Uncle Sam's emissary came, sauntered and flew back!
Oh, does it sound political when the word 'emissary' is used. Here the country needs no direct reference, the emissary is brother-in-law, almost a familial accessory. He lives so far away that with every passing year it gets more and more difficult to relate with him about Indian culture and Indian life. I thought, with age, a person mellows down, gets more earthly and connects more warmly. But no, I am disappointed. Besides the goodies that he parted /disbursed, there is only a 'gel' like halo attached which disintegrates with the tropical climate . I mean the 'gel' of warmth.
Many years ago, a family friend who could aspire to be as highly placed as in the CAG office in India, she left Indian shores to Uncle Sam's country which extricated the intellect of her. Today she is left fully zapped of energy and drive. Hit by an incurable disease, she is longing to be back in India. Must admire her husband who has borne her indisposition with tremendous courage and patience along with the requisite medical cover. Today she aspires half-heartedly to be back.
Global citizens no longer relish 'alien' shores
The most evident traits about expatriates is their dissatisfaction with Indian life and living conditions. Those who pioneered this dream of seeking 'greener' pastures hailed from Kerala. They wove and rewove dreams that were laced with petro-dollars but all said and done, dreams do not last a life time. Somewhere deep down the Indian psyche is revealed at some or the other stage of one's life. Like an Indian he has his own way to savour a good meal or drink noisily, laugh aloud in public places, misuse toilets, make noisy gestures to communicate privately (?).
These very traits are applicable to those Indians in Europe, or the US or sophisticated countries like Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan. Many may vehemently refute this argument but I have observed quite a few and the more I see them, the more plaintive is the disdain for a total makeover of personality which is impractical.
Cheerio to Paan
There is this gentleman whose passion for betel leaves and betel nuts is nutty. He had the good fortune to visit the Emirates but that also surged his love for the spittoon. In most places the spittoons were placed in the washrooms. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. His aversion to use the spittoon in washrooms lessened his urge to chew 'paan'. That was remarkable.
Love for spirits (potable)
Indians also yearn to gulp foreign spirits as they taste exotic. 'Phoren' liquor is attractive to Indians and expatriates alike.The latter feel elated to be received with added respect as they hand over these spirits as if they were specially imported from heaven. The less said the better as many of my male acquaintances will feel hurt by these accusations. The insatiable thirst for foreign 'spirits'.
Second rate citizenship or first rate ruffians at home
The Indian male has this unique quality to feel like a 'monarch' of all he surveys. That sense of closeness or attachment to one's native soil is still rampant in the Indian expatriate. That sets him apart and defines an Indian feel for the soil that that he was born.A native longing.
Many years ago, a family friend who could aspire to be as highly placed as in the CAG office in India, she left Indian shores to Uncle Sam's country which extricated the intellect of her. Today she is left fully zapped of energy and drive. Hit by an incurable disease, she is longing to be back in India. Must admire her husband who has borne her indisposition with tremendous courage and patience along with the requisite medical cover. Today she aspires half-heartedly to be back.
Global citizens no longer relish 'alien' shores
The most evident traits about expatriates is their dissatisfaction with Indian life and living conditions. Those who pioneered this dream of seeking 'greener' pastures hailed from Kerala. They wove and rewove dreams that were laced with petro-dollars but all said and done, dreams do not last a life time. Somewhere deep down the Indian psyche is revealed at some or the other stage of one's life. Like an Indian he has his own way to savour a good meal or drink noisily, laugh aloud in public places, misuse toilets, make noisy gestures to communicate privately (?).
These very traits are applicable to those Indians in Europe, or the US or sophisticated countries like Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan. Many may vehemently refute this argument but I have observed quite a few and the more I see them, the more plaintive is the disdain for a total makeover of personality which is impractical.
Cheerio to Paan
There is this gentleman whose passion for betel leaves and betel nuts is nutty. He had the good fortune to visit the Emirates but that also surged his love for the spittoon. In most places the spittoons were placed in the washrooms. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. His aversion to use the spittoon in washrooms lessened his urge to chew 'paan'. That was remarkable.
Love for spirits (potable)
Indians also yearn to gulp foreign spirits as they taste exotic. 'Phoren' liquor is attractive to Indians and expatriates alike.The latter feel elated to be received with added respect as they hand over these spirits as if they were specially imported from heaven. The less said the better as many of my male acquaintances will feel hurt by these accusations. The insatiable thirst for foreign 'spirits'.
Second rate citizenship or first rate ruffians at home
The Indian male has this unique quality to feel like a 'monarch' of all he surveys. That sense of closeness or attachment to one's native soil is still rampant in the Indian expatriate. That sets him apart and defines an Indian feel for the soil that that he was born.A native longing.