Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Reverse migrationback to INDIA - Is it really happening?
Some of the common questions that pop up often between two Indian's conversation who live/work in US are
1). Do you have Green Card?
2). If Yes, then Are you a US citizen?
3). If Yes, then the final statement (You can sense a question behind the statement) would be, "I guess you are going to settle here".
Irrespective of the intent of the question, 99% of people would answer that "They don't want to be in US permanently and have plans to go back to INDIA in next couple of years".
I have been in US for 16 years and I heard the same questions and similar answers million times. The common thing in last 20 years answers is "INTENT TO GO BACK TO INDIA". Many conclude that everyone will say that they want to go back to INDIA and it will never happen.
Why do you think people are not able to decide on moving back to INDIA? I would rather question "Why many fail to move back to INDIA when their intent is not to settle in US". Here are some of the reasons that I can think of and would request others to add if I miss any.
Batchelor - Most of the people come here with two or three years of IT/Medical/Management experience. When they come to US, their primary goal would be to earn money. (Most are batchelors). If you ask a batchelor at that time about his plans to settle to US, the answer would be a strong NO. (The decision is linked with one individuals choice). The intent of batchelor at that time would be to earn good for next 5 years and gain good exposure to better life. Not to forget, the savings seem to be good at this stage. Tend to visit India every year.
After Marriage -
All the batchelor Savings are spent on Marriage and Honey moon. Income might have increased another 5 to 10 percent (Ofcouse if there is no Recession). But costs double. Move from Shared room to Independent house, and fulfilling both your dream and your spouse dream. All of a sudden the savings seem to diminishing and India trips are procrastinate to two to three years. The intent of stay exends another 3 to 5 years to have kids in US (Kids born in US gets US citizenship).
After Having kids; - Even though the initial intent of 5 years is over, the goal of US stay estends another 5 more years because they want to have second kid in US again to make sure that both kids are given equal opportunity. Parents/in laws visit on 6 months visa to support the family during this stage. Savings and bank balance seem to be diminishing further.
Kids Studies: Cost of day care/ pre school added to the monthly cost. Getting admissions in the best schools. Admit kids in Swimming, Skating, Basketball, Soccar and Karate. Additional callses like KUMON and ALOHA adds more cost and takes lot of time away. If only one parent is working, I doubt whther there would be any thought of savings. At this time they want to go back to INDIA and realize that they neither had good savings to back to INDIA and the most surprising thing to know is the cost to get the schooling India is much more expensive than getting in US or anywhere in the world. Since the studies in US till 12th standard is free for most of the public and charter school, they decide to stay in US till their schooling.
Kids College: At this point of time it is too late to go back to INDIA because Kids won't be coming with you back and in most cases you have already lost lot of loved ones in INDIA.
The intent is not to scare you with lot of -ve things. There is NO best time to go back to INDIA and also there is not need to go back to INDIA if you feel your family is happy to be in US. It is very difficult to adjust in INDIA after spending considerable amount of time in US. But you also need to look at the positives that you get in INDIA. You need to follow your dream and in that process be ready to face any hurdles on the way. It may seem very simple move, but ultimately reverse migration to INDIA is the biggest decision of your life and there is no quick fix for this problem.
--
1). Do you have Green Card?
2). If Yes, then Are you a US citizen?
3). If Yes, then the final statement (You can sense a question behind the statement) would be, "I guess you are going to settle here".
Irrespective of the intent of the question, 99% of people would answer that "They don't want to be in US permanently and have plans to go back to INDIA in next couple of years".
I have been in US for 16 years and I heard the same questions and similar answers million times. The common thing in last 20 years answers is "INTENT TO GO BACK TO INDIA". Many conclude that everyone will say that they want to go back to INDIA and it will never happen.
Why do you think people are not able to decide on moving back to INDIA? I would rather question "Why many fail to move back to INDIA when their intent is not to settle in US". Here are some of the reasons that I can think of and would request others to add if I miss any.
Batchelor - Most of the people come here with two or three years of IT/Medical/Management experience. When they come to US, their primary goal would be to earn money. (Most are batchelors). If you ask a batchelor at that time about his plans to settle to US, the answer would be a strong NO. (The decision is linked with one individuals choice). The intent of batchelor at that time would be to earn good for next 5 years and gain good exposure to better life. Not to forget, the savings seem to be good at this stage. Tend to visit India every year.
After Marriage -
All the batchelor Savings are spent on Marriage and Honey moon. Income might have increased another 5 to 10 percent (Ofcouse if there is no Recession). But costs double. Move from Shared room to Independent house, and fulfilling both your dream and your spouse dream. All of a sudden the savings seem to diminishing and India trips are procrastinate to two to three years. The intent of stay exends another 3 to 5 years to have kids in US (Kids born in US gets US citizenship).
After Having kids; - Even though the initial intent of 5 years is over, the goal of US stay estends another 5 more years because they want to have second kid in US again to make sure that both kids are given equal opportunity. Parents/in laws visit on 6 months visa to support the family during this stage. Savings and bank balance seem to be diminishing further.
Kids Studies: Cost of day care/ pre school added to the monthly cost. Getting admissions in the best schools. Admit kids in Swimming, Skating, Basketball, Soccar and Karate. Additional callses like KUMON and ALOHA adds more cost and takes lot of time away. If only one parent is working, I doubt whther there would be any thought of savings. At this time they want to go back to INDIA and realize that they neither had good savings to back to INDIA and the most surprising thing to know is the cost to get the schooling India is much more expensive than getting in US or anywhere in the world. Since the studies in US till 12th standard is free for most of the public and charter school, they decide to stay in US till their schooling.
Kids College: At this point of time it is too late to go back to INDIA because Kids won't be coming with you back and in most cases you have already lost lot of loved ones in INDIA.
The intent is not to scare you with lot of -ve things. There is NO best time to go back to INDIA and also there is not need to go back to INDIA if you feel your family is happy to be in US. It is very difficult to adjust in INDIA after spending considerable amount of time in US. But you also need to look at the positives that you get in INDIA. You need to follow your dream and in that process be ready to face any hurdles on the way. It may seem very simple move, but ultimately reverse migration to INDIA is the biggest decision of your life and there is no quick fix for this problem.
--
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sweet memories - Narsapure College visit on March 21st
Had gone to INDIA on March 15th to attend father's first year anniversary on March 20th. My college best friend Prakash came to Kankipadu on 21st morning from Hyderabad and together we left to Bhimavaram to meet another close friend Chittibabu. Spent some quality time at Chitti's paper factory in Bhimavaram and left to Narsapur. Has met MBA lecturers Partha Saradhi garu and Venkateswararao garu and several others. In the mean time, I was told that Secretary and Correspondent Chinamili Satyanarayanagaru wanted to see me. He was busy in a meeting at a private charity event and spared some time to meet me though it was a unexpected visit. Felt very happy to see him and touched his feet as soon as I met him to show my respect for such a dynamic and great personality. (I never touched anyone's feet till now and I am surprised myself with that immediate instant reaction of mine). Then I realized how much affection and care he took when we were studying in the college. Spent some quality 30 minutes with him and left Narsapur in next couple of hours. Also met local ex minister Kothapalli Subbarayudu and also his brother Janaki. Spent around 3 plus quality hours in the college and the time flew like hardly 30 minutes. One should never miss an opportunity to visit our lecturers and professors and also should not forget to create path for next batches. Sweet memories reeling behind the thoughts for the next few days and no one should trade the college days with any thing else.
CHAK DE INDIA - WORLD CHAMPIOINS 2011 - MEN IN BLUE
It’s been already 48 hours (April 03rd) and never felt so happy and lucky like watching/enjoying each and every moment of world cup and finally the “dream come true” match winning performance against Pakistan in semi finals and Finals against Srilanka. The entire nation prayed and hoped that India team will win the cup for Sachin and finally it happened in a most exciting and dramatic way. Though it is good feel to have that Sachin is a world champion at least once in his 20 + year long career, to me Sachin is beyond any awards and recognition and no matter whether he wins world cup or not, he is always remembered as all time greats in the history of Cricket. This current star studded Indian team is very capable of winning against any team in the world. The unity and motivation factor to win the world cup for Sachin might have made even undisciplined Yuvi to bring best of his life time series at right time. Zaheer failed in 2003 world cup against OZ and consumed 100+ run in 10 overs and after 8 years he emerged as best bowler of the tournament with 21 wickets matching Afridi. There were several debates on who did well and everyone is trying to justify their story of their favorite player. This is what my take about this winning team. Sachin was given an opportunity to lead the Indian team again after Ganguly, Dravid failed. It was Sachin who recommended Dhoni to be the captain and backed him completely. It was Sachin who has been supporting Gary Kirsten since day one. He is the highest scorer in INDIAN dressing room (just 20 odd runs behind Dilshan for the tournament) and Tendulkar’s dive to stop the four in finals shows his commitment. No one can undermine or doubt Sachin’s on and off court support to Dhoni, Kirsten and other team members. Yuvi’s all round performance coupled with Zaheer’s killer bowling helped us to reach the finals. When Veeru and 10dulkar got out early in the finals, it was Gambhir and Virat who brought the game back to normal. I truly believe Virat will be future captain of INDIA after Dhoni. I am surprised to see everyone is talking about Sreesanth being lucky for Dhoni to win the finals. But I feel Virat Kohli is the lucky chap in the team because he won under 19 as captain, India won T20 in his first appearance and also won World cup in Virat’s first appearance. Gambhir’s 97 was crucial for winning world cup who missed his man of the match for not being able to stay till the end. Dhoni and Yuvi completed the show with grace. It was Sachin, Yuvi, Zaheer, Gambhir, Virat and Dhoni who helped us to win the world cup, this is how people are talking today. No one can undermine the contributions of Bajji, Ashwin, Nehra, Munaf and others. We won the world cup because of team play rather than any individual and unless the concept of team play continues and prevails, we may not repeat this feat again. Good luck India and Chak De INDIA.
“Cricket and Cinema are the only religions in INDIA/Pakistan and why to fight for anything else”
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