Of Living Away from Family...

My views and ideas about the american culture are mostly derived from the movies & television shows that I watch. Hence, I might be mistaken. But it feels like a majority of foreigners (americans, englishmen, etc) prefer to get employed in their hometowns, unless of course, if they are enlisted.

The scenario here in India is different. As an Indian, you will find yourself moving away from your family and hometown at a certain age. Usually it is to pursue higher education, which is fine. But then, you get a job, and almost all the time, your job keeps you away from your family.

As youngsters in a capitalist, ambition-oriented society, we don’t mind this in the beginning. New job, incentives and perks, we are happy to make our lives all about that. Until that longing, the one that is the epicentre of the family unit, sets in. You start missing the people you grew up with and your home.

Again, I’d have to draw your attention to another difference between our culture and that of the US. We live with our parents and siblings, if any, and unlike the americans, its not only when we are unemployed. Our family system is different and I don’t know whether it is for the better or the worse.

One thing I am sure of and thats the fact that staying away from home adds to the stress of our professional lives. We don’t feel fulfilled. I am pretty sure I don’t speak for everyone here. There are quite a few people I know, who were forced to stay with their families in their hometown for so long that they felt relieved when they got to move away.

But thats not the case with guys like me. I moved away after school and have never lived at home ever since. But now, I feel like going back to my roots. And the fact that I hail from a town that might very well be the most boring place on earth, doesn’t make a difference. Its my family I wanna be close to. I want to be present during festivals and holidays. I want to be there to take care of my grandma when she is not well.

Is that a lot to ask for?

My job gets stressful at times. And being away from my family just adds to the stress. I am sure I’d be better at my job if I came home to my family every night after work.

And who’s to blame here? The truth is that there are absolutely no jobs for me in my hometown and I know for a fact that its the same reason for a lot of other people too. Lack of Infrastructure or Industry: we can’t just blame the government for it. Its a populated country.

As a result, lonely hearts like us clamour towards business hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, etc leaving behind the simple pleasures of home-cooked meals and evenings spent chatting away with our loved ones.

This article is for all of you, Indian professionals who are forced to live away from their families due to their jobs.