In terms of the job situation, the job market in India is really picking up. There is for sure; no doubts about that. However, I think the most important problem comes when you have to deal with the basic necessities of life. Electricity,water and roads are still a problem there. You would agree with me that they have improved but still lot needs to be done.

As I have lived for almost 5 years, these basic necessities seem to be a part of life.

However, it is a balance between the choice of family and the materialistic gains that we get by living abroad.

Nice to read the article and I feel a piece of mind. I have been in the US for the past 4 yrs working on H1B visa for the past 2 yrs got MSEE and married last year. US is going through a lot of recession and nobody seems to care about us here(being immigrants). I am fighting everyday counting pennies buying groceries, checking each bill if its typed properly of not, anything more than 20$ for grocery seems so high. My wife sits at home she cant find a job. She tried hard but nothing worked out. We are trying for her Masters degree but she really does not want to do that. She had a nice job before and she wants to support her family who needs some support from her. You know in Indian tradition the boy’s cannot give his wife’s parents any money or support, I mean its in appropriate. Ever since I graduated my debt for some 5000$ has just not got of me. I am fighting so hard trying to cut down on everything but nothing is working.

Quite often I come home and see my wife sad and missing home. I am the only boy child. All sisters are married. Its pretty hard to live like this and I have been living like this for a long time now. Almost 2 yrs.

Its not that I like US or India or anything like that. I have stayed here and learned what I wanted to. I can go further, but looks like I might sacrifice my family life. It really pains when I hear that my mother cant walk properly and has pain in the leg and father takes care of everything.

I am not sure how many of you love your family but this situation may be for some of you.

There is no best place to be. There are positive things of being in US and negative too. People carry guns here and drive so fast you never know when you may die. If you fall sick the medical expense for even a single day in the hospital can be 7500$. I am already in debt. How can i fight this?

I think if I go to India and not dream too big just get a simple job with my wife working my parents with me and my sisters all can meet me more often; If I stay in a not so big apt may be just 2 bedroom kitchen, vacations can be just going to a waterfall or a hike to a local mountain. I don’t want to travel in plane or AC train. I can go in sleeper and sit on the door edge and see the outside world. That’s my India. I miss it a lot when times are tough.

Tomorrow anything happens here no one will give me money or support to do anything. I cant change jobs most people don’t like people on visa. If I get fired I am on my own I cant stay for 15 more days. Life is pretty hard here.

Think about it.

I am “paying back” as best as I can right here in the US by playing an integral part in American society. I have been successful in being a worthy ‘cultural ambassador’ from India as has been remarked. I think that everyday Indians here in the US can make a big mark in society here (more than we already are doing). This will help bridge gaps if any in American understanding of India. Not saying that this will help the development of India overnight, but it is an attempt.

Thanks for capturing your experience. It really helps anyone planning to go back.

We have recently launched a social network IMRTI http://imrti.com for people thinking about going back to India and for thos who have recently returned. Would you be interested in sharing your story with our mebers? Do let me know.

Thanks

U cant generalize the decision on shiting back to India, everyone has different priorities and he lives accordingly, well I personally feel, life in US is good and no one to disturb u for anything.

cheers
alok.

Right now I don’t have the balls to make the decision because wife does not want to but I think over time I can convince her. we’ll see