‘Canada Gave Me Stability, However Not A Life’: Indian Techie Dumps Western Dream After 10 Nostalgic Journeys, Vows Return To Chaotic However ‘Actual’ India


New Delhi: A 25-year-old Canadian citizen, born in India and raised at Gurugram in Haryana, goes viral on-line for one thing many within the Indian diaspora solely whisper about. He desires to go away all of it behind – the clear streets, the tech job and the Western “dream” – and return dwelling. Not for a break, however for good.

Posting beneath the deal with @Aggressive-Group-80, the younger man’s Reddit submit is titled “Shifting again to India”. However there may be nothing easy about what he wrote.

“I’m 25M, a Canadian citizen and an Indian OCI. Single. I grew up in Gurgaon, spent 11 years of my life there. I am fairly sad with my life in Canada, now we have a home and I work a meh tech job however I don’t really feel fulfilled,” the submit begins.

His phrases echo an unrest. The type that hides beneath polished LinkedIn updates and neatly filtered Diwali posts from the West.

Since 2021, the person has visited India 10 instances. And each time, the reminiscences got here speeding in. Acquainted streets, previous smells and misplaced time.

“Once I returned for the primary time, it felt like I had gone again in time in a great way. All my reminiscences of childhood got here flooding again,” he wrote.

He described the feeling like a rewind button on the soul. He spoke of roots and resistance.

His dad and mom don’t share the identical longing. “I’ve been pushing my dad and mom to purchase a home in India however they are not shopping for into the thought,” he admitted. However that has not stopped him. “As an alternative, I am pondering of shopping for a comparatively low-cost property for myself… I do not know what I’ll do, however I undoubtedly need to return,” he additional wrote.

The techie made it clear that his is just not some romantic fantasy. He acknowledged the chaos and contradictions of life in India. However he didn’t spare the West both.

“India has its flaws, I get it, however so do these western nations. I personally don’t see a cheerful future for Indians usually within the West,” he mentioned.

After which got here a line most 25-year-olds hardly ever admit out loud: “I plan to remain single/single. I’ve seen an excessive amount of drama in my household alone pertaining to marriage and admittedly it is simply not value it.”

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His uncooked submit sparked a storm of reactions throughout Reddit. One person provided measured optimism: “You’re a Canadian citizen. If shit hits the fan in India, you possibly can all the time return to Canada anytime. Give your self 3-5 years in India and see. Simply don’t let Plan B come to thoughts too typically.”

One other dropped the overthinking: “If you happen to suppose it can make you content, do it. Don’t overthink. Taking others’ opinions will confuse you extra. Good luck.”

Another person reminded him of youth’s uncommon reward: “Do what makes you content. You’re younger – you possibly can afford to take dangers.”

However some voices carried warning and real-life warning indicators. “Occurring a trip may be very completely different to dwelling there. Attempt dwelling there for six months first,” one person suggested.

A extra encouraging voice mentioned it with expertise: “Got here again from the USA 16 years again and by no means regretted it.”

After which got here the humour, uniquely Indian and sharp as ever: “Good. Indian tax and its return will make you run to Canada once more.”

The submit is a window right into a rising shift amongst younger Indians overseas. It questions the default script of success. It asks one thing uncomfortable – what if the West gave every part however pleasure?

The solutions will not be in immigration paperwork or tax legal guidelines. They’re tucked someplace between a Gurugram childhood and 10 return tickets to the previous. And generally, these are the one tickets that matter.