Prodigal sons and daughters

For NRIs, the desire to return has always persisted. No matter where they go, they retain the idea that one day they will return. The deadlines set are predictable -- in two years flat, when there's more money, when kids are settled, after retirement, when India has more to offer. And some even take the leap, like my husband and I did. Now I don't have ready statistics, but from what I hear from friends and fellow expatriates who've displayed the same bravado, a significant percentage leave again within a year or two, this time without any illusions of coming back.
The reasons here are familiar too, the sheen of the past faded very quickly in the glare of reality. Things have changed dramatically in the time that we were away. Now obviously that's true for everywhere else in the world too, but the pace of change here feels accelerated. Like there was so much more to catch up to, and so in that sprint to make up for lost time we've lost our balance and maybe our way.
Aside from the past not living up to its glorious recollections, the present isn't quite as fulfilling as we'd been led to believe. There's definitely more on offer in terms of consumerism. There are malls, eateries, and totally self-contained and self-sufficient condominiums built for the upwardly mobile --where facilities are 'world class', which basically means that you can live in India without feeling like you live in India. And yet, it doesn't feel like we have more, rather a lot less;because a lot more is on sale, including the people. The warmth, hospitality and open arms I recall are replaced with wariness, road rage and an insidious desire by everyone I meet to know where I live and my husband's occupation. When I walk into a room people are more concerned with the stones on my fingers rather than the thoughts in my head.
But, hey we're pragmatic, we didn't expect roses and wine. NRIs by and large are seasoned travelers, nomads even. We've been to a few different shores and know how to adjust, and we could adjust here too. India is changing, we were reliably informed by the media. But here's the clincher: the past no longer exists, the present is harsh, is there hope for a better future for us and our children? The facts are that India is still a country of scarce resources. We have to wait in line for everything, from job opportunities, gas cylinders or just trying to get the kids into a decent school or college. A 99% score is no longer enough, so what good is our educational system if our kids have to abroad for further education anyway? Did we come back just to be separated from our children like our parents before us?
I like to think that we can shape our own destiny; by and large, we're fully prepared to pull our weight and contribute to the change that we want to see in India. India is our home. We will support with our hard work, our loyalty and our patronage, in addition to financial support (by the way we did that while we were abroad as well). We would like to be part of this change. But although we can contribute funds, buy property and generally contribute to the Indian economy, we are not allowed to vote; however, those NRIs who are still Indian citizenscan vote. Even though we are recognized as being as overseas citizens of India, we've not been grated this intrinsic right while scores of illegal immigrants have been provided voter cards -courtesy our esteemed politicians.
Speaking of whom, if we could vote, whom would we vote for? I won't speak of the established political parties, because I generally try to avoid giving myself an aneurysm. I did have very high hopes from new age political parties, the ones that promised change, progress and integrity. They're now throwing away wasted opportunities by shouting themselves hoarse and generally indulging in the same hooliganism that's so familiar in our political landscape, rather than bringing institutional reform from within.
The concept of democracy is inclusion. All religions, colors, castes, creeds, everyone is welcome. We sold our houses, left our jobs and our friends, to come back home. But as we consider repacking our bags, I feel like this time I would leave a big part of me behind. It's the hope in my heart and the gleam in my eye every time I remembered my childhood, and hoped for a piece of that for my own children. Soon the links that truly hold us here will cease to be a determining factor, our parents. After them, I suspect India's arms won't be long enough to embrace us again.