NRI, a Non-Returning Indian?

Are Non Returning Indians, who are aloof to 'real' matters that 'really' matter to India, Not Responsible Indians, asks Kiran Bharthapudi.

Mohan Bhargava, a Penn State graduate, was an accomplished scientist working for NASA, living in Washington DC and driving a luxurious Jaguar. With an impending US citizenship on the horizon, Bhargava was apparently "going places."

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Drawing parallels to the real world, Mahesh Mokire, 25, has worked on a masters' degree in Mechanical Engineering from a reputed American institute. Currently, working for Caterpiler in Illinois, Mokire believes, that he will "go places" living in United States.

An utterly similar NRI way of life adeptly reflected on the movie screen.

However, the similarity between fact and fiction, ironically, stifles here. While it was resolving for Swades's Mohan Bhargava to go back home to "light a bulb," for thousands of young NRI's like Mahesh Mokire, the cliffhanger whether to go back to India or not, remains "a million dollar question."

What makes an NRI, a Non Returning Indian, anyway?

"The number one reason for that I would think is "GREED"- a combination of money and good reputation" says Mokire, who admits that his family, home and sense of greater altruism do call him to his Swades.

For 25 year-old Swadeep Patil, who is working as a IT professional in US since an year, however, issues like out of control corruption will keep him away from India. "There are larger and important issues than just money, and unless and until these issues are sorted out the definition of an NRI is still going to be Non-Returning Indian" he says.

The question of larger inferences then, is whether these Non Returning Indians, who are aloof to 'real' matters that 'really' matter to India, are Not Responsible Indians anymore?

"If we agree to the fact that we won't return, talking about India's progress sitting on the cozy couches, thousands of miles away from India is akin to America bombing Iraq for peace" says Mokire, who apparently suggests that living in India is the first step to serving India.

Mahesh Mudragaddam, 26, working as a researcher for an American institute, on the other hand does emphasize on the need to contribute, to bring about change in India. However, for him, being in India or abroad, should not limit anyone from doing good to the homeland. "Even if you are sitting on the cozy couches, thousands of miles away, your commitment to do something good for India should conquer the thoughts of being an NRI…the will to do something should conquer all boundaries" he adds.

It is a euphemistic argument, which provides legitimacy to most Non Returning Indians.

There are millions of reasons for either going back home or making a home in a new found country. While garam chai in a germ-infested saucer in nearby cafés, maudlin moms, cold-blooded dads, and a night of insignificant repartee among friends entice the NRIs to return home, escalating back balances, incomprehensible individualism, and accomplishments beyond sagacity hold them back- and truth, as blatant as it is, many NRI's find Mohan Bhargava, an "impracticable" character- only to be awed but not to be aped.

There is one line that distinctly separates Mohan Bhargava, from Mahesh Mokire and that is the line of reality. While the scripted Bhargav is no longer an NRI, the Mokire of the real world is still "trying hard not to be" a Non Returning Indian.