November 21st, 2005
Reverse Brain Drain
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My brother is flying back to India…for good! He’ll be quitting his job at a Fortune 500 company early next month and going back to India to explore some business ventures that he has been planning for a while. Of course, the fact that he is promised support by my uncle who has suddenly found himself among much wealth plays a big role. I have been here for more than five years and am still studying. My brother came here just two years ago, completed his Masters from Carnegie Mellon University in a year, and immediately joined a reputable company (and to think that I was considered the golden child of our household few years back). Somehow the American dream doesn’t appeal to him and he sorely misses ‘home’. Also, the fact that India is ‘shining’ quite brightly seems to appeal to his Hindustani spirit. But considering that he seems to have given this matter some thought and considers that moving back to India might be potentially irreversible, I respect his decision. I hope he finds what he is looking for back in India.
I am sure that my parents will be glad to have at least one of their sons back home. Although they always encouraged us to ‘go abroad’ and seek new experiences, they themselves couldn’t cut the umbilical cord (quite the opposite thing going on here, eh?) when we did go away.
India is built around a different cultural ethos and in spite of nuclear families abounding especially in urban India, the penchant to live in a close-knit family among friends with whom you went to school with is still strong. All I can say is that some people can easily identify and live with that while some can’t. They just need something else not necessarily better.
by Patrix | on Monday, November 21st, 2005 at 12:00 am | 
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american dream |
brain drain |
diaspora |
India |
NRI |
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urban india
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November 21st, 2005 at 1:44 am reply
considering how used one can get to the comforts in the land of plenty, it is a tough decison to go back home….
commendable.
November 21st, 2005 at 6:44 am reply
how about a compromise……..a foot in both countries…..thats what i am working on……the perfect solution…….as for my invite……..still thinking about it…….depends on how nice you are ………
and not to worry- you are the golden child…..you just plan too much i think- probably the architect in you….you have to just jump off the bridge to see the view sometimes.
November 21st, 2005 at 10:16 am reply
Actually a bunch of people seem to be coming back. Know so many who have stayed for seven and eight odd years and are moving back . Granted they look at the Bangalores of the world. But I suppose its a feasible and do-able option nowadays
November 21st, 2005 at 6:57 pm reply
Just yesterday i hosted a farewell party for a friend who is returning to india, lock stock and barrel.
I personally plan to do this in a couple of years once my ongoing project completes.
Recently there was a blogpost (i forget where) which spoke about how NRI’s are driving the price of real estate sky high.
Personally i dont agree with Patrix’s reasoning, but then the opinions are subjective, and hence there is no right or wrong !!
And m are u the brother Patrix is talking about ?? :)
November 21st, 2005 at 9:09 pm reply
This seems to be the topic of conversation in almost all my Desi circles. Some of my friends who had gone back to India a few years back have returned to US, citing professional and personal reasons. However, the many who left in the last year or so, are totally “at home” at home. There seems to be a recent shift in lifestyles in India, where earning in Dollars and spending in Rupees is cushioning the move. I saw some of the “NRI/MNC apartments” in India on a recent trip: they contradict the “not as comfortable as US” theory
On a related note, on Desi Dilemmas, Smitha Radhakrishnan has a two-part podcast series on this topic (it was already posted on DesiPundit a few days back).
Sujatha
Disclaimer: I am one of the prinicpals of Podbazaar
November 22nd, 2005 at 3:06 pm reply
Shub, maybe the fact that he hasn’t spent enough time here to get used to the ‘comforts in the land of plenty’ might explain.
M, I don’t think a compromise would work here. As you said, you just have to jump off and make a choice. Don’t bother too much about the invite if it makes you think so much. I was just kidding.
Cynic, When it starts happening among the non-IT folks, then I will truly understand that things are changing.
Arzan, I am totally neutral on this. I don’t see myself doing it just yet but am totally supportive of my brother’s plans coz he has a plan. Once I am sure I know what I can do with my education out there in India, I’ll be ready to move too.
And nope, M is so not my brother. She has been a regular commenter and my blog-nitpicker since my Rediff days. Having her around balances things out..LOL.
Sujatha, I didn’t catch that episode. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
November 23rd, 2005 at 6:45 am reply
i think half and half will work……will keep you posted on my own experience…..sometimes financial freedom makes it easier……as for thinking- unfortunately indian married women really dont have free choice….everything has to be thought about - and staged at the right moment. nit picker? not intentional. just pleasant banter i would like to think.
November 23rd, 2005 at 11:49 am reply
M, best of luck and keep me posted. And about the nitpicking part, I meant that as a compliment :)Love the banter.
November 26th, 2005 at 7:41 am reply
I guess I would have made teh same decision…somehw I am not all that dreamy eyed abt US of A or a life abroad..have stayed enough to realise the pros of a cushioned life but somehow its not so attractive..and then there’s nothing you dont get in apna desh including family ties :p ..
November 27th, 2005 at 2:03 pm reply
So almost a 1000 people know about me quitting and my boss has no clue. I am dropping the bomb tommorrow.
About having a foot in both the countries is good but my plans so far dont include US. May be I will get a business idea that will involve US business as well but such ideas hit you in the weirdest of places. Most of my ideas have originated in the toilet or the shower.