school. Waited for 30 days and then took driving test. RTO inspector, just asked me to drive straight and park using my car. I was the only one to take my car. While all others were using driving school's car. RTO inspector got into that car and tested each driver. It looked simple process. However, I had to wait for 3 hours in the hot sun for arrival of inspector. Later that evening got the DL. A huge relief.

Total cost: 1600 Rs for driving school (just to get license and no teaching involved) + 350 Rs for affidavit as I did not have address proof + 30 Rs for secretary (gift?) for jotting down names.

Actual cost for Learner's license is around 60 Rs and 350 Rs for license.

It wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention about the famous '8' track for 2-wheeler license. People who were getting 2-wheeler license have to put a 8 without stopping or laying the feet on the ground. 8 track was done on middle of a road - traffic had to diverted. 2 stones were placed at end of 2 different consecutive middle broken tracks. After completion, they have to stop, lay the feet squarely on ground, and raise right hand like taking an oath. Inspector got quite mad, when people raised the hand with fingers spread - all should have been close to each other. In what way does this relate to driving? Crazy!!!. Inspector gave no respect for anyone, absolute dirt treatment. Imagine this is done after all the gifts. Thank god! my 2-wheeler was still valid and just renewed.

Corruption:
I know I keep harping about this often. But really, the more I notice, more exasperation comes. There are some forumer's who is quite die-hard love for India but really I am not sure why though. Corruption is rampant everywhere. I thought atleast education was bit decent. Even that is gone. Following Madras university scandal, Anna university has shown its ugly colors. People were allocated seats more than the allotted % in the past regime. I am sick of these reservations for everything. Overall standard has become very low from the people who ever I have interacted. I guess this is what happens if you get 50% marks and manage to get into professional or college.

Chennai corporation:
Most of the roads in Anna nagar and Mugappair are worst. I don't even see tar anymore. Just plain dirt and gravel. My brand new car got beaten and my whole riding experience in those streets have led to quite an exhaustion. Your whole body shakes and contorts with every bumps/downs. As an example, park road in Anna nagar - where Newry park towers are coming. Road is so horrible - I don't know why the properties sell in 5 and above crores. This park road has been like this for the past 3 yrs since I started observing.
Brilliant idea of installing blue corrugated boards to keep large trash bins is total failure. 1. It is so large that it occupies much of road space including any left out space for decent platforms. 2. People throw trash into those collection areas without any thought. Now the whole place is reeking with trash all over. I can't believe this idea even comes to somebody's mind.

On the whole, everywhere people run in a mad rush to gather money (mostly in a crooked way) with less regard for fellow human beings. This reminds me of the song - Manithan maarivittan, mathathil yerivittan.....by Sivaji. Apt one!.

Thanks drb2011 for keeping this updated. I am someone who is keen to r2I to Chennai, but not all parties in the family are on board for this idea. So its on hold.. When I read your posts, I understand what you're going through. Was there a particularly strong reason which made you decide and is that resolve still strong? If you don't mind, please do share.

drb - you are being way too kind. Korruption is extremely rampant here, in every sphere of life. The country moves on korruption as a parallel economy.

As for the bins problem, its digusting, very disgusting. But I can only blame the stupid mentality of the people for this. Just because the korporation placed big amalgamation bins, people started "throwing" trash "around" the bin instead of INTO the bin. The idiotic mentality of the people - its so difficult to change. I live in a good posh area and the Taj-Mahal backyard like trash-spread is a huge eyesore. It leaves me very frustrated at the mentality of the humanity of the society.

moneyIsNot_funny;466810drb - you are being way too kind. Korruption is extremely rampant here, in every sphere of life. The country moves on korruption as a parallel economy.

As for the bins problem, its digusting, very disgusting. But I can only blame the stupid mentality of the people for this. Just because the korporation placed big amalgamation bins, people started "throwing" trash "around" the bin instead of INTO the bin. The idiotic mentality of the people - its so difficult to change. I live in a good posh area and the Taj-Mahal backyard like trash-spread is a huge eyesore. It leaves me very frustrated at the mentality of the humanity of the society.

MINF and drb2011 - any thoughts around R2a?

MINF - Generally concept of hygiene is extremely poor among majority of Indians. On

top of this, introducing this concept of corrugated trash areas is wastage of

resources and totally impractical. The other day, I saw a staff in HSB, Anna nagar helping himself with a melon piece from salad bar with his bare hands. First piece didn't suit him for some reason, so he dropped it into the container and got another one. I felt nauseated eventhough I was eating chola batura. While exiting, I complained to Asst manager amidst resistance from my wife. This is not the chennai I saw 2 decades ago.

Even if you are damn rich, you have to travel through potholes and see trash and stuff. Is this worth? Confused!

Oasis & Sri,
I was a University prof in US. Decided to quit as I wanted to get into a calm and spiritual life. At the same time, wanted to raise my kid in India as I didn't wanted them to get exposed to 'subtle' racism which I went through several years ago. No matter how much ever one shows his GC or citizenship, subjectively, I felt that we were 2nd/3rd grade citizens. Felt like 'untouchables' in theme parks etc.

More importantly, I made a mistake of not teaching my mother tongue, if I don't get my kid back to India at this young age, it will be very difficult to adapt when they are teenagers. It will be a torture for them. They will also be very confused because they are not pure americans nor indians. Guess that's why we call them ABCD (America born confused Desi). After weighing in pros and cons and multiple visits to India, decided to give it a shot. Its been 7 months since I moved back. I always have the option of heading back to US if things become miserable. So far - it is getting close!.

Generally, it is the attitude of the people that I am finding hard to cope up with. No ethical behaviour on any aspect. Only aim is to get the money from my pocket to their side. The other day I bought 1 kg of Guava from a roadside stall, a little kid who managed the stall sold it to me for 50 Rs/kg. I didn't bargain and went on to buy, thinking I am helping the kid as he is not in school or something. A day later, when my wife was in Reliance store, she told me that the guava has been selling for 24 Rs/kg. This is India! Nowadays I am afraid to even help someone in need - getting difficult to distinguish whether they are acting or not.

No wonder, the politicians swindle all the money from these people. Ironically, I see this as a punishment for public for the way they behave. Unfortunately, amidst this, the innocent and genuine people get punished as well.

Feet:
There are many factors for cracked heel/fissures. Major reasons are weight, age, hard floors and lack of moisture. I never developed cracked heels in US. Strangely when one of my heel started to show little sign, I got worried. Unlike in US where floors were carpeted, walking on marble floors is tough. Hence I wear soft sandals all time. Inspite of this I developed thin hairline fissure. Luckily, I started using Dr. Scholl's heel repair cream and Krack cream together. It stopped right
away. I am applying regularly to prevent. Generally, your soles are becoming rough and hard. Always, dark dirt stains. No matter how much the house is cleaned thoroughly, I still find my sole is dark. So constantly wash.

Thanks drb for taking time to respond.

drb2011;466940 No matter how much ever one shows his GC or citizenship, subjectively, I felt that we were 2nd/3rd grade citizens. Felt like 'untouchables' in theme parks etc.

i have thought about this as well, but where i live this is not an issue.the argument i get from my spouse against r2i is this:
"If that ever becomes an issue(being treated as 2nd grade citizens, better to go through that in a foreign land than your own." This is due to the fact that we have first hand experience of being victims, due to reservation(quota)system at every level. So the argument is if one is going to be treated as forget 2nd the last grade citizen in your own country of birth, why not atleast enjoy the materialistic comforts of your adopted country and risk the chance of being treated as one?

I still want to relocate, mainly because i feel that i will be able to lead a more spiritually satisfying peaceful life there. cant think of making any rational arguments to support my side. Since you mentioned that your purpose was along the same lines as well (calm, spiritual), curious to see if you find r2i satisfying in that arena.

SSri;466976Thanks drb for taking time to respond.
i have thought about this as well, but where i live this is not an issue.the argument i get from my spouse against r2i is this:
"If that ever becomes an issue(being treated as 2nd grade citizens, better to go through that in a foreign land than your own." This is due to the fact that we have first hand experience of being victims, due to reservation(quota)system at every level. So the argument is if one is going to be treated as forget 2nd the last grade citizen in your own country of birth, why not atleast enjoy the materialistic comforts of your adopted country and risk the change of being treated as one?

Getting to being a 2nd class citizen in USA or wherever comes about through a cycle of self-fulfilling actions and ideas. However, USA does offer the opportunity for one to hold whatever opinions and exercise their freedoms and go on to pursue their brand of happiness. You are a lucky person to be blessed with an astute spouse. Congratulations !!

SSri;466976I still want to relocate, mainly because i feel that i will be able to lead a more spiritually satisfying peaceful life there. cant think of making any rational arguments to support my side. Since you mentioned that your purpose was along the same lines as well (calm, spiritual), curious to see if you find r2i satisfying in that arena.

I am struck by that phrase "a more spiritually satisfying peaceful life". Reminds me of Malgudi, a place just like where I live, Lake Woebegone. And by the way, when folks want Malgudi, but move to Madras, but expect the same level of charm, peace and quiet as Malgudi, they are bound to be disappointed.

Summer is good in Lake Woebegone. Come and visit !