For many Indians, life in countries such as America, Canada, and Great Britain has long been a dream based on seeking better salaries, careers, and lifestyles. However, recently stories of Indians who have decided to return to India after many years abroad have been gaining popularity on social media.
The reasons for this return are diverse: some miss their homeland, others care for aging parents, a third want their children to grow up in an Indian environment, and some are looking for a better work-life balance. The story of Pankhudi, who returned to India from America after 13 years of living there, also reflects this changing perspective.
Pankhudi and her family returned to India from America in 2023. On social media, they shared the reasons for their decision to return despite the years spent abroad. One factor for Pankhudi was cultural affinity. She noted that in America, she often had to explain her name or origin, and gradually realized how different the experience is in a place where people understand her name, culture, and context without unnecessary explanations.
Concern for aging parents became another significant reason for the return. As her parents got older, Pankhudi began to worry about how much time she could spend with them only through video calls and FaceTime. She emphasized that there is a big difference between communicating remotely and spending time together in person, and this became one of the main reasons for her return.
Regarding visa issues, she clarified that they did not leave America due to visa problems. Although visas were not an issue, there was constant pressure related to visa interviews, immigration rules, and future uncertainty, which became part of their lives and was taken into account when deciding the family's future.
Pankhudi and her husband also thought about their children's future. They began to consider what their children's childhood should be like, what their family relationships should be, and in what environment they should grow up. These questions gradually became extremely important to them.
Life in America was not only comfortable in terms of amenities; both spouses had very demanding work schedules. According to Pankhudi, they both worked daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, in addition to household chores and childcare. The possibility of hiring domestic help in India also made them re-evaluate the possibility of achieving a work-life balance.
Pankhudi stated that the life priorities she had at age 25 had transformed over time. A person can build a certain lifestyle for years, but at some point, they realize that their needs and desires may have changed. The decision to leave America was precisely due to this change.
Nevertheless, returning to India did not mean that all difficulties disappeared. After returning after 13 years, the family had to rebuild their lives from scratch. Pankhudi noted that moving from one country to another is a huge decision, but creating an entirely new life after arriving presents a separate set of challenges.