You do not need a VISA to come Back
Home .... Mahen Rathi
I have heard so much about brain drain
that I want to put my thoughts on it in black and white. I am not
writing this to justify anyone's point of view. No, I am writing this
because I consider myself part of this drain.
I work abroad, as computer
engineer for a large company. I know how an foriegn professional
differs from his Indian counterpart. I am aware of the political
situations in overseas and India. I see the gulf that exists between the
quality of life in these two countries.
I am deeply concerned about the long-term
effect the brain drain would cause, specially in terms of social
responsibility. And I want to return to India at the first
opportunity.
So what prevents me from doing that?
The answer is simple: Like the thousands of
NRIs here, I am afraid. Yes, we are afraid of losing the facilities that
we have, the things we take for granted here.
Let me justify that statement with a few
points that I have read on the Internet.
Why do Indians work better in other
countries? Actually the question should be: "Why are Indians at a better
place?" or "Why Indians in the US or other economically better-off
countries do well?"
The answer is, they can succeed only where
there is proper infrastructure.
So India does not have infrastructure.
Yeah, right! As if USA/Any other country
got the infrastructure readymade! As if some
divine power was so angry with India that it gave away all the good
roads and buildings to USA/Others!
Who is going provide you infrastructure,
mister? I would strongly suggest that every Indian go through the
history of India and USA. When did your father, grandfather or even
great-grandfather ever do anything towards infrastructure?
What I want to say is that you walk on the
path you build. If you have not built your path, why do you blame
others?
India is a dirty place to live in. Sure,
that's because you have made it dirty. Even in the US, if you do not
wash you clothes you will become dirty. Try throwing garbage on the road
there.
USA is wonderful! Yes, for how long? I am
here for something. The US needs me for something. That is why I am paid
well -- but only till they need me. Who needs a mechanical engineer
here? Who needs a car mechanic here? They already have enough. They will
not give H1B to any such worker. The only reason why a visa is granted
to you is that you possess a skill that the US needs.
Many want to become US citizens. They stay
back thinking US is wonderful -- clean, wide roads, good cars... What if
I provide you all the above features in India? Wide roads, clean city,
clean air, big houses, the works? Won't you come back?
If the answer is YES, then please come
back. You can help yourself by helping India. Do your bit, and I am sure
that you can transform India.
Now we return to that question: What
prevents us from coming back. The answer, as I said, is that we are
afraid. I am afraid of losing what I enjoy today. I am away from my near
and dear ones but I think I am lucky. I can compromise. After all, I
send them money. If I do not work in the US, how will I be rich? I would
not get much in India.
But I know deep down that I am not
satisfied. I might be rich (in Indian currency), but I am not happy. I
have a good car, but I cannot share it with my folks. I have a big
house, but I live alone. I loved my small house in India. We were
together.
Staying is the US is a lesson for me. An
opportunity to learn another chapter in life -- new culture, new people.
Now that I have learnt it, I want to return home. I will come home and
do my part.
I don't throw garbage on the streets here;
I won't do that in India either. I drive very carefully here; I will
drive carefully in India too.
But! I never cared about my neighbour in
the US. I will always care about them in India. I never cared about
learning about India in India, I will make a point to do that better
when I am home.
I understand the importance of love and
loved ones. I understand what my value is in a society. And I will make
sure that I contribute as much as I can to it.
Yes, I will return home. And you, my dear
NRI friends, I hope that you too will follow suit. Think of it, you
don't need a visa to come home.
Lets promise to our people YES we will come back soon.
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