Many people in India envy and strongly believe that an NRI’s life is a cake walk and he is the most fortunate person on this earth. Many young girls and boys aspire to come to the US for higher education. This has become the only dream for many engineering students who toil hard to write GRE/TOEFL and come to the US for higher education.
There are other youngsters who come on a work visa to earn big bucks. They all keep a common goal. Completing their education, get into a lucrative job, save some big bucks, return home and eventually live with their parents and family happily.
In realty, the NRI’s life has only a few memories to save. Most of his beginning years are gone dealing with immigration issues, transferring visas, learning to drive and maintain good credit history, etc. Soon, he gets stuck in a vicious cycle of immigration at the expense of his goal keeping.
The same cycle repeats for the spouse, learn how to drive, apply for a work visa. The new person enters knowingly into an unknown world and is expected to make wonders. In between, there will be conversations with parents back home about slick roads, awesome infrastructure, big highways, clean streets, lavish buildings. Brag about dishwashers, washing machines and gigantic fridges that endorse the perception that the NRI’s life is a royal life indeed.
Little would they know that deep inside the NRI’s life is filled with nostalgia, loneliness and boredom? Engrossed in the mundane and monotonous life, the NRI relentlessly searches for an entertainment package in an effort to bring some emotional tone in the life. He visits places, yet, lacks happiness and contentment. He turns into a full blown confused.
Five more years and he is now a successful Mr US Citizen just like his kids. Yet, he feels alien, the brown skin has not changed, Indian accent has not improvised. As the social, emotional and philosophical life fades away, the NRI enticingly does not cling to the NRI and the citizenship status, it proves to be just his compelling state of need.
Most NRIs are confused, anxious and still decide to settle in US, others try to go back. Those who decide to return, look for support from parents and family. Astonishingly, lots of them are getting a push back in the name of dollars. Whether they can overcome the repulsion and make it, is a million dollar question which is yet to be answered.
By Premji
 is not as presentable as we see. Check out the Introspection of NRI life here.){kind=link}