Young NRIs born and brought up abroad will always have mixed feelings every time they visit India. Back in school days, one would eagerly wait for summer vacations and spending time with the extended families. That excitement to meet cousins after 2-3 years and playing roadside games with them. Not to forget, showing off new clothes and toys too. The thrill of running behind the ”panipuri” thela was taken back home. And one was lucky to have got the chance to visit India during the festive season because Diwali is celebrated best with family and friends. But along with all these good experiences, NRIs face a few challenges as well.
Problem charging electronic devices
You always have to carry a universal adapter plug to charge your mobile phone, laptop, iPad – for that matter any electronic device, because the pin doesn’t fit in the sockets in India.
Taste of food differs
You have to cope with the taste of food too, as water changes the taste of food. You specially find it difficult to consume dairy products like milk and curd because you are not used to consuming fresh buffalo milk.
Mosquito bites
The moment you enter India and take your first step outside airport you start feeling an uneasy itchiness all over your body because of the mosquito bites. May be mosquitoes find your NRI blood more tasty! Anyways, jokes apart no matter how many mosquito repellents you use, you are still not able to sleep at night.
Roadside garbage and dirt
You avoid walking on road as there is garbage everywhere. You watch people with shock when they litter the road. You wonder why no one pulls them up because back home it’s a crime to even spit on the road and in India, people don’t even think twice before urinating in public.
No traffic sense
Everyday while travelling, you see people overtaking from the wrong side, skipping traffic lights, not stopping for pedestrians on zebra crossing, over speeding and not to forget unnecessary honking. After seeing all this, you start appreciating traffic rules back home.
