Review of Home alone in America

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From : Rajesh Gopal

Dear Editor,

A very well written article with articulate insights into what an "Indian parent" goes through during the two month baby sitting vacation in the US. However, I am not sure if it is as traumatic as what the author describes it. The writer, with an apt choice of pessimistic words has presented this entire trip to America in bad taste, failing to understand that for every gift that you reach out for, there are obstacles on the way. For instance, the writer says:

The journey begins, in fact, in the crowded hall of a cold and somewhat hostile American consulate, or embassy. the first taste of America is usually the Indian at the counter, who can be rude and abrasive and acts as if he is protecting his own "homeland" from all unwelcome invaders.

Now, how amicable is the relationship which you have with an auto driver in town or with a government clerk that for reasons unknown fails to give the "green" signal for your passport. You are treated with hostility in your own neighborhood, so why do you expect so much in an American embassy.

And, in another place she says....

Once past that hurdle, the next leg of the odyssey begins, strapped into a airplane seat, with little room to maneuver, for sixteen long hours.

Looks like the writer would rather enjoy the aroma of stinking local trains than the discomfort of not being able to strech your leg beyond a limit which even if allowed you normally wouldn't! I wonder how a host of vegetable carrying vendors, noisy annoying beggars and persistent salesmen a better treat than the cozy confinement of an airconditioned airbus.

The life of an average Indian couple (old couples) in India is not so exciting that living in the US for a short time should be considered a curse. Perhaps, the only exciting thing the elderly couple get to do in India is watching the never ending mega serials, which by the way is now available in the US too.

My point is, (although you people are wondering that you never even asked for my opinion the first place ) although the "alien couple" does find the 8-5 period pretty agonizing and boring, the excitement they get upon receiving their children in the evening or listening to stories from their grand children, which by the way they never understand, over shadows the former. No wonder they say happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.

As much as I enjoyed the article and could understand the writer's views, its all about perspective. Half empty she says.....yet half full I believe

Rajesh Gopal
Consultant - Factory Planner
i2 Technologies Rajesh Gopal

The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.

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