Longing to return to India

 

I was talking to my nephew, who was born in America. He asked me why I would want to return to India eventually. He said his heart bleeds red, white, and blue. I gave him the example of Amrish Puri in DDLJ, who longs to return to Punjab after working in London. There is always a strong desire to return to our roots, especially if we had a happy childhood.  But the biggest pull, of course, is the family, especially ageing parents and siblings.

Sadly, a huge portion of the current generation has left India to pursue their careers abroad. The biggest losers were the parents of that generation. Initially, they all expressed joy in learning that their son or daughter has got a job in XYZ corporation and is doing well financially. But then, as years roll by, they realize that being very far from their wards is a curse rather than a blessing. Meeting them is at most once or twice a year. Is the money or the career worth it? At some point, the parents cannot travel for 24 hours.

The entire generation just went with the 'flow' and did not really question the downstream effects of their children growing up in India. What happens 1 or 2 generations down? Would they still have links to India? Will they still follow all the Hindu rituals? At least the current generation has grown up in India and still has family there. 

The realization dawned on me quite late. While young, it is all focused on career, what to work on, buying a house, etc. As you get older, you start questioning the bigger purpose in life. Is money alone everything? What use are those 'career levels' when you get the dreaded phone call about your parents' health back in India, and you have to sit through 24 hours on a plane crying and praying? The peace of mind that one gets while being in India, closer to parents, is priceless. For some people, it is too late. 

The great sage of Kanchi used to advise everyone he met to stay in India. Maybe it is divine providence that H1Bs and Green cards are being restricted these days, so at least the next generation can stay together with their families.