One Bedroom Flat...!!!
ONE BEDROOM FLAT: AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER'S LIFE - A Bitter Reality but a real one....
As the dream of most parents, I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in the USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about five years during which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one-bedroom flat. I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of burgers at McDonald's and pizzas, and discos, and two years watching the foreign exchange rate, getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally, I decided to get married. I told my parents that I had only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked on the cheapest flight. I was jubilant and was actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I missed anyone, then there would be talks. After reaching home, I spent one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter, I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I would not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to the USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to the USA. My wife enjoyed this country for about two months, and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice a week, sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years, we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they could see their grandchildren. Every year I decided to go to India. But part work, part monetary conditions prevented it.
Years went by, and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day, I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried, but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was that my parents had passed away, and as there was no one to do the last rites, the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grandchildren.
After a couple more years passed, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy, we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay, my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA.
My wife refused to come back with me, and my children refused to stay in India. My two children and I returned to the USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American, and my son was happy living in the USA. I decided that I had had enough and wound up everything and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 2-bedroom flat in a well-developed locality. Now I am 60 years old, and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wonder, was it all worth it? My father, even after staying in India, had a house to his name, and I, too, have the same, nothing more. I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window, I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation, and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking if I am alright. Well, at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die, it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rites. God Bless them. But the question still remains, was all this worth it?
"Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
From India
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3ONE BEDROOM FLAT: AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER'S LIFE - A Bitter Reality but a real one....
As the dream of most parents, I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in the USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about five years during which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one-bedroom flat. I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of burgers at McDonald's and pizzas, and discos, and two years watching the foreign exchange rate, getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally, I decided to get married. I told my parents that I had only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked on the cheapest flight. I was jubilant and was actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I missed anyone, then there would be talks. After reaching home, I spent one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter, I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I would not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to the USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to the USA. My wife enjoyed this country for about two months, and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice a week, sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years, we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they could see their grandchildren. Every year I decided to go to India. But part work, part monetary conditions prevented it.
Years went by, and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day, I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried, but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was that my parents had passed away, and as there was no one to do the last rites, the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grandchildren.
After a couple more years passed, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy, we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay, my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA.
My wife refused to come back with me, and my children refused to stay in India. My two children and I returned to the USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American, and my son was happy living in the USA. I decided that I had had enough and wound up everything and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 2-bedroom flat in a well-developed locality. Now I am 60 years old, and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wonder, was it all worth it? My father, even after staying in India, had a house to his name, and I, too, have the same, nothing more. I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window, I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation, and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking if I am alright. Well, at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die, it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rites. God Bless them. But the question still remains, was all this worth it?
"Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
From India
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Hi Navroz,
I am a little bit disturbed after going through the article. I love my parents very much; mom is 68 and dad is 77. They are illiterate and living in a remote village, while I am in the city. They are not accepting to stay in the city. I need to earn to take care of them well. I have to spend for their medical needs, as my mom is going for an angiogram next week. Despite being with my husband and kids, I really miss them a lot. Every minute, I find myself thinking of them. I am just 9 hours away from them, but the distance feels like a lot.
The article is very touching. It leaves me wordless to express my feelings. I had previously planned to resign and go back to take care of my parents, but financially, I am in a position to stay here. I just wanted to share my worries with you.
Regards,
Vennila N
From India, Madras
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I am a little bit disturbed after going through the article. I love my parents very much; mom is 68 and dad is 77. They are illiterate and living in a remote village, while I am in the city. They are not accepting to stay in the city. I need to earn to take care of them well. I have to spend for their medical needs, as my mom is going for an angiogram next week. Despite being with my husband and kids, I really miss them a lot. Every minute, I find myself thinking of them. I am just 9 hours away from them, but the distance feels like a lot.
The article is very touching. It leaves me wordless to express my feelings. I had previously planned to resign and go back to take care of my parents, but financially, I am in a position to stay here. I just wanted to share my worries with you.
Regards,
Vennila N
From India, Madras
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True. Nowadays, people are not giving value to relationships; they are running behind money. I remember a saying which I read a long time back. Not able to get the exact words, but the meaning is this:
"All through our young age, we run and earn money, forgetting about our health, but in old age, we spend whatever we earned on our health."
If everyone starts asking that question, "Was it really worth it?" I am sure many would feel bad about some decisions.
Vennila - Don't feel bad about it. That's life.
This was a nice post, truly touching.
~Raghav
From India, Kochi
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"All through our young age, we run and earn money, forgetting about our health, but in old age, we spend whatever we earned on our health."
If everyone starts asking that question, "Was it really worth it?" I am sure many would feel bad about some decisions.
Vennila - Don't feel bad about it. That's life.
This was a nice post, truly touching.
~Raghav
From India, Kochi
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Hi Navroz,
Really good posting, meaningful and touching. It is quite true that nowadays people are leading a mechanical life. They do not have time for anything and by the time we realize it, it is already late.
It is indeed ironic that, especially for working parents, they do not find much time to spend with their children as they are busy securing their children's future. By the time they retire, their children will not have time for them. That is the endless saga of life. Hence, we should try to make the best use of whatever little time we can spend with our family. After all, "FAMILY should always be our first priority."
Regards,
Sindhu
From India, Delhi
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Really good posting, meaningful and touching. It is quite true that nowadays people are leading a mechanical life. They do not have time for anything and by the time we realize it, it is already late.
It is indeed ironic that, especially for working parents, they do not find much time to spend with their children as they are busy securing their children's future. By the time they retire, their children will not have time for them. That is the endless saga of life. Hence, we should try to make the best use of whatever little time we can spend with our family. After all, "FAMILY should always be our first priority."
Regards,
Sindhu
From India, Delhi
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Dear All,
Thank you for your feedback, but the incident with all the things mentioned below remains true. In this busy life, what we could best do to keep everybody is very simple, yet at the same time, it is very difficult too. Nowadays, mobiles are very common, handy, cheap, and readily available everywhere. What everyone, or at least we, could do is call our loved ones – maybe all the relatives at least once a week to check on how they are – and the loved ones you can call daily (in the case of Vennila) or visit them on the weekends to check on their health, etc. Perhaps this can help them as well as satisfy you to some extent.
With Thanks, Cheers, and Regards,
Navroz
From India
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Thank you for your feedback, but the incident with all the things mentioned below remains true. In this busy life, what we could best do to keep everybody is very simple, yet at the same time, it is very difficult too. Nowadays, mobiles are very common, handy, cheap, and readily available everywhere. What everyone, or at least we, could do is call our loved ones – maybe all the relatives at least once a week to check on how they are – and the loved ones you can call daily (in the case of Vennila) or visit them on the weekends to check on their health, etc. Perhaps this can help them as well as satisfy you to some extent.
With Thanks, Cheers, and Regards,
Navroz
From India
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Hi,
Great post!
As mentioned by Vennila, it happens in everyone's life. I too live in a different city, and my parents are living in a village. My dad is still working in a bank, and whatever he is earning today after 30+ years of experience, I'm getting that amount now. But the kind of life they live, I can't even think about it even 20 years later. Such a peaceful life... Own house, kids settled in good jobs, good friends, caring neighbors, good food, and a healthy life. Here, even after earning so much, we are not happy. Something makes us feel that we are missing something...
But that's the irony of life... We need to accept it. When we start running behind money for various reasons, we can't stop the race.
Still, I always feel that at least once a year, we need to go back to our place for 15 days or so and be the real person near our parents by switching off our mobile and such things.
Our future generation should know what Indian culture, tradition, and values are.
I'm praying that at least this should happen from this year onwards.
Regards,
Anu
From India, Madras
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Great post!
As mentioned by Vennila, it happens in everyone's life. I too live in a different city, and my parents are living in a village. My dad is still working in a bank, and whatever he is earning today after 30+ years of experience, I'm getting that amount now. But the kind of life they live, I can't even think about it even 20 years later. Such a peaceful life... Own house, kids settled in good jobs, good friends, caring neighbors, good food, and a healthy life. Here, even after earning so much, we are not happy. Something makes us feel that we are missing something...
But that's the irony of life... We need to accept it. When we start running behind money for various reasons, we can't stop the race.
Still, I always feel that at least once a year, we need to go back to our place for 15 days or so and be the real person near our parents by switching off our mobile and such things.
Our future generation should know what Indian culture, tradition, and values are.
I'm praying that at least this should happen from this year onwards.
Regards,
Anu
From India, Madras
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This is a wonderful post, and I am sure it has touched everybody's heart who has read it.
We all want to earn more to keep ourselves and our families happy. However, we often find ourselves never truly content or satisfied. I still live with my parents, and at times, I contemplate working abroad to enhance my career prospects. Yet, reflecting on the sentiments expressed in the post, I wonder if this would truly benefit anyone.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Anuradha
From India, Delhi
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We all want to earn more to keep ourselves and our families happy. However, we often find ourselves never truly content or satisfied. I still live with my parents, and at times, I contemplate working abroad to enhance my career prospects. Yet, reflecting on the sentiments expressed in the post, I wonder if this would truly benefit anyone.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Anuradha
From India, Delhi
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Hi Anuradha,
First of all, thank you very much for the reply. Overall, if you see, the person who has stayed with the family and worked for them - at the end of his life is happier than the other who has amassed some property for the so-called family members, i.e., parents who will not be alive when the property comes into existence.
I hope everyone keeps their family happy. Have a good day ahead.
Regards,
Navroz
From India
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First of all, thank you very much for the reply. Overall, if you see, the person who has stayed with the family and worked for them - at the end of his life is happier than the other who has amassed some property for the so-called family members, i.e., parents who will not be alive when the property comes into existence.
I hope everyone keeps their family happy. Have a good day ahead.
Regards,
Navroz
From India
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That’s why I don’t wanna leave India ever!!
ONE BEDROOM FLAT...
WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER..
A Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in
Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the
land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it
was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I
would be staying in this country for about Five years in which
time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement,
the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling
homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and
speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone
cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and
pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange
rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have
only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within
these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight.
Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for
all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be
talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through
all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting
shorter I was forced to select one candidate.
In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get
married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After
the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some
money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after
them, we returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she
started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India
increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our
savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to
have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us
by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked
me to come to Indiaso that they can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India… But part work part
monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting
Indiawas a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a
message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I
couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India ... The
next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there
was no one to do the last rights the society members had done
whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed
away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children's
dislike and my wife's joy we returned to Indiato settle down.
I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my
savings were short and the property prices had gone up during
all these years. I had to return to the USA...
My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to
stay in India... My 2 children and I returned to USAafter
promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an
American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that
had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India... I
had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a
well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is
for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife
has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name and I too have
the same nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing.
This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these
children are losing their values and culture because of it. I
get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well
at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will
be performing my last rights, God Bless them.
But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'
I am still searching for an answer.................!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …..DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ……..
START LIVING IT …….
LIVE ITAS YOU WANT IT TO BE …….
Cheers
SJ
From India, Patna
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
ONE BEDROOM FLAT...
WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER..
A Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in
Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the
land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it
was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I
would be staying in this country for about Five years in which
time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement,
the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling
homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and
speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone
cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and
pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange
rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have
only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within
these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight.
Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for
all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be
talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through
all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting
shorter I was forced to select one candidate.
In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get
married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After
the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some
money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after
them, we returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she
started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India
increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our
savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to
have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us
by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked
me to come to Indiaso that they can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India… But part work part
monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting
Indiawas a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a
message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I
couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India ... The
next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there
was no one to do the last rights the society members had done
whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed
away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children's
dislike and my wife's joy we returned to Indiato settle down.
I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my
savings were short and the property prices had gone up during
all these years. I had to return to the USA...
My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to
stay in India... My 2 children and I returned to USAafter
promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an
American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that
had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India... I
had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a
well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is
for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife
has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name and I too have
the same nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing.
This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these
children are losing their values and culture because of it. I
get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well
at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will
be performing my last rights, God Bless them.
But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'
I am still searching for an answer.................!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …..DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ……..
START LIVING IT …….
LIVE ITAS YOU WANT IT TO BE …….
Cheers
SJ
From India, Patna
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
One Bedroom Flat
Written by an Indian Engineer... A Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents, I had acquired a degree in Engineering and joined a company based in the USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last, I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about five years, during which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee, and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one-bedroom flat.
I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of burgers at McDonald's and pizzas, discos, and two years of watching the foreign exchange rate, getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally, I decided to get married. I told my parents that I had only 10 days of holidays, and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked on the cheapest flight. I was jubilant and actually enjoyed shopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I missed anyone, then there would be talks. After reaching home, I spent one week going through all the photographs of girls, and as time was getting shorter, I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I would not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to the USA. After giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to the USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months, and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice a week, sometimes three times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years, we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they could see their grandchildren.
Every year I decided to go to India, but work and monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by, and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day, I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried, but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was that my parents had passed away, and as there was no one to do the last rites, the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grandchildren.
After a couple more years passed, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy, we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay, my savings were short, and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA. My wife refused to come back with me, and my children refused to stay in India. My two children and I returned to the USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American, and my son was happy living in the USA. I decided that I had enough and wound up everything and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 02-bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old, and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode. Sometimes I wonder, was it all worth it?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name, and I too have the same, nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just one extra bedroom.
Looking out from the window, I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation, and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking if I am alright. Well, at least they remember me.
Now, perhaps after I die, it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rites. God bless them.
But the question still remains, 'was all this worth it?'
I am still searching for an answer...!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS, DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE, START LIVING IT...
LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE
"Experience is what you get, When you don't get what you want..."
From India, Mumbai
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Written by an Indian Engineer... A Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents, I had acquired a degree in Engineering and joined a company based in the USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last, I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about five years, during which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee, and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one-bedroom flat.
I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of burgers at McDonald's and pizzas, discos, and two years of watching the foreign exchange rate, getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally, I decided to get married. I told my parents that I had only 10 days of holidays, and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked on the cheapest flight. I was jubilant and actually enjoyed shopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I missed anyone, then there would be talks. After reaching home, I spent one week going through all the photographs of girls, and as time was getting shorter, I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I would not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to the USA. After giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to the USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months, and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice a week, sometimes three times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years, we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they could see their grandchildren.
Every year I decided to go to India, but work and monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by, and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day, I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried, but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was that my parents had passed away, and as there was no one to do the last rites, the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grandchildren.
After a couple more years passed, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy, we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay, my savings were short, and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA. My wife refused to come back with me, and my children refused to stay in India. My two children and I returned to the USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American, and my son was happy living in the USA. I decided that I had enough and wound up everything and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 02-bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old, and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode. Sometimes I wonder, was it all worth it?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name, and I too have the same, nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just one extra bedroom.
Looking out from the window, I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation, and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking if I am alright. Well, at least they remember me.
Now, perhaps after I die, it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rites. God bless them.
But the question still remains, 'was all this worth it?'
I am still searching for an answer...!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS, DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE, START LIVING IT...
LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE
"Experience is what you get, When you don't get what you want..."
From India, Mumbai
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A good Posting, Gaurav.
And I can believe it when you say "it's True", since I know of quite a few people who fall in that category. Many, in fact, have ended up settling in the USA just to be near their kids, despite the heart yearning to return to India.
The whole unfortunate part is for the individuals to have set the 'wrong' set of priorities in life when they were supposed to make decisions and then realize it's too late to make amends when they realize the consequences of their decision(s). 'Wrong' not in terms of the usual way we look at any decision – 'right' or 'wrong' issue – but in terms of failing to at least prepare (if not exactly see) for any worst-case scenario of where their decision(s) could lead them and if they were prepared to handle such scenarios.
Rgds, TS
From India, Hyderabad
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And I can believe it when you say "it's True", since I know of quite a few people who fall in that category. Many, in fact, have ended up settling in the USA just to be near their kids, despite the heart yearning to return to India.
The whole unfortunate part is for the individuals to have set the 'wrong' set of priorities in life when they were supposed to make decisions and then realize it's too late to make amends when they realize the consequences of their decision(s). 'Wrong' not in terms of the usual way we look at any decision – 'right' or 'wrong' issue – but in terms of failing to at least prepare (if not exactly see) for any worst-case scenario of where their decision(s) could lead them and if they were prepared to handle such scenarios.
Rgds, TS
From India, Hyderabad
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A good posting, Gaurav.
And I can believe it when you say, "it's true," since I know of quite a few people who fall into that category. Many, in fact, have ended up settling in the USA just to be near their kids despite the heart yearning to return to India.
The whole unfortunate and sad part is for individuals to have set the "wrong" set of priorities in life when they were supposed to make decisions and then realize it's too late to make amends when they realize the consequences of their decisions. "Wrong" not in terms of the usual way we look at any decision - "right" or "wrong" issue - but in terms of failing to at least prepare (if not exactly see) for any worst-case scenario of where their decisions could lead them and if they were prepared to handle such scenarios.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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And I can believe it when you say, "it's true," since I know of quite a few people who fall into that category. Many, in fact, have ended up settling in the USA just to be near their kids despite the heart yearning to return to India.
The whole unfortunate and sad part is for individuals to have set the "wrong" set of priorities in life when they were supposed to make decisions and then realize it's too late to make amends when they realize the consequences of their decisions. "Wrong" not in terms of the usual way we look at any decision - "right" or "wrong" issue - but in terms of failing to at least prepare (if not exactly see) for any worst-case scenario of where their decisions could lead them and if they were prepared to handle such scenarios.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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Hello,
Heart-touching story. What I learned from this story is time is important, and time which has passed will never come back. We have to give our best in one shot; no retakes will be given.
Take care.
Regards,
Rupal
From India, Bangalore
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Heart-touching story. What I learned from this story is time is important, and time which has passed will never come back. We have to give our best in one shot; no retakes will be given.
Take care.
Regards,
Rupal
From India, Bangalore
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A TOUCHING STORY..... is money/property is more than our own people..... IS it everything...... think it...
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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HELLO GAURAV.... really fact........ IS MONEY BECOME MORE IMP. than our people.... in our lives..... think.....it...
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Dear,
Even though we are running behind money, we have to understand that there is something beyond money. That is our parents, family, friends, and relatives which cannot be purchased with our money. So, please keep in touch with all your near and dears. (Please do not ask whether I am doing the same perfectly).
With warm regards,
S. Bhaskar
9099024667
From India, Kumbakonam
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Even though we are running behind money, we have to understand that there is something beyond money. That is our parents, family, friends, and relatives which cannot be purchased with our money. So, please keep in touch with all your near and dears. (Please do not ask whether I am doing the same perfectly).
With warm regards,
S. Bhaskar
9099024667
From India, Kumbakonam
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Hi, this is really touchy... but even after reading this, can we fight with those aspirations that we have kept within our eyes? Because of them, all such principles always get superimposed, and we struggle for whatever we want to achieve... and this is another truth, a bitter truth!!
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Dear Gaurav, Let your story open the eyes of youngesters who is seeing greenary on other side bank of the river. if so , it will stop the braindrain of our motherland. bye.....
From India, Chandigarh
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From India, Chandigarh
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