The Great Indian Paradox

I am writing this article, after a kind of discussion or rather call it an argument. With whom? Ah! That doesn’t really matter. But I guess my observation over past few months has forced me to write on this topic. So, here I go…

My first question is, “Is India a great country?” If you are an Indian you not only answered “YES” but also would have used some swear words at me in your mind for this weird question. Now my next question is… “If India is such a great country, why are many Indians trying not only to go abroad, but also to settle down there?” Ha! Now that’s a question which doesn’t have an obvious answer. Right?

I have couple of friends from Europe, namely from France and Germany. Even they have come to the US for their higher studies. I have had conversation with both of them about their future plans. Both have similar kind of plans, complete studies and get back home for a career. But most of my Indian friends have only one aim, or rather set of aims. It goes something like this… Complete studies, find a job, get a H1B visa (work visa), stay long enough so that they can obtain a green card (permanent US residency) and ultimately settle down here.

I have also had several conversations with some American folks. I have asked them, if given a chance would they prefer to work in India for some years. Their polite answer has been, India is superb country, which is certainly worth visiting. But when it comes to working, our preference remains US and only US. There is so much of cultural difference between India and US, the food is entirely different and the weather too doesn’t suit us.

I discussed these two instances, the European guys’ one and the American guys’ one, with a friend of mine. He was not at all surprised by their respective words and reaction. This prompted me to ask him some questions… “If the European guys feel US is more advanced than their home countries but still want to return to their home countries, because they miss their own people, own language , don’t Indians miss their home country, their own people and own language?” “If Americans feel that India is too different compared to US in terms of culture, climate and food, don’t Indians feel that US is too different with respect to the same parameters.” He was silent when asked these questions to him.

The only two conclusions I could draw from the above were; One, India is not a great country, otherwise why would people be so eager to go away and never come back to it. Second one; there must be something wrong with Indian people who are more than eager to leave their own motherland, culture and people, which they feel is great. Logic says that either one of the two conclusions must be true.