Why Indians move abroad

India is one of the oldest and richest civilizations in the world. It is home of world's first university in #Takshila, India, in 700BC, with records of more than 10,500 students from all over the world studied on 60+ subjects. And the “The University of #Nalanda, built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made" - Albert Einstein

Our contributions to the world of Mathematics and Science is invaluable. Our ancestors have not taught us only yoga and meditation, but we did had a strong hold on complementary medicines too; Two thousand years ago the Indians pioneered plastic surgery.

The ancient Indian astronomers had tabulated the movement and positions of the sun, planets and the stars in space, long before Isaac Newton came up with the theory of gravity after the apple had fallen on his head.

I can go on writing the past glories of India; but what happened to the education system of present India? Why would every Indian parent want to send their kid abroad for higher studies?

Whilst we praise, India’s diverse culture & heritage, vibrant traditions, colorful festivals, mouthwatering foods, loving people and the depth of relationships, we are also the largest #diaspora population in the world.

As of 2010, over 1.7 million Indians live and work in the United States of America and over 75,000 Indians were granted US permanent residency. The UK Office of National Statistics estimates around 1.5 million Indians currently live and work in England, making them the single largest visible ethnic minority population in the country.

India is the second largest source of legal immigrants to Canada, with between 25,000-30,000 immigrants settling in Canada every year. India is the fourth major source of permanent migrants to Australia.

But, still why we Indians should we move abroad?

It’s hard to answer the question of why Indians go abroad, reasons can vary from one individual to another and needn't be symptomatic of the mindset of every Indian. But it is the sad truth that every Indian wishes to go abroad at one point in life or another. 

I will try to explore some of the top reasons in the coming threads.

Why Indians move abroad - SOCIAL STATUS & PEER PRESSURE

When I completed my electronics engineering and got a job, the first word that some of my friends and relatives said was,

“You are so lucky, you will go abroad in no time”.

Yet, even after almost 7 years of work in the most prominent IT – R&D industry, my passport was still afresh. But by then, I too had no awareness or intentions to travel abroad; was completely happy working for my passion and having good time with family and friends. Ignorance is always a bliss!

But suddenly there was a crucial period, I went-in shortage of my close friends, one after the other all my friends in the Software Industry had started travelling abroad; Send-off parties and get-togethers became a weekly routine.

At one point, I had more and more friends in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut than in Chennai! But I tried to remain undisturbed, at home. But people around me did not leave.

Whenever I end-up in a situation to say that “I have never been outside India”, I used to get comments that range from funny to outrageous, crazy to disgusting, hurtful to astonishment.

“What, I can’t believe, are you so dump?”

“Oh dear!  You’re lacking in some political skills, you should learn to work smartly and impress your manager”.

“Threaten your manager with resignation if he doesn’t send you onsite”.

And some encyclopedia “uncles” - fathers of my friends, friends of my father, neighbor and house owner uncles said: 

“You know my son/relative ABC? The moment he joined the company XYZ, they realized his potential and he was beseeched to join the workforce at US. I tell you, these multinationals have an eye for talent.”  - Which means I am a complete idiot, does not have any potential even to think about going abroad!

I was a getting an assortment of free advises every day, though I did not ask for. This is not just my story; most of the Indian software professionals go through the same.

This may sound very silly, but in today’s scenario, going abroad has become more of a level-statement today rather than a necessity.

Indian societies are still stuck in a web of unreasonable judgements wherein comparisons take center stage. For some Indians, it is this mindset thatsows the first seeds of thought to go abroad.

Recognition in society and its derivative #peerpressure still remains one of the foremost reasons why Indians go abroad.

Why Indians move abroad - TO GAIN A MOMENTUM

Isn’t it true that even Swami Vivekananda was not recognized as a national hero until his Chicago conference? His glorious thoughts and visions reached a larger crowds only after he uttered the words “Sisters and brothers of America ...," in Chicago by 1893.  The twenty long years that Gandhi lived in South Africa, is the foundation for all his political ideologies and the philosophies.

Independent India’s first Prime Minister - Jawaharlal Nehru, the man who laid down the framework of the Indian constitution - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Impeccable leader - Netaji Subash Chandra Bose,.. Haven’t all these Indian luminaries have studied abroad?

Didn’t Ratan Tata and Anil Dhirubhai Ambani studied and practiced their business abroad, before they come back to make a huge difference in India?.  I can go on writing.. The list will go really big; even in the modern times, legends like Dr. Manmohan Singh and Raghuram Rajan have returned to after seeing their accomplishments elsewhere in the world.

If even these geniuses need a stint aboard to learn, practice and gain their momentum & recognition, what are the chances of tiny mediocre brains like me encompass, in getting discovered among the huge competitive crowd in India! In today’s scenario in India, no job gives you the freedom to experiment / try-out new things; we can’t afford to make even a single mistake, even if it’s during the process of learning. Most of the times, we are allowed to “just do what is said or asked”.

For many of us, the spell in a foreign country certainly give an opportunity to learn, experiment things, and ultimately to gain the confidence, momentum and recognition in our respective career. I completely agree that the real worthy brains will get recognized wherever it is... But, no one can deny the “probability of success rate” among 1.3 billion populations.

Why Indians move abroad - SPOILT WORK CULTURE & TIMINGS

It was just another day at office in Bangalore; I was still in India, working for one of the Top-3 IT firms of India.

I wanted to leave bit early from work on that day, so I requested my manger:

“Hi, I have some work…, would like leave office around 4’ O clock today, is that OK?”

“Sure, No problem. Do you need any taxi/cab to drop you back at home?” my manager replied caringly.

For a moment, I thought he was sarcastic; but he was not. It took a while to understand that he actually was going to approve my request to leave by 4AM,by the next morning!

*Not a joke; it's a true incident

Yes, it was my mistake; I should have asked him specifically as 4 in the evening. But, this is the reality and expectations of most Indian Managers; Working 10+ hours a day and frequent weekend working is a standard norm in most of the IT firms.

Not just the over timings, another point what actually irks me is the poor work ethic and expectations of some of the Indian managers.

Most of my American or European colleagues and managers are extremely happy to hire an Indian Engineer, they firmly believe that an Indian Engineer can easily pick-up sharp and deliver a superior result.But they are never in favor of outsourcing the work to an Indian firm, or even to invite an Indian programmer on deputation.

You may call out several different business to political motives for their behavior, but one of the factual reasons, I would accept is the bad business practices statistically associated with the Indian way of working.

A Polish friend told me a story of a man who constructed a complete house from the materials he stole from his work.

During the communist period in Poland, There was a guy who was able to steal all the materials, bit by bit every day and from his job factory and built an entire house in few years. He was a considered as a local hero and “smart” in his village for this brilliant skill. But won’t we call the same person as a “corrupt” today? Well, most of our Indian managers have a little bit of the same “smart” syndrome.

I have seen many such “smart” managers who try to double or compensate his revenue margins by asking their engineers work on two projects simultaneously. The manager is seen as “smart” by his boss, but eventually, his team loses their “quality” while compromising for the “quantity” of work.

In this scenario, even just talking about the work life balance is a joke, so I better skip the topic.

Why Indians move abroad - FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE

“Debt can take you places” - Mostly to court rooms, prisons and all sorts of hell; but for a change, it took me to a heaven of Europe, fortunately!

Yes, I too prey fall for the typical Indian middle class’s greed of buying an own house; bought a smallish 2 bed house in a lively locality in Bangalore, of course with the aid of Home loan.

Soon a major chunk of my salary started going towards the EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) for the home loan. Within a year, the floating interest rate for the loan peeked-up at the same rate as my company reduced my take-home salary with their innovative salary restructuring policy.

And on the other side, Indian inflation was inching close to double digit. Cost of rice was doubled, while the vegetable and provision prices had gone over the roof, from the day I signed-up my loan. Needless to say that all my initial budget calculations went bamboozle and I was so feeble in-front of the terrible trio of increasing EMI, reducing Income and Inflation.

Yeah, let me admit it! More than any other above factors, the single biggest reason for my departure was the “Money” – the dollars, Pounds and Euros!

On my situation, finding a job abroad was the only option. That’s not to say that the first class countries are welcoming Indian Engineers with red carpet and just giving money away here. The weak Indian currency is always in favor and could help me to save more and settle the loan sooner, while still I can lead a better quality of life abroad.

Why Indians move abroad - POOR POLITICS & CORRUPTION

India is not the only country to suffer with corruption; there is corruption everywhere in the world, but what I can’t digest the fact that corruption has become a normal part of life in India. Corruption is perceived as “just the way things are in the country”

All I wish is that there shouldn’t be any corruption in the basic human needs at least. Can every citizen of India get sufficient food, water, unpolluted air, clothing and shelter? Safe drinking water and quality air is merely not imaginable even for the people who pay highest tax too.

The most simple daily-routine administrative tasks cannot be performed without a bribe to the civil servant in charge of the paperwork. Got your stuff stolen? Had a car accident? Need to register your name for a permit, a loan, a government certificate or subsidy? You can’t escape from the bribe money.

India not only has 7 national parties, but also over 50 State political parties and hundreds and hundreds of local ones that all compete to represent as many ethnic groups as possible. So in theory, do you think it sounds like a good thing? No!

But here it implies a huge political marketplace where citizens exchange their votes for favors, to themselves or to their group. Now that may sound like what a democracy does, but the kind of favors they ask for are more of the administrative sort.

This makes corruption in India a perfectly normal mechanism to the functioning of the democratic life. It’s just another wheel of bureaucracy. “Not cool”, right? 

Book Summary - Srirangathu Devadhaigal (ஸ்ரீரங்கத்து தேவதைகள்)

Srirangathu Devadhaigal (ஸ்ரீரங்கத்து தேவதைகள்) is yet another excellent piece of work by Sujatha. It is not a novel, but his own nostalgia of his adolescent years.

Sujatha takes us on a ride down the memory lane with his 14 short stories -all of which share a common backdrop - his native, a small town called "Srirangam", in the atmosphere of 70's through 80's, portrayed so beautifully!

The stories arouse a variety of emotions. First few chapters/stories took me so in deep; I thought the book is going to be a heavy read, but rest of the 10 stories slowly turned towards a lighter side to out-and-out hilarious! The story (sentences & phrases) are written in the style of “Iyengar Tamil”; but it’s not that different, infact it helps to easily get-into the plot – the real Srirangam 😊.

Though some scenes were purely imaginary (Sujatha mentions at the beginning itself), but still made me believe as they’re real!. It’s so gripping that everyone can easily relate each of the characters in the book. All of us would have met interesting characters like the “thinna”, “secha”, and a “half-scientist”. 

At the end of every story, the author also states of his encounter with the characters after 30 years or so and tells us how they ended up. And that's what life is all about, isn't it? We meet our childhood friends and discuss those ridiculous episodes and anecdotes and end with a 'now look at us'.

The book made me nostalgic and recall instances of every hue from my life. I’m sure, you will also go into your memories while reading. Isn't that a good enough reason to read Srirangathu Devadhaigal 😜?

Why Indians move abroad - COMMERCIALIZED EDUCATION SYSTEM

I am not going to blame the complete Indian Education System; In fact, it never forces anyone to become Software Engineer/Doctor/Charted Accountant etc. It is the poor economic condition of our country that compels most of the parents to force such ‘high earning’ professions on their kids.

We don’t see education as a process of learning, rather an instrument to earn the money we invested – nothing but a business.

In turn, the student aims to score more marks in the examinations rather than learning something for his knowledge; the schools aim to make more money rather than teaching the wisdom.

“Education is that what remains after one has forgotten what one has learnt in school.”-  Albert Einstein

If the above statement is true, I and most of us, the present generation have ever had education.

I have had a great school days, barley learnt anything other than the school lessons. My family’s meager economic condition just made sure that I don’t think or try-out anything else other than the school book texts.

I studied hard instead of enjoying the learning! Not to disagree, the hard studies secured me a district rank that assured me an engineering seat in a reputed institute and even helped to get my first job too.

But it took no time for me to realize that I learnt nothing, on the first day of my work itself. There was absolutely no connection between the theories I studied in the school and the practical day-today work.

Not just our primary and secondary school syllabus are sheathing, even our engineering curriculum is many decades behind.

Now, I don't want my daughter to grow up with the same problems and prejudices that I had been facing. I do not want my kid too bend up in a pressurizing education system which is desperate to rob her a healthy, carefree childhood and push her into endless tuitions, day & night muck-ups, unhealthy competitions and as a result, totally a non-creative atmosphere. 

Why Indians move abroad - Why did I ?

Some or most of the above things that I wrote may appear a usual blather from any NRI and you may think that these are common problems and one can afford to live with them, but these points are alone responsible for the quality of lifestyle of an individual in any country.

I have only one life to live and I have no grandiose notions about my ability to change the lives of a billion. Yes, some of you may feel like that's an excuse for not 'dedicating' my life to that purpose, but honestly, no single person has ever changed the world and it israther better to focus on doing something that makes the best use of your capabilities – Instead.

If we all - everyone irrespective whether you reside in India or not, focus on being the best and possible solutions for the practical issues &problems, the bigger ideological and systemic problems will also get resolved slowly.

Until that glorious day each Indian will motivate himself/herself with these famous words uttered by none other than Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and will try to move abroad:

“I am moving abroad for a few years, fed up of this nonsense.”

Singaperumal Koil - Sri Patalathri Narasimhar Temple, Chengalpattu

Singaperumalkoil Temple, located near Chengalpet, is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord “Paatalathri Narasimhar” and goddesses, Lakshmi, in the name of “Ahobilavalli”. This is one of the ancient temples dating back to the 8th century, built in a rock-cut architecture (the structure is created by carving out natural hillock).

Moolavar (primary deity) : Patalathri Narasimhar
Utsavar (festival deity): Prahalatha Varadan
Thayar: Ahobilavalli
Age: ~1400 years
Thala Virutcham: Paarijatham
Location: Singaperumal Kovil, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu

Short History:

The temple is presumed to have been originated by the Pallava dynasty, who were ruling this portion of Tamilnadu, till 897 CE. Later the Cholas took-over and expanded the temple. The earliest inscription found in the walls of the temple are from the 9th century, mentioning about the King Raja Raja Chola-I (Reign‎: 985 to 1014 CE).

There are numerous inscriptions from the period of 10th to 11th century, indicating about gifts offered to the temple, by different people around the regime.


A Look inside the Temple:

As you enter, you’ll see the pedestal (பீடம்), Flagtree (கொடிமரம்) and statues of 10 primary incarnations (dasavatharams) of Lord Vishnu. Walking to the left will take you to the main sanctum.

 
 

The main Sanctum features Patalathri Narasimhar with his two gate-keepers (Dvarapalas). In Tamil language பாடலம் (Paatalam) means colour red; அத்ரி (Athri) means “Hill”. Since the Lord Narasimha here graces in the form of “Ugra Narasimhamoorthy”, furiously with his Red third eye on the forehead and carved in the rocky hill, he is called as “Patalathri Narasimhar”.

Sanctum of Goddesses Ahobilavalli is on the right to Narasimhar, and Andal’s shrine is to his left. There’s a separate shrine for Hanuman and Garuda; we can witness all the twelve Azhwars too.


Specialities/ Beliefs:

Circumambulation around sanctum of the temple is called as “Girivalam / GiriPradakshinam”; we actually Circumambulate the whole little hill. The “Azhinjal” tree behind the sanctum is presumed very powerful; praying on this tree is believed to relieve all your worries, bring good health and wealth. 

How to reach:

Singaperumalkovil village is located on the GST road from Chennai to Chengalpet. It is easily accessible by public transports (Bus/ Sub-urban Trains ) or by Car/Taxi.

• Bus: Not all the inter-city buses stop at Singaperumal Kovil. Its better to take city buses from Tambaram to Chengalpet (Route number M500 runs every 8 minutes). It will be approximately 1 hour of travel.

• Sub-Urban Train: Alternatively, you can take the suburban train (EMU Local) towards Chengalpet route. You’ve these trains every 1 hour. Some passengers trains like “Tambaram Villupuram Passenger” also stops at Singaperumal kovil station.

• By Car: Drive on Chennai - Nagapattinam Highway NH32, the temple is about 23 Kilometres from Tambaram, just 100meters off the GST road.

• Address: Sri Patalathri Narasimhawamy Temple, Singaperumal koil, Kancheepuram – 603 202.

Open Timings

• The temple opens as early as 5:30am; however, the first darshan starts only around 7.00 a.m. and remains open till 12.00 a.m
• In the evening, it opens again at 4.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m.
• It is recommended to go as early in the morning. As the day progresses (especially in the evenings), the temple may get very crowded.

Hope I have captured all the details you want to know about this powerful temple; Please leave your additional questions/feedback in the comment section. I'll try to answer to the best of my knowledge. 

Happy exploring & stay blessed!