After spending 25 years in the United States, one man has relocated to India and revealed a significant deterrent preventing his affluent Non-Resident Indian (NRI) friends from making the same move: India's chaotic traffic.
The individual, who recently returned to India with his wife, shared his insights on social media platform X, sparking widespread conversation. As he and his wife approach retirement age, their friends in the US have been seeking advice about the realities of retiring in India. While he acknowledges numerous positive aspects of life in India, he emphasized that "the horrendous traffic" is a deal-breaker for many NRIs.
He elaborated on the issue, stating that many NRIs possess substantial financial resources that could significantly contribute to the Indian economy. However, they are hesitant to return due to the frustrating and disorganized traffic conditions. He further stressed the hidden costs associated with the country's traffic problems and urged for immediate and decisive action to address the issue.
The X post quickly went viral, generating diverse reactions from social media users. One user commented that traffic and crowds are inevitable in a country with a population of 1.5 billion people. However, the original poster clarified that his concern was not simply the presence of traffic, but rather the undisciplined and chaotic nature of it, citing instances of people cutting lanes and excessive honking. He contrasted this with traffic jams in cities like Chicago, where lane discipline and order are maintained. Another user questioned why anyone would choose to live in a busy city during retirement, to which the original poster simply responded, "Mom".
The issue of NRIs returning to India is complex and multifaceted. A family with a net worth of $6.8 million planned to return to India after 25 years in the US, settling in Coimbatore to be closer to elderly parents and guide their children's future. Concerns about adjusting to social, economic, and cultural changes after decades abroad have been raised by extended family members. Some netizens who had recently moved from India cautioned that the adjustment might not be easy.
Despite these challenges, some NRIs have successfully returned to India and built prosperous lives. One such individual, who moved back to Pune after nearly a decade in the US, built an asset portfolio worth over ₹12 crore and established a passive income of approximately ₹1.5 lakh per month. He stated that he does not regret his decision, valuing the importance of family connections, the ability to care for his mother, and the affordability of domestic help in India.
