Since I relocated back to India, a decade ago, and unlike others - ended up actually staying in India all along (not returned back in 2-3 yrs as it happens to almost all of reverse-migrants), I am a popular subject when I go to USA for a short business visit.
However, all along the excitement to talk to me among the fellow country men in the Bay Area tech sector has been primarily fueled by one factor -
Perception on a responsibility of title growth that is faster in India within the same company. Clearly in most of their mind, I have DONE at least one thing right to be perceived as some one growing, and that being "relocating to India". To make it more convincing, I always second that convincingly - "You know what ? I was there at the right time in the right place" ! Which is TRUE, may not be COMPLETE.
But, then quickly the excitement and idea of coming back to India, to try the hands at professional growth, vanishes through a 15 min conversation. "Traffic is horrible. No sense of civility as people defecate/urinate in the public. No bribe no work" etc.
The myriad concerns of the American Desi !!!
However, last week when I was there, and as usual a lot of people stopped by to talk. "how is India ?"
But this time there was a new concern ! Everyone asking the same thing. "I hear kids going to school are being raped by their teachers!" How can you live in that country ?
All other concerns have taken a back seat ! Its "rape" that has gone to the top of the list. This concern has been expressed in front of me so many times, that it has started influencing my verbiage.
However, all along the excitement to talk to me among the fellow country men in the Bay Area tech sector has been primarily fueled by one factor -
Perception on a responsibility of title growth that is faster in India within the same company. Clearly in most of their mind, I have DONE at least one thing right to be perceived as some one growing, and that being "relocating to India". To make it more convincing, I always second that convincingly - "You know what ? I was there at the right time in the right place" ! Which is TRUE, may not be COMPLETE.
But, then quickly the excitement and idea of coming back to India, to try the hands at professional growth, vanishes through a 15 min conversation. "Traffic is horrible. No sense of civility as people defecate/urinate in the public. No bribe no work" etc.
The myriad concerns of the American Desi !!!
However, last week when I was there, and as usual a lot of people stopped by to talk. "how is India ?"
But this time there was a new concern ! Everyone asking the same thing. "I hear kids going to school are being raped by their teachers!" How can you live in that country ?
All other concerns have taken a back seat ! Its "rape" that has gone to the top of the list. This concern has been expressed in front of me so many times, that it has started influencing my verbiage.
Posts
1 comment:
Agree!!
I too heard once such comment from cousin asking, whether it is safe to return? I told him not to return but also questioned, if he would do something for his niece and young cousin sisters in India.
This statement was after I controlled myself to ask back, i heard children are shot with guns in US!!!
Post a Comment