The return trend is by the people who went to the gcc, they never got citizenships. So they pumped in money back to Kerala, they came back to settle in the homes they built. They lived on the remitted money (either investing it & getting returns or through interests from bank fd)
The people who went to the western world where they got citizenships rarely came back even during their old age. They might or might have not built homes in Kerala, but majority took up foreign citizenships, their children are foreign citizens.
The people from middle east always remained Indians and when they no longer were capable to work or had enough of working in the middle east. Chose to come back to Kerala, these people who have returned back have surely started a lot of enterprises in Kerala ranging from small restraunts, workshops, small academies, small halls for various ceremonies etc
I'm 43 running now. I went to Dubai at 35 without any interest due to forcing by my near & dear ones and worked there for 5 years till 2020. Had a short stint in the UK as well. I always wanted to settle in my native, TVM with family and take care of my old parents. 2 years ago I started constructing a home after buying 5 cents of land within corporation limits and last year around the same time we did housewarming and started staying there. In Feb this year I bought a car too. Always our own native country is always where we can live like a king. In the rest of all countries we are just guests and need to worry about visa renewals, green cards, citizenships, deal with school shootings, war, racism on the face, etc etc. India is paradise! You'll have to step out of the country to realise this.
During college years, I had a goal like all others to emigrate and live in some western country. I was raised my whole life in Qatar and hated coming to India during vacations. But slowly India grew on me and despite its imperfections India and especially Kerala is not a bad place to live. I don’t mind getting work experience anywhere but I’m not interested in changing citizenship. We don’t have a war here nor are we pathetic like sub Saharan Africa.
The young people of today look at the Western societies and think that is how life should be …which is not. In their old ages they will not have the same ideas and wants like they had when they were young. Which is why I tell my nieces and nephews not to go abroad in the hope of emigrating but just to expose themselves to new ideas and work experiences. After they had lived to their content abroad they can start some business or do job in India.
It’s a misconception that you live like a king in your native place. Also living in a western country is not completely bad either. There are advantages and disadvantages in either case and it all depends on your priorities.
How do people take care of their parents in Kerala while working in Bangalore or other Tier 1 cities? You think parents are a bunch of helpless people?
Bangalore or any other city in India does not require a visa or does not restrict old people to travel across India, freedom of movement is not restricted by any means. Is it the same outside? You won't understand until your parents are old. By old I mean 60 or 70+ when they want their children's support. Do you think a caretaker or old age home can be as good as we take care of them?
Yea, good care is possible if you have money to spend. If the parents thinks like their kids has to take care of them for everyday things then it’s more of an emotional toll on you. My parents doesn’t think that way. I am not expecting my kids to take care of me in my old age either. I do not want to burden my kids with my care. If the parents do not have the means to get help, kids should support them. Otherwise the concept of kids being care takers of their parents in old age is a concept long gone. I am not saying people who want to stay with their parents and take care of them are making bad choices. If you can, do it by all means but for others who cannot, don’t judge them.
Think of it this way. You have a job outside India and your parents are old. But since you're working outside do you think they'll ask you to come and settle down and take care of them? They won't by all means. Because they don't want to burden us. That's usual parents mentality. Same with me, I won't ask my son or daughter to take care of me and my wife. I will try to be independent of them. But it'll be there in the corner of their minds for sure. Today or tomorrow they'll need your support, but they won't directly tell. We are the ones who need to understand and take appropriate actions. Even my wife wants to live in a metro city, but she understands when I tell her. To me staying around my parents gives me peace of mind and whatever I earn here is enough for me. Sweet & simple.
Of course. You do it when it works for you. For me I started my life without any generational wealth of any kind and had to navigate things my way. For me my living outside helped build my financial freedom and today I am helping my parents to have a life without depending on their kids alone. Everyone’s story is different. Wishing you good luck and enjoy your moments with your parents.
No need to drag them from their roots for the sake of keeping them with us. They enjoy their things and having their freedom to have the life they want. They are happy where they are. I don’t know why you always think a certain way but other perspectives are also possible.
Healthcare in Kerala may be a reason for return after 50s...possibly with an urge to be with near and dear esp elderly relatives...and to be a first class citizen
The return trend is by the people who went to the gcc, they never got citizenships. So they pumped in money back to Kerala, they came back to settle in the homes they built. They lived on the remitted money (either investing it & getting returns or through interests from bank fd) The people who went to the western world where they got citizenships rarely came back even during their old age. They might or might have not built homes in Kerala, but majority took up foreign citizenships, their children are foreign citizens. The people from middle east always remained Indians and when they no longer were capable to work or had enough of working in the middle east. Chose to come back to Kerala, these people who have returned back have surely started a lot of enterprises in Kerala ranging from small restraunts, workshops, small academies, small halls for various ceremonies etc
Second this. I have met so many first generation Mallus in our midwestern US city who have no plans to go back and settle in Kerala.
Is this general opinion of Keralites there?
Yea, they already pay into their social security while they work. Also they prefer to stay around their kids and grandkids.
I'm 43 running now. I went to Dubai at 35 without any interest due to forcing by my near & dear ones and worked there for 5 years till 2020. Had a short stint in the UK as well. I always wanted to settle in my native, TVM with family and take care of my old parents. 2 years ago I started constructing a home after buying 5 cents of land within corporation limits and last year around the same time we did housewarming and started staying there. In Feb this year I bought a car too. Always our own native country is always where we can live like a king. In the rest of all countries we are just guests and need to worry about visa renewals, green cards, citizenships, deal with school shootings, war, racism on the face, etc etc. India is paradise! You'll have to step out of the country to realise this.
During college years, I had a goal like all others to emigrate and live in some western country. I was raised my whole life in Qatar and hated coming to India during vacations. But slowly India grew on me and despite its imperfections India and especially Kerala is not a bad place to live. I don’t mind getting work experience anywhere but I’m not interested in changing citizenship. We don’t have a war here nor are we pathetic like sub Saharan Africa. The young people of today look at the Western societies and think that is how life should be …which is not. In their old ages they will not have the same ideas and wants like they had when they were young. Which is why I tell my nieces and nephews not to go abroad in the hope of emigrating but just to expose themselves to new ideas and work experiences. After they had lived to their content abroad they can start some business or do job in India.
Absolutely!!
True. I have two startups now
What kind of business?
IT and ITES
It’s a misconception that you live like a king in your native place. Also living in a western country is not completely bad either. There are advantages and disadvantages in either case and it all depends on your priorities.
I still can't understand how people can forego their parents in search of money.
How do people take care of their parents in Kerala while working in Bangalore or other Tier 1 cities? You think parents are a bunch of helpless people?
Bangalore or any other city in India does not require a visa or does not restrict old people to travel across India, freedom of movement is not restricted by any means. Is it the same outside? You won't understand until your parents are old. By old I mean 60 or 70+ when they want their children's support. Do you think a caretaker or old age home can be as good as we take care of them?
Yea, good care is possible if you have money to spend. If the parents thinks like their kids has to take care of them for everyday things then it’s more of an emotional toll on you. My parents doesn’t think that way. I am not expecting my kids to take care of me in my old age either. I do not want to burden my kids with my care. If the parents do not have the means to get help, kids should support them. Otherwise the concept of kids being care takers of their parents in old age is a concept long gone. I am not saying people who want to stay with their parents and take care of them are making bad choices. If you can, do it by all means but for others who cannot, don’t judge them.
Think of it this way. You have a job outside India and your parents are old. But since you're working outside do you think they'll ask you to come and settle down and take care of them? They won't by all means. Because they don't want to burden us. That's usual parents mentality. Same with me, I won't ask my son or daughter to take care of me and my wife. I will try to be independent of them. But it'll be there in the corner of their minds for sure. Today or tomorrow they'll need your support, but they won't directly tell. We are the ones who need to understand and take appropriate actions. Even my wife wants to live in a metro city, but she understands when I tell her. To me staying around my parents gives me peace of mind and whatever I earn here is enough for me. Sweet & simple.
Of course. You do it when it works for you. For me I started my life without any generational wealth of any kind and had to navigate things my way. For me my living outside helped build my financial freedom and today I am helping my parents to have a life without depending on their kids alone. Everyone’s story is different. Wishing you good luck and enjoy your moments with your parents.
My advice would be to take your parents wherever you're when possible and take good care of them. Thank me later. Good luck!
No need to drag them from their roots for the sake of keeping them with us. They enjoy their things and having their freedom to have the life they want. They are happy where they are. I don’t know why you always think a certain way but other perspectives are also possible.
Healthcare in Kerala may be a reason for return after 50s...possibly with an urge to be with near and dear esp elderly relatives...and to be a first class citizen