Wanted: NRIs in India!

It’s finally happening! It’s a phenomenon that only can be seen in various Indian companies and read in statistics. Young, energetic and ambitious NRI professionals are heading back home. Not only the young and the restless but high profile non-resident Indians are also choosing to return. Nothing new there! So what’s bringing the young and the not so young back?

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

It’s not just about sentiments anymore but also about greener pastures. Pay scales are at an all time high! Thanks to IT and BPOs other industries are offering mammoth salaries. Plus, superior infrastructure and a unique work experience are luring candidates from abroad. Due to a first world country upbringing, young entrepreneurs from abroad have a larger range of experiences and interaction which creates a dynamic work culture. Also, not to forget urban lifestyle in India is in par with any cosmopolitan city of the world. Last but not the least, the sentimental values always works in favor, as they want to be where their roots are.

Anant Pandit, Senior Brand Manager for the Times Group feels that and Indian experience adds a lot of value to the CV. “Everybody wants that extra exposure these days and since the Indian economy is expanding and various sectors are opening up, professionals from all over the world recognize the learning experience they can have here which will be an excellent boost for their careers. It’s a combination of hands on plus theoretical experience”
But it’s not only the NRI executives that make these decisions. Sometimes the stipulate for senior level NRIs in fuelled by the need of certain particular skills which are hard to find in India, so companies dynamically look for people outside who are enthusiastic to return.

NOW WHAT?

Showvick Desai (28) CEO of a KPO, Flight, had never lived in India, moved to Mumbai 3 years back to start his new job. It was an exciting offer with a great pay. But he is still trying to adjust to the new work culture and lifestyle adjustment. “It took me less than a day to make this decision. I was monitoring the country’s progress while I was in the USA and with its rising economy and evolving market, India is the place to be and the opportunity came at the right time. But it’s still hard sometimes as I don’t have many common topics to talk about with my colleagues besides work and I don’t know too many people. Because of these reasons, my life revolves around my work.”
That’s the big catch there!

Even after making the decision to going back, throws up a plethora of inevitable apprehensions are bound to come up.

What will be the work culture be like?
Will the cultural change be too drastic?
Will I get along with the people?



NEW BEGINNINGS AND MORE

Life has to start from scratch all over again. New jobs for the partners, finding home and setting it up, good schooling for the children. All these means a lot of spending and minimal savings. Getting used to a life in India is another issue. Lack of privacy, overbearing traffic jams, crowding relatives are all a part of the parcel

But there are some problems which are a little different. Such as housing!

Steven Patel , COO of Cancom India, who is in the process of relocating to Gurgaon from the US, finds looking for a place a nightmare. “I want to shift to my new place directly once I get there. But I am unable to find a decent place within a reasonable price. There is so much paperwork involved that it’s driving me nuts”.


COUNTRY CALLING

It might sound “filmy” but some make the decision purely on sentimental reasons. They chose move back because they miss their homeland. Nirja Ghosh lived in the US for 12 years, had a great job as a fashion retailer, but she gave it all up and moved back to India. “I moved back because I missed my family, my people. Yes, I did have a much better lifestyle there but it was still living like a guest in someone else’s home” she says.

Whether they say that it’s a professional or emotional reason, every time an NRI makes this life changing decision it’s a combination of both. But all those who did moved back say that after the initial stumble, fumble, getting used to the weather, roads, people, food, traffic jams, work culture and lifestyle , it’s worth it. To live and work in your own place. To be surrounded by our own people. To gain a new experience.
And not to forget, to make some big bucks!