Being desi abroad...not bad after all!

** This post is dedicated to all the immigrants who have chosen to enjoy their new life!

Desi is a common term to denote people of south east asian origin (Indians).Being an NRI is actually fun.Im enjoying the process , much to the surprise of my other counterparts scattered around the globe.I always read about dejections and depressions of living away from 'home'.The problem is they dont realise the positives of their new home in another country.

I too thought I would miss certain things so prominent in India.I was wrong.I realised the advantages of being an NRI.

People People and more people.This is no exaggeration.Relatives , neighbours, friends, marriages, functions, festivals..is all about feeding people and meeting people.Life in India revolves around 3 things food,religion and people near,dear and far!We love it. But, not a festival every month.Thats why the American or NRI dream looks more fascinating to the younger generation.We miss the social gatherings and fun but guess what, we survive very happily without them too.We taste it on our occasional trips to India and that seems to be good until the next visit.We seem to have the best of both worlds.

No complications.Our calenders are not filled with the weddings and engagements of  'mere nani ke chote bhai ki saheli' (my granny's brothers friend) stuffs. Dont get me wrong that I hate meeting people.Its in my blood that has the Indian DNA that I love the gossips and long introductions.But lets face the fact, its a busy busy world and suddenly the science age is moving so fast.We have such less time. Its a age where the walls of private spaces are growing high and more isolation is developed out of every technology.Being a married woman, I would love to have the attention and time with my husband and family than anyone else.That is my priority.Our careers, our life, our home, our parents, peppered and spiced with relatives would be the ultimate dream rather than a life for others.Rather than debating on which is good, I just want to say that this dream is lived as the 'NRI'.

Loads of time, trips, travels, sporting and what not and an occasional trip India is lovely.

In addition ,there is the diva status you have,when you go to India.As the rule in economics goes, rarity of the resource will catapult its marginal price.We the NRI's are a rarity to see and be with , so the 3-4 weeks we are there,life revolves around us and we enjoy the kesar laddoos and paalgova's without the diwali!

Even if im married in India, I wouldnt have had the time of a one month vacation with my family.This is possible only as an NRI.You get to spend quality time when you visit family.

Since you are an immigrant, you realise the magnitude of your blessing.The blessing of living in a developed part of the world.I find living in India more expensive than living here.We pay our taxes and enjoy the benefits in Canada.But, what about in India.The cost of living has catapulted.The services we receive for our taxes is not sufficient or rather missing.I feel secure with Health card than having loads of money and walking into a hospital in India.I miss India but the fact is India is missing a lot of things for a quality life.

Its always good counting your blessings rather than counting what we are missing.

Its not so bad after all.Living the NRI dream. I am also amazed at the exposure we get staying in a multicultural place like Canada.Meeting so many people from so many countries, ability to see a different life style etc.I feel blessed.Its in the perception that your happiness is defined.Find it,you may have it already but may not have noticed.