A decision to return is a resolve to reconnect with the past, even if selectively, so as to make the present and the future more fulfilling. Obviously some diligent and detailed research precedes such a decision: to pick the destination of choice, the environment, support structure, accommodation, facilities and financial arrangements. In all probability, a preliminary visit may have been undertaken prior to the decision and the issues discussed threadbare within the family. However, due to the compulsions of time and stress it is easy to slip up on taking some important steps that would otherwise make for a smoother transition. Since one has stored memories of the mother country, one can be overconfident and ignore differences in physical environment, attitudes, norms and ways of social interaction, that have come up or become sharper during the time the returning NRI has been away from home. The effort here is to offer a few tips, in the nature of a checklist to reconfirm the painstaking efforts already made during your careful preparations.
Get used to the noise: The first factor is the noise that will hit you the moment you disembark from the plane and hit the tarmac. What better way to plug your ears with music of your choice, so keep your headset or the earplugs handy. I remember how I instinctively cupped my ears with my palms the moment the cab driver merrily leaned on his horn and blasted away.
Reckless driving: The second shock to hit you is the reckless driving. Get used to a feeling of terror every time car or a motorbike rushes out of a side lane, without warning, and lunges directly in your direction. Even the cab driver taking you home for that matter takes risky chances. You are bound to think about accidents and the desire to take the wheel yourself. So make sure about accident insurance and getting an international driving permit before setting out. Your local automobile club gives you a permit valid for one year at a minimal cost and it will save you tremendous bother in the initial period of your relocation.
Luggage issues: Another major worry is the heavy luggage you intend to bring back. Gone are the days when returning NRIs came laden with white goods, electronics, and exotic goods. All these are procurable locally so no point lugging them back. Dispose of most of your belongings and travel light. And check out storage facilities at your destination. One trick is to send your stuff in a container load, shipped just when you fly out so that it arrives a reasonable time later than when you do, so that you have time to check and reassure yourself of the storage facility.
Accommodation: Quite a few of the people who come back want to familiarize themselves with their new surrounds and learn their way around to reach their place of work, the kids schools and universities, the markets and clubs before buying a place of their own. A wise choice to first rent than buy.
What to wear: Another difference is the attire, markedly so for women. Gone are the saris and the salwar kameez, replaced by trousers, dresses and skirts. Somehow that change seems to have worked wonders for their shapes, as they tend to be trimmer and smarter. So get in shape, before you go and keep in shape when you get there.
Domestic help: You are no longer addressed as sahib or madam but only uncle or auntie. And they are no longer in awe of your NRI status, as everyone has been - or someone from their family has been, at least to Dubai or Abu-Dhabi or Singapore. Society is definitely getting more egalitarian, and personally I find it refreshing. Decide on your choice of mode of address, sahib, madam, babuji, bibiji, whatever, and tell your employees firmly to get it right so as not to embarrass you.
Language: The preferred language of social exchange in the urban landscape is no longer the local language but English. In the new malls there is no signage in Hindi or Marathi or Tamil and the persons behind the counters respond to customer queries only in English, however broken or colloquial it be. They will tax your patience, so help them along by gently coaxing them in whatever mode of conversation, the local language or English so they can serve you better.
Infrastructure: Most disturbing is the failure of local government and public safety structures ranging from collection of rubbish to fire and rescue services, disease prevention, health and education services, regulation of traffic, policing, electricity and water supply to poor infrastructure, and the general apathy towards municipal functions uniformly all over urban areas throughout the country. The few safe areas are within self contained colonies even though surrounded by slums and are increasingly susceptible to unpleasant forages by criminals masquerading as domestic help. It is much safer to reside there than in standalone houses.
Transport: A new and helpful feature that has eased the transport gridlock in Delhi had been the emergence of the world class Metro Train Service. Soon Bangalore will follow suit. For those who firmly believe in foregoing the car in favour of public transport, it is a boon.
Provided the returning NRIs take sensible steps, such as the ones above, homecoming will be a less onerous task. With the advent of the internet, mobile phones, credit cards and ATMs it is ever easier to bank, shop, pay bills, gather information, chart routes and plan holidays. What is more daunting is to find that the landscape stored in the memory cells differs from the reality that confronts the homing returnee and losing that precious treasure is a bigger loss o handle than the mere physical travails of the journey back home.
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