Retun to India - my experiences

This is a post on my experiences in India after moving back to India after 5+ years. I am writing this post after nearly an year of moving back to India. So, some of the things have blurred over a period of time. Since, I moved back to India without having made a single refresh trip in between, I had lost a feel of many things and so , perhaps, had more surprises than others. 

Infrastructure:
The grand reception at the Delhi's T3 terminal sets in a great mood about India. Followed by Indian builders who seem to have created fantastic monuments in and around the metros. India's builders are, perhaps, the most visible face of India's growth story. Roads have tried to keep up with the new lifestyle with most of the flyovers in place. Apartments with swimming pools, greens, gyms, clubs are a no big deal now. In short, private parties made big and have certainly done their bit. Metro is a great achievement and so are happy customers in the new DTC buses.

However, this good story seems to start and end around metros. There is very miniscule growth that has happened in the rural parts of India. It is so surprising to see that things have not moved a bit in rural India places after so many years. Some of these places, I visited after 10 years or so.

Modernization:
Swanky cars, big malls - some of them a mile long, designer malls, international brands, Abercrombis etc. are all there now. The number of SUVs, Mercs, Beamers, Audies on the roads sort of tells you that the esterwhile middle class has moved up in the "modernization" chain. 

Fitness:
I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people coming to the gym, exercising, doing yoga, swimming, walking around or biking on the roads. The awareness has increased. Avenues have increased. Not to mention the competitive avenues. Daily half marathon was so nicely organized and the participants were in such great form throughout the race. Great crowd and the overall stature of the event just showed through all of this. And it was very heartening to note that there were 10 finishers in the Gurgaon's marathon and half (63.3 kms)

Law and Order:
Criminals have become hard core. Petty thieves have become robbers. Robbers have gone international. Great progress there :). This is one area that sucks the most. The sense of security, in general public, has declined big time in India. Road rages and murder at the drop of the hat have become so prominent. Due to the rapid change in the lifestyle and affluence of people in general, law and order makers and implementers have not kept pace with the socio-culture changes. This is the biggest concern and in my opinion, the biggest failure of the government.

Rich and Poor Divide
Again, this is something an area that hurts a lot. The number of beggars on the streets have increased, people dying due to cold, starvation are increasing, number of malnutritioned is alarming. This is perhaps also a contributor to the law and order situation.

Growth Story:
US and Europe have already started fearing India and China because of the exponential growth that's happening in these countries. Any venture capitalist site you visit, it is full of stories on investments in India. And why shouldn't that be. 
eg. the money grows in India at an average interest rate of 10% and in US at about 1-2%. If you are earning in US and have access to invest in India. Obviously, its a great investment channel for a retail investor. The same logic applies to the larger investors too. Within India, the benefit is offset by the high inflation rate. However, there are many avenues in India which provide great growth avenues - short as well as long term.
Salary increments in US happen at a low rate 2-3% on an average. You will be star performer if its 5%. In India, this average is much higher 10-15%.  So, for someone staying in US, India continues to become costlier while his increments are not happening in that proportion. And this is one of the factors to consider when someone comes to India for good or a short trip. An obvious example of this is the cost of taxis etc. that visitors from US shell out each time. 

(more on this topic later...)

Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

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