The Return

There have been many cross-roads in my life where I had to decide on the way that, not just mine, but entire lives of my family may lead. The decision of returning from the US was one such cross-roads. The "when" was decided long ago, just before going to the US. I even remember entering it as my goal on my Orkut profile: "Vision 2010: Back Home". It was a long-term goal back in 2007 when I landed on another cross-roads of my life, where I decided to go to the US, and the finer details had not yet emerged. I'm sure many read my vision to be back, and I'm sure only a few, if any, remember it now.

It was not an easy one to make, though, the decision. I loved my life there. I loved my friends there, some of whom did not know that they may "have to" head back. All of them wanted to be there, wanted to make a life there, at least for some time into the future. I was the only one that even they knew who had decided to be back without even searching for an option to be there.

Many of my important friends and relatives wanted me to stay there for a while. The money was there. My family's fortunes could have been turned by my presence in the US. I understand the truth behind the arguments that they made. They love me. They want me to be happy. They want my family up and running the way it did about 20 years in the past. I love them all for the care and affection they still shower upon us. I promise to them that my vision coincides with their vision of my family's future.

The most important ones did what they did the best all through, i.e., to understand, respect and support my feelings for my homeland and my decisions. Some of them reflected that it was one of their dreams, but, they could not make it, alas! It is in their sunshine that I bask; there are no more "words" necessary for them.

Finally, as I did all the times in the past, once again in my life, I followed my heart. It was not an impulsive decision and I testify today, almost two years since I'm back to India, that I am glad and proud for making it.

Update..

The last year had been the quickest of my life. (Hence,) The best too, as I love a busy life. Ironically, I had spent most of that year indoors, sometimes not stepping out of home for weeks! To know how my year can be "faster" than anyone else's year, refer the famous Einstein's relativity quote! :P

I always wanted to read something other than my own subjects in college. Due to various reasons, I could not. Preparation for my exam this time gave me an opportunity to take some time off, officially, from Civil Engineering or Infrastructure or Hydrology or Environmental Hydrology or Climate Change. The joy is not only that this reading is different from all of them, but also that most of it is probably what every Indian must know, and I finally got a chance to know it. Better late than never. It's so basic that it ought to have been thoroughly packed into my long-term memory, like my mother-tongue, by the end of my school life itself. It's about India!

It has now come to the last month for the beginning. The first exam is on May 23rd. With this huge syllabus, it's hard to say, "my preparation is going well." It's going on at its own pace. It had been a long journey. On the way, I met a lot of great people who helped me cut my way through to this point. I thank them all. There is still a lot more distance to cover than I already have. Wish me luck! :-)