Thoughts after recent visit to India

[ukindian]

Hi Friends

I am planning R2I after 4 years, & have been keeping myself focussed. I visited India last month & returned last week. So just wanted to share few daily life facts which has forced me to re-think on my R2I plans:

Place I went: Delhi

1. Went to State bank of India's branch in Delhi to sort out some bank related issue. The bank was crowded like anything. There must have been 60-70 people at the same time. Maximum people were from village side, it was a hot day, people were sweating all round, the gaurd was trying to keep all of them into one line, but no one was listening. Some people were breaking the line & directly going to the window. Some senior citizens were asking if there is a separate line for them, but the obvious answer was no. In short, it took me around 2 hours to get a simple work done.

2. I met a lot of my old friends, met the old shopkeepers where I used to go when I was a child (during school days). All of them had the same thinking and told me "There is nothing in India. People are corrupt, things are expensive now. You are lucky you are in UK".

3. There are still no rules and regulations on Delhi roads. People were driving as mad, & specially when it is hot, you couldn't even go out on a bike, if you have a car, you are lucky.

4. I met a lot of children of my relatives who were in 9th & 10th standard. They were all asking me about UK and America. They were saying that they see a lot of hollywood films. The point I am trying to say here is that all of them were saying that they want to go to America.



These are few points which I actually felt, there are a lot other points which you can feel all the time when you are in India. So what do you guys think, practically will we be ever able to adapt the life back in India after living in US or UK for many years?

Regards

[sansar11]

It is not going to be easy to adapt to life in India after spending many years in US/UK. I have returned to India after 15 years in US around 6 weeks back. And I see many such people around me. It is very early for me to comment much, but so far I am not finding it much different from what I had anticipated. The fact is one has to thoroughly research on all things before coming, weigh the pros and cons, take into account factors/changes one has to go through after r2ing. Even after all this, there will be things which have not been anticipated. So Mainly one needs to set priorities right, a strong desire to r2i to adapt. As for kids, people in India, I have not seen many even aspiring to go to the US if they have a chance. And when asked others who have returned before me, they say it takes time to adjust and some things are harder but then things like family make up for it. So it really depends on the person and his/her priorities in life.

Coming back to your question, yes it is practically possible to adapt here after living abroad, but you need to be prepared and work towards it. The scene you stated about in the bank, I haven't seen that here, don't go by that, things are much better in banks now, might differ from place to place.

[okonomi]

....These are few points which I actually felt, there are a lot other points which you can feel all the time when you are in India. So what do you guys think, practically will we be ever able to adapt the life back in India after living in US or UK for many years? ...

able to adapt ? Yes; people are able to adapt. There are many diaries on this forum.
want to adapt ? is a different matter. Focus on that point.
need to adapt ? is yet another point. You may feel this one, if you do not have any other option.

[LotsOfRokda]

You are not yet ready- just my opinion. You seem to be shocked by basic things. If you R2I now, you will always be questioning your decision when 99% of the people you meet will look at you as if you were out of your mind to return. You either have to start making longer trips to get used to the reality or wait till your desire becomes strong enough to overcome all the doubts you have and start seeing the positives.

Good luck!

[vsri]

Hi Friends

Place I went: Delhi

1. Went to State bank of India's branch in Delhi to sort out some bank related issue. The bank was crowded like anything. There must have been 60-70 people at the same time. Maximum people were from village side, it was a hot day, people were sweating all round, the gaurd was trying to keep all of them into one line, but no one was listening. Some people were breaking the line & directly going to the window. Some senior citizens were asking if there is a separate line for them, but the obvious answer was no. In short, it took me around 2 hours to get a simple work done.

2. I met a lot of my old friends, met the old shopkeepers where I used to go when I was a child (during school days). All of them had the same thinking and told me "There is nothing in India. People are corrupt, things are expensive now. You are lucky you are in UK".

3. There are still no rules and regulations on Delhi roads. People were driving as mad, & specially when it is hot, you couldn't even go out on a bike, if you have a car, you are lucky.

4. I met a lot of children of my relatives who were in 9th & 10th standard. They were all asking me about UK and America. They were saying that they see a lot of hollywood films. The point I am trying to say here is that all of them were saying that they want to go to America.


These are few points which I actually felt, there are a lot other points which you can feel all the time when you are in India. So what do you guys think, practically will we be ever able to adapt the life back in India after living in US or UK for many years?

Regards

Actually everything has changed. We can do banking online, mobile, .. There are plenty of ATMs. Yes for some cases we have to stand in queue. It depends on how frequent you have to. First time I went to bank to cash travelers check and it took me more than an hour. Because they had new system and they were learning and later I found a better place (forex broker shop) and he took just 5 min. You need to find a right place to get work done.

Yes there is a corruption in India. It is every where. It is in US to we do not see it. It happens at different level. Good thing is we do not face it every day directly.
Think of Madoff, enron, mci what they did to the people. Think of mortgage issues in US. Yes this had big on impact on all of us. We ignore it.

I agree traffic here is smooth and it is not perfect here too. There are people break rules but few.

We grew up their and it was much bad then and now it is much better. Atleast I see good roads, good cars, nice restaurants, tv, ... .also there is money. And good environment for kids. Most important of all of them is family.

[okemos]

Hi Friends

I am planning R2I after 4 years, & have been keeping myself focussed. I visited India last month & returned last week. So just wanted to share few daily life facts which has forced me to re-think on my R2I plans:

Place I went: Delhi

1. Went to State bank of India's branch in Delhi to sort out some bank related issue. The bank was crowded like anything. There must have been 60-70 people at the same time. Maximum people were from village side, it was a hot day, people were sweating all round, the gaurd was trying to keep all of them into one line, but no one was listening. Some people were breaking the line & directly going to the window. Some senior citizens were asking if there is a separate line for them, but the obvious answer was no. In short, it took me around 2 hours to get a simple work done.

2. I met a lot of my old friends, met the old shopkeepers where I used to go when I was a child (during school days). All of them had the same thinking and told me "There is nothing in India. People are corrupt, things are expensive now. You are lucky you are in UK".

3. There are still no rules and regulations on Delhi roads. People were driving as mad, & specially when it is hot, you couldn't even go out on a bike, if you have a car, you are lucky.

4. I met a lot of children of my relatives who were in 9th & 10th standard. They were all asking me about UK and America. They were saying that they see a lot of hollywood films. The point I am trying to say here is that all of them were saying that they want to go to America.

These are few points which I actually felt, there are a lot other points which you can feel all the time when you are in India. So what do you guys think, practically will we be ever able to adapt the life back in India after living in US or UK for many years?

Regards

These are the same bunch of people who wants to move to US or UK now, will become potential "R2I'ers" after spending 10 to 15 years in those countries. We were like these kids some 10 to 15 years back when we were in India.

So instead of comparing your "R2I" decision based on aspiring young kids who wants to move to western world, start comparing your thoughts with those who are already moved to India or who are contemplating to do so.

[goodtobeback]

1. Went to State bank of India's branch in Delhi to sort out some bank related issue. The bank was crowded like anything. There must have been 60-70 people at the same time. Maximum people were from village side, it was a hot day, ......

I go to my bank in Bangalore and I can go directly to Manager's office and he will get my business done while offering me a coffee :) Cant really expect that here in US

2. I met a lot of my old friends, met the old shopkeepers where I used to go when I was a child (during school days). All of them had the same thinking and told me "There is nothing in India. People are corrupt, things are expensive now. You are lucky you are in UK".

People always believe Grass is always greener on the other side. We who are on the other side truly know which is which

3. There are still no rules and regulations on Delhi roads. People were driving as mad, & specially when it is hot, you couldn't even go out on a bike, if you have a car, you are lucky.

Agreed. However I spend an hour to commute 20 miles here in DC metro which is not all that better either.

4. I met a lot of children of my relatives who were in 9th & 10th standard. They were all asking me about UK and America. They were saying that they see a lot of hollywood films. The point I am trying to say here is that all of them were saying that they want to go to America.

One can thank America's biggest export for this i.e Hollywood/Western Culture. However I am pretty sure that if you ask the same question to them when they are older and have graduated at least half of them will reverse their position.

[Tsozum]

There must have been 60-70 people at the same time... sweating all round.... no one was listening... breaking the line & directly going to the window... separate line for them, ...took me around 2 hours to get a simple work done.
... no rules and regulations on ... roads.... driving as mad...
Regards

I moved back a year ago after 12 years in the US. Life in India, has become more tougher than what I used to remember (or at least as my father puts it)

Unless some one has really really strong reason to be India (read Career, Family or combinations of such factors) it is better not to move. Obviously, one cannot move to India for the urban scenery or quality of life or infrastructure or government efficiency or for the strong value system (spiritual etc).... These things are *generally speaking* non-existent but life somehow goes on here. To my surprise I find that even the spirituality driven values are fading away among the next-gens.

IMHO, the worst case scenario is to be physically present in India while longing for the comforts of the US/UK and always drawing towards a compare/contrast type of thinking (even then life goes on :) but could be bit stressful at times)

Personally, I keep contemplating about my R2A. However I want to give bit more time in India to ensure that I am doing the right thing for myself & family.

[dcnri2india]

My experiences/Observation:

1) I went to a water park and spent 30 min to 1 hour in line to get on rides. It was tiring, people were sweating and all I could see was a mass of humanity (mostly Caucasian with sprinkling of orientals, south east Asians and African Americans.

3) Every NRI (Indian citizen or USC) I meet is cribbing about education cost, 401K or politics in Office.

My point is, If you go looking for issues you will find them.
Material Life in INDIA is harder than most western country for an average professional. It is a fact.
If you accept it then you try to improve what is under your control.

1) For bank use online banking or switch to a private bank that will assign a "rep" just for you.
2) There are more people in INDIA so not much can be done about crowd. My recommendation enjoy fellow Indians company. A village person in bank is a good thing. He has worked hard and is trying to put his meager saving in bank account. It is the suited booted robbers that you need to be vary about.
3) Driving ---- hire a driver or buy a bigger car/SUV and reacquaint your self with some choice phrases. It is such a stress buster. OHHHH and unshackle the bird finger.
4) Kids/relative wanting to go to America is a good thing. They will work hard, after the Initial shock when they land here and get education and be productive.

Cheers

[Imissindia]

I moved back a year ago after 12 years in the US. Life in India, has become more tougher than what I used to remember (or at least as my father puts it)

Unless some one has really really strong reason to be India (read Career, Family or combinations of such factors) it is better not to move. Obviously, one cannot move to India for the urban scenery or quality of life or infrastructure or government efficiency or for the strong value system (spiritual etc).... These things are *generally speaking* non-existent but life somehow goes on here. To my surprise I find that even the spirituality driven values are fading away among the next-gens.

IMHO, the worst case scenario is to be physically present in India while longing for the comforts of the US/UK and always drawing towards a compare/contrast type of thinking (even then life goes on :) but could be bit stressful at times)

Personally, I keep contemplating about my R2A. However I want to give bit more time in India to ensure that I am doing the right thing for myself & family.

while your post is correct in many ways, I find that there a lot of interesting and modern urban infrastructure facilities that have recently come up or are in the works in India. For example the airport in Delhi is one of the best in the world. Delhi Metro is far better than anything you'll find in the US or UK. Similarly, one can enjoy a walk along the Marine Drive or a visit to the newly renovated Connaught Place in Delhi is always a lot of fun. Although everything in India is not yet up to Western standards, you will find plenty of new and exciting as well as old and classic urban landscapes.