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By Rajkamal Rao
When families who have stayed in the West for some time think of returning to India, they struggle to rationalize if the comfortable lives they lead abroad can be replicated in India. Replication may neither be attainable nor meaningful but most families seek assurances that their lives will be at least comfortable in India.
We attempt to list the features of life that families experience (and enjoy) in the US and how each may compare in a changing and fast-growing India. The list should present no surprises to those who visit India frequently. An important assumption here is that the destination for the returning family is one of the eight large Indian metros - Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Jaipur - or the 45 other urban agglomerations with a population of 1 million or more. The logic is that these places probably represent areas from which the families initially migrated to the west. And these areas present the greatest economic opportunities for the returning family and provide the best in living - schools, hospitals - that India can offer.
Note that the list solely represents the opinion of the author. Each section includes a mention of the current state in the US, followed by a description of how things have evolved in India. Where there is an issue or a challenge, workarounds are presented so that the returning Indian family can cope.
Summary: The US clearly tips the balance when it comes to lifestyle conveniences, comfort and safety. But modern India does offer workarounds. If you have money (or the capacity to earn it), tolerance and an ability to re-calibrate your definition of comfort, life can be very enjoyable and fulfilling in India.
When families who have stayed in the West for some time think of returning to India, they struggle to rationalize if the comfortable lives they lead abroad can be replicated in India. Replication may neither be attainable nor meaningful but most families seek assurances that their lives will be at least comfortable in India.
We attempt to list the features of life that families experience (and enjoy) in the US and how each may compare in a changing and fast-growing India. The list should present no surprises to those who visit India frequently. An important assumption here is that the destination for the returning family is one of the eight large Indian metros - Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Jaipur - or the 45 other urban agglomerations with a population of 1 million or more. The logic is that these places probably represent areas from which the families initially migrated to the west. And these areas present the greatest economic opportunities for the returning family and provide the best in living - schools, hospitals - that India can offer.
Note that the list solely represents the opinion of the author. Each section includes a mention of the current state in the US, followed by a description of how things have evolved in India. Where there is an issue or a challenge, workarounds are presented so that the returning Indian family can cope.
Clean Air
Clean Water
Climate comfort in the home
Size of home
Public infrastructure
Zoning Laws
Passenger Cars
Public Libraries
Public Parks
Media - TV, Radio, Newspapers and Magazines
Broadband Internet
Public Wi-Fi
Cell Phone Service
Fitness
Grocery Shopping
E-commerce
Service Quality Levels
English Language
Affirmative Action for College Admissions
Social Security and Medicare
Cost of Living
Clean Water
Climate comfort in the home
Size of home
Public infrastructure
Zoning Laws
Passenger Cars
Public Libraries
Public Parks
Media - TV, Radio, Newspapers and Magazines
Broadband Internet
Public Wi-Fi
Cell Phone Service
Fitness
Grocery Shopping
E-commerce
Service Quality Levels
English Language
Affirmative Action for College Admissions
Social Security and Medicare
Cost of Living
Summary: The US clearly tips the balance when it comes to lifestyle conveniences, comfort and safety. But modern India does offer workarounds. If you have money (or the capacity to earn it), tolerance and an ability to re-calibrate your definition of comfort, life can be very enjoyable and fulfilling in India.
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