Of NRI's and other Indians

It was surreal. Talk had turned to the Panipuri-wallah of Elco Arcade, the by-lanes of Mumbai, the little reminders of memory that keep one linked to 'home'. Here we were, some Asians, in the middle of "The Garden of England" and all we could talk about was Indian food and the ways of Bombay. Talking about pani-puri and chaat in general made me pine a bit for the tangy taste of that irreplaceable panipuri water - which somehow you can never get when you try it at home, so you can only imagine, as the jokes go, what goes into the cooking on the pavements - but that's what makes it so special!

I look at these young people (and many others), trying to live life to the fullest and wonder what hides behind the facade of laughter and everythings hunky-dory. Is there longing to be back home with family, to be with 'real' friends who show concern for you, neighbours and colleagues to who you can run off to when you're in trouble, without taking an appointment first? Is there confusion about staying v/s going back? Is the dilemma about weighing pros and cons about the good life here v/s the less stressed , but possibly less luxurious life back home weighing them down constantly? I can't tell, really. They all look like happy,well-adjusted NRI's, pleased as punch to have made it in this world where your skin color still makes a difference. And I'm proud of them for having stuck out so far and still survived, apparently intact. They (and others like them) probably long to be back at some level, but given half a chance, will gladly stay back here for the chance to experience life like we never can back in India. No amount of money can compensate for these open fields, the chance to breathe clean air, the possibility of being able to drive at 100 m p/hr - you don't HAVE to, but the roads are that good if you want to. If we, in India, can tap into our rural resources and turn them into paradise (or my version of it!), I'm sure many will be more than happy to return back, dollars or not.

John Milton said "Our country is wherever we are well off". For those Indians who come to the UK and elsewhere in search of a better life, it's a struggle, but one (I guess) where you can put up your feet after a few years and (hopefully) say that it was worth it all.

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