I have heard so much about brain drain that I want to put my thoughts on it in black and white. I am not writing this to justify anyone's point of view. No, I am writing this because I consider myself part of this drain. I work in the Silicon Valley, a computer engineer for a large company. I know how an American professional differs from his Indian counterpart. I am aware of the political situations in America and India. I see the gulf that exists between the quality of life in these two countries. I am deeply concerned about the long-term effect the brain drain would cause, specially in terms of social responsibility. And I want to return to India at the first opportunity. So what prevents me from doing that? The answer is simple: Like the thousands of NRIs here, I am afraid. Yes, we are afraid of losing the facilities that we have, the things we take for granted here. Let me justify that statement with a few points that I have read on the Internet. Why do Indians work better in other countries? Actually the question should be: "Why are Indians at a better place?" or "Why Indians in the US or other economically better-off countries do well?" The answer is, they can succeed only where there is proper infrastructure. So India does not have infrastructure. Yeah, right! As if USA got the infrastructure readymade! As if some divine power was so angry with India that it gave away all the good roads and buildings to USA! Who is going provide you infrastructure, mister? I would strongly suggest that every Indian go through the history of India and USA. When did your father, grandfather or even great-grandfather ever do anything towards infrastructure? What I want to say is that you walk on the path you build. If you have not built your path, why do you blame others? India is a dirty place to live in. Sure, that's because you have made it dirty. Even in the US, if you do not wash you clothes you will become dirty. Try throwing garbage on the road there. USA is wonderful! Yes, for how long? I am here for something. The US needs me for something. That is why I am paid well -- but only till they need me. Who needs a mechanical engineer here? Who needs a car mechanic here? They already have enough. They will not give H1B to any such worker. The only reason why a visa is granted to you is that you possess a skill that the US needs. Many want to become US citizens. They stay back thinking US is wonderful -- clean, wide roads, good cars... What if I provide you all the above features in India? Wide roads, clean city, clean air, big houses, the works? Won't you come back? If the answer is YES, then please come back. You can help yourself by helping India. Do your bit, and I am sure that you can transform India. Now we return to that question: What prevents us from coming back. The answer, as I said, is that we are afraid. I am afraid of losing what I enjoy today. I am away from my near and dear ones but I think I am lucky. I can compromise. After all, I send them money. If I do not work in the US, how will I be rich? I would not get much in India. But I know deep down that I am not satisfied. I might be rich (in Indian currency), but I am not happy. I have a good car, but I cannot share it with my folks. I have a big house, but I live alone. I loved my small house in India. We were together. Staying is the US is a lesson for me. An opportunity to learn another chapter in life -- new culture, new people. Now that I have learnt it, I want to return home. I will come home and do my part. I don't throw garbage on the streets here; I won't do that in India either. I drive very carefully here; I will drive carefully in India too. But! I never cared about my neighbour in the US. I will always care about them in India. I never cared about learning about India in India, I will make a point to do that better when I am home. I understand the importance of love and loved ones. I understand what my value is in a society. And I will make sure that I contribute as much as I can to it. Yes, I will return home. And you, my dear NRI friends, I hope that you too will follow suit. Think of it, you don't need a visa to come home. Samar Vijay is all Indian. Tell us what you think of this diary
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