Being an Indian,born and raised in an old colonial state of Assam and then spent over a decade in NCR, I grew up with a fascination towards the West and the life out in all the developed countries like any other person would in a third world nation.From imported stuff, to branded clothes, to western music to outfits, from visiting expats to friends, relatives and whoever travelled for a short stint to India with their bags full of so caled IMPORTED Items, were looked with awe and admiration. Many aspired and some made it to these countries and settled there for good and also a handful in our known groups returned too and till sometime back were called failures if they did so.
I too was no different and my first abroad trip to the UK was one where I went and came back with oodles of stories to tell, photographs to flaunt and branded stuffs to brag about. Least did I know that it is humans only who live in other places till I started staying in the US.
Till I got married I made more enemies than friends because of my straightforward and extreme honest nature.I still do but life mellows you down. Half of the curious set of cousins, old friends and relatives started calling and adding me in facebook from nowhere just to see who the guy is. Some liked being called my cousin, a friend and what not just for the fact that I stay in the US, as if the US has people living here with no problems, hassle free lives. A funny few set of people till date think only their sons and daughters can travel the world, make good money, have the best of everything. What an irony!
Living in this great country has been a great eye opener for me too. It made me realise that no matter where you go, life and it's struggles never end. They may be in different forms and all that glitters is definitely not gold. Where this country has an organised way of living, people pay a heavy price in form of taxes and Insurance to maintain the same. Buying a pair of glasses or your year's supply of Contact lenses cost you a fortune despite the Isurance you pay every month. That is when Indian postal service and USPS along with your point of contact in India come to your rescue by making it a better deal.
How much we envied students who would come here to study and imagined a funfilled life for them. How wrong we are and have been in thinking so. When I listen to my husband's struggle stories out here while he was studying to get a degree from one of the most prestigious Universities in the US, or would say any student here, I only have tears in my eyes and realise how our parents spent on us while we were students and comfortasbly we lived. Be it partying and splurging on friends who are non existent in our lives today, or buying expensive gifts for boyfriends and girlfriends with whom you broke up ages ago. Atleast students in India who live a life away from parents and those who can afford a basic full education in big cities have no clue how tough it gets for a teenager here the day one grows up to a teen. To pay for one's own college, work alongside to pay for college and also study in a busy environment to make a career and then live with the fear of pink slip when start working for probably do two three shift jobs unless and until you are a Professional here.This just reminds me of the guy helping me out the shoe store who saw this netbook in my hand which I was carrying to trade in for a better one. He told his story of how his neice broke his laptop and the fact that he would not be able to buy another one till next year. I felt like giving my brand new netbook away to him. However called up bro in law and arranged for a spare laptop to gift him away. It reminded me of old days when I bought my first laptop on EMI.
The other day I was at the Driver's Licence center for my Licence work and saw a man struggling to get out of his car and also take out his Oxygen mask. He had come there to give his Road test. I immediately got down the car and although hesitant not to hurt his self respect asked if he needed help. In return he just said," No Thanks." I just left wondering how has he been managing without anyone. For many it is the same story here and it makes you so strong from within. The depression rate here is terrible. People cant do much about it for there is so much to do. Earn a livelihood, no matter how much it snows, or how ill you are, you gotta raise kids sometimes singlehandedly too, pay the bills, do the grocery, the laundry, the carpet cleaning, and dare you fall sick a fortunes of your paycheck goes in a mere checkup or tests with Insurance as a curse sometimes. No wonder in a live in relationship they split the bills and it is definitely justified.
I love the spirit of this country which accomodates people from all corners of this world, still has honesty left and love animals and humans equally. At he same time I miss my country and things my country has to offer which I dont get here making me realise at the same time that every place has its own flaws and positive things. What media depicts or people tell may not be true altogether.
I have come to a point where a Coach Handbag, or a BMW doesnt appeal any more because these are only a few brands we heard in India and thought that is all and whoever has it is the best person to be associated with. Diamonds are precious for we made them precious. I doubt anybody is going to check my ears if they are real or fake. A pure leather bag or a jacket is something I havent bought for ages now after I got to know the reality behind how it is made.
I still like to shop but only for things that are worth its price or I genuinely need one. I havent yet become a saint altogether renouncing the world but have learnt to donate the extra penny to someone more needy somewhere.
So in the end "Imported" is something that is made in a country with cheap labor and then sold at an exorbitant price by making it a brand adding some very big names to it.Whereas who slog their behinds to make that no not even get an iota of their efforts.
My last piece of advice to Indians who still get wooed with Honda Accord and Toyota brands ------grow up for they are not the best cars but the best selling cars for their affordability and resale value. Mercedes and Audi are just two names you know in India apart from BMW. Google and find some more names to flaunt. Louis Vuitton isnt the only high selling brand in the world and to conclude with, Even after you own all this or empty the entire section of Macy's here if you cant be true to yourself and do that extra bit for someine in need you can never be happy. All this will be left behind when we kick the buckets:-)!
Jai Hind and Love you Life.
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