Good question Ruchi.
I for one, was thinking about moving back because of two main reasons.
1. Immigration - The struggle to get in to a “green card” status or “citizenship” is way too much with very less trade offs currently. I might be skewed in thinking here but, waiting years together while living with an “alien” tag on you is kind of annoying. I’m not trying to devalue the American Dream of those who already made it. But personally, I think it is not anymore a “carrot” worth pursuing. This is my opinion and I totally understand why others would think otherwise.
2. Political -
I’ve always wanted to return to India and never wanted a complete swap. But I had imagined it perhaps several years from now. But the political updates got me thinking to fast forward it. Of course, nothing bad has happened at least officially. But I don’t feel the warmth anymore. Of course, this is purely personal. Now add to it, the activities in India, whether nascent or not, there are many updates happening politically and otherwise which in my opinion is putting out a clear message and a better future to India. I for some reason, would want to be part of it and contribute to the society in whichever insignificant way I can.
I could be wrong, but most NRIs I talk to (and it’s a very small sample size) have the dream of going back to India and doing something big investing their own talent and experience (which they’ve gathered from abroad mostly). Just that, no body was thinking hard about it until recently.
At the end of the day, when I go to bed, I feel lost. Questions pop up to which I don’t have any proper answers. Questions like…
- Do you really belong here? Are you being appreciated for being here?
- Am I being selfish for my future? If yes, what is the trade off? If not, what am I actually accomplishing? Is it worth betting my future?
- Are you chasing something that isn’t there?
- Wouldn’t you be investing your talent and experience where it will be appreciated and nurtured?
Now, one can argue that I might be going through the “grass is greener on the other side” syndrome. But no. I’m not saying that the answer to these questions is returning back to India. I know that it’s going to be a struggle back home, I know that I’ll lose my luxuries, I know that I’ll have to try hard to be appreciated.
But hey, if I have to go through struggles anyways, I’d rather do it back home where my roots are and not feel like an “alien”. I would be satisfied even when I’m not appreciated. Because, it’s my home.
I’m sure you can see the bias in my answers. But hey, I’m biased not for my selfish future, but my home and people.
