Calling Puneites - Past, Present and Future

[r2i_puneite]

Hello Friends,

Imho, one of the most important factors in a successful r2i is going to be the initial phase of the move. How we handle our initial reactions, first impressions and what support system we have in place will go a long way in determining how quickly we adapt and settle down. Even after settling down, a good social life will be key to our happiness there. I am sure most of us have family and old friends there, but one of my biggest fears about moving back is the passage of time. In my case, its been 10+ years since I moved out of Pune to the US. While I have maintained touch with most of my good friends and close relatives, how much has the past 10 years of living outside India changed me ? Will the once strong and close bonds withstand the test of time ?

With that in mind, maybe its time to forge new friendships with like minded folks (while still preserving and cherishing old friendships, of course). Maybe its this new group of friends who can understand the challenges of a move back and can relate to it better. I am sure we can all learn from the ones who came before us, and can assist the ones who will be following us.

Having said that, here is a shout out to all my fellow Return-2-Puneites. How about setting up a smaller community within this larger community and trying to get to know one another ? It could start out as simple as an email distribution list, grow to a conference call and who knows, maybe even have a get-together (like the ones organized by the bay area folks, etc).

If you have already moved to Pune, or are planning a move to Pune, and think this is a good idea, kindly reply to this post, or PM me, or email me (r2i_puneite at hotmail) and we can start communicating.

Things that we can share :

Location in India, before moving out
Current location (in US or elsewhere)
Years outside India
Target Location in Pune
R2Pune Date
Age, Marital Status, Number of Kids
Immigration Status
Email
(anything else that folks think would be useful)

Let me start with sharing my details.

Location in India, before moving out : Pune
Current location (in US or elsewhere) : Boston, USA
Years outside India : 11 years
Target Location in Pune : NIBM Road\Wanowrie
R2Pune Date : September 2007
Age, Family details, etc : 33years, Married, have a three year old boy and one more on the way
Immigration Status : USC + OCI
Email : r2i_puneite at hotmail

Good luck and look forward to getting to know fellow puneites.

[haari_mirch]

Location in India, before moving out : Many places, including Delhi
Current location (in US or elsewhere) : MI, USA
Years outside India : 10
Target Location in Pune : not sure
R2Pune Date : 2010
Age, Family details, etc : 36years, Married, have 5 year old
Immigration Status : GC, expect USC
Email : returnee2i at gma!l d0t c0m

[coolvyakti]

Location in India, before moving out : Lots of places in India and US.
Current location (in US or elsewhere) : Pune
Years outside India : 12
Target Location in Pune : already there.
Age, Family details, etc : 46years, Married, 2 kids, 11 and 8 yrs
Immigration Status : USC + OCI
Email : pgajjar at hotmail d0t c0m

The exposure of living and working outside India changes our perspective....and people in India sometimes just don't get our viewpoint, even though they have good intentions. They are too stuck with "India is not US or things just work this way' or 'don't compare India with US' etc. Not their fault, just that they haven't seen the other side.

By the above, I mean things at a very fundamental level...and not some frivilous issues e.g. why should your neighbours have a unwritten right to make noise whenever they feel like? Shouldn't we be volunteering in our kids schools? Why should people light bornfires whenever they feel like it? Why should we accept substandard infrastructure? Why should there be emphasis on rote leaning in our education system? Why should there be 3 or 4 different school boards - why can't we have just a national board?

Again I am not claiming to be smarter...just saying that our perspectives are different and it would help level set that with other people (returnees) who share that perspective.

Socializing would be fun, making new friends, create some kind of 'kit' for future returnees...make a directory so new returnees can call people and seek their advise for various things.

Beyond that I feel, we have decent numbers...and should also try and shape some of the attitudes towards various things in India, i.e. be agents for a positive change.

We can and should excercise collective bargaining power to stop builders and contractors siphoning off money by resorting to 'shady' practices....no harm in forming housing cooperatives and lay emphasis on eco friendly housing .... again not get trapped into 'India mein aisa he hota hai' attitude.

If we have the collective will we can even lobby the state Govt / pravasi diwas folks so some of our issues can be highlighted.

Well the potential is endless....lets make a start!

[r2i_puneite]

well said coolvyakti, I especially like your idea of a "Returnees Directory" - hopefully we get enough critical mass to make this happen.

[manoj12]

Location in India, before moving out NIBM/KNODHWA
Current location (in US or elsewhere).....WEST INDIES
Years outside India............................15
Target Location in Pune.........................NIBM/KHONDWA
R2Pune Date-------------------------------MARCH 2007
Age, Marital Status, Number of Kids...........33, MARRIED, 2 KIDS ONE 8 OTHER 3.

Immigration Status...........INDIAN.......
[email protected]

[nridesi]

Location in India, before moving out : Pune
Current location (in US or elsewhere) : Doha, Qatar - Toronto - Doha, Qatar
Years outside India : 17
Target Location in Pune : Kalyaninagar ( already have a bungalow)
R2Pune Date : 2009
Age, Family details, etc : 44years, Married, have 10 year old boy, 5 yr old daughter
Immigration Status : Indian, Canadian PR.
Email : [email protected]

[msmmsi]

Hi Friends,
I am new to this forum.
Here is my info:
Location before leaving India: Mumbai
Current Location: USA
How long have been here: 6 years
Planned Return Date: Not decided yet. Hoping to get help from this forum to make up mind.
Target City: If I do decide to return, Pune definitely.
Family Status: Married, a two year old son.
email: [email protected]

[eeyore]

Location in India, before moving out: Pune
Current location (in US or elsewhere): Detroit, MI
Years outside India: 19
Target Location in Pune: Not Sure
R2Pune Date : 2008 for family; 2009 for me
Age, Marital Status, Number of Kids: 41, married with 2 kids (6 and 4)
Immigration Status: USC OCI
Email: Please use PM

Born and brought up in Pune. Came to US for studies in 1988.
Family and I are taking a trip to Pune in June of this year. The plan is to look and buy a house and look at various schools. We have been making trips to India regularly (every 2 years) so we are aware of all issues/problems.

Just very apprehensive about RE prices which are in "ridiculous" zone. I wish I had a purchased a piece of land/flat 5 years back.

you live and learn...

[bshirish]

Location in India, before moving out : Multiple
Current location (in US or elsewhere) : Los Angeles, USA
Years outside India : 8 years
Target Location in Pune : Kothrud
R2Pune Date : May 2007
Age, Family details, etc : 39years, Married, 2 kids -11 & 5
Immigration Status : AOS
Email : bshirish at yahoo

[r2p2007]

Location in India, before moving out: Mumbai
Current location (in US or elsewhere): Boston, MA
Years outside India: 12 years
Target Location in Pune: Bavdhan, near Hinjewadi
R2Pune Date: end of 2007-mid 2008
Age, Marital Status, Number of Kids: 33, married, 1
Immigration Status: GC
Email: [email][email protected][/email]