You’ve been abroad, tasted the ‘freedom’ of a foreign land, perhaps endured a few snide remarks about your accent, and you’re now wondering: “Do people actually move back to India?
Am I the odd one out for contemplating it?”
We’ve all been there, pondering if India is still home or if the world is just a large playground.
In this article...
The Great “Return Home” Phenomenon
Historically, us Indians have had this homing pigeon tendency.
Remember that uncle who went to the US in the ’90s, made a decent fortune, and then dramatically returned home, telling tales of the ‘far-off western land’? There’s a new generation of such ‘returnees’, and they’re coming in droves!
Let’s Talk Numbers, Shall We?
According to that overly serious Times of India article, from 2010 to 2015, a whopping 500,000 U.S.-based Indian-born folks packed their bags and flew eastwards.
And, if the Ministry of External Affairs is to be believed (trust me, it’s a credible source), about 30% of the janta in the UAE are riding camels back to India post-retirement.
Reasons Galore!
So, what’s pulling them back? Memories of mom’s rajma-chawal?
Or is it the allure of a Bollywood-style rain dance?
- The Alluring Indian Economy: No kidding! India’s buzzing with action. If you’ve got the skills, there’s a startup ready to throw wads of cash at you.
- Emotional GPS: No matter how much you roam, the heart does beat for that desi gully cricket and Diwali firecrackers.
- Living it Up, Desi Style: With India’s emerging luxury apartments and malls, you don’t really miss the ‘foreign touch’.
But Then, The Plot Twist…
While many NRIs embrace the chaos and cacophony, a few jet-set back. Why?
- The evergreen “This is not how it works in America” frustration.
- Adjusting to the warmth (read: intrusion) of Indian relatives.
- Re-learning that cows have the right of way on Indian roads.
What’s the Future, Pandit Ji?
While I can’t predict next week’s lottery numbers, the UN’s International Migration Report says the reverse migration scene is quite the trend.
What with work-from-anywhere now, who knows?
In Conclusion: To Return or Not?
For all its dust and drama, India does have a magnetic charm. And if you’ve ever craved for spicy pani-puris at 3 AM, you know where your heart lies!
FAQs – Because You Ask, We Tell!
Q1: Retirement = Return to India?
A1: Not quite. While many NRIs like the idea of retiring amidst the familiarity of India, some have planted roots too deep to be uprooted abroad.
Q2: Did COVID change the NRI game?
A2: Oh, absolutely! Job losses and homesickness saw a lot of NRIs boarding the repatriation flights, courtesy of the Vande Bharat Mission.
Q3: Any preferred landing spots in India for these returnees?
A3: The usual suspects – Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Because where else can you get idli, vada pav, chole bhature, and biryani in one nation?
Q4: Any perks for the prodigal sons and daughters returning?
A4: The Indian government loves its returning children. Check out the MEA’s NRI services portal for all the bells and whistles.
Q5: How long does the average NRI stay out?
A5: Longer than a Shah Rukh Khan movie, but usually shorter than an Indian wedding. Jokes aside, many stay out for a decade or more.
Cheers to the brave NRIs out there!
Whether you stay put or return, remember – every Indian heart beats in the rhythm of a Bollywood tune.
Dance on! 🕺🎶