If India is so great, why'd you leave. - Page 6

@TM I can understand ur displeasure at ur dad's view point n I know I too would have been irked if I was at your place. But I think most ppl in their generation are like these, may be bcoz they didnt grow up in the midst of globalization n liberalization like us...

Now the reason for western immigration- see to each one his own. I am a 22yo FOB, its not even a yr for me here, I left my studies in India to take up a job in US bcoz I had to support my mother's treatment. And the thing I most miss here is also my mom. But I am very patriotic n love my motherland despite its zillions of flaws n I hope 8-10 years down the line I 'll be financially safe enough to return to India.

May be your father too had similar thoughts when he was 19 n may be I too would end up staying here just like ur dad did. May be all immigrants initially do have plans of going back to their beloved country, but then may be as you age your thoughts n preferences change n u take the most financially clever decision. But whatever is it they still cannot fully forget their origin n in my opinion they should not forget their origin...

May be u won't understand this things unless u urself become a 1st gen immigrant to some other country n miss Canada there...

All the best with handling your dad...

Interesting inputs from both sides, cant say anybody are wrong here.

Originally posted by: McNinja

I used to have the same annoyance with my dad when I was an angry teenager. I didn't mind him missing his motherland but had issues with him talking down about the States. My sheltered mind felt one should show some sort of nationalism to the country that gave them so much, what with America being the land of the free and home of the brave, the land of opportunity that he fully benefited from.

But today, a few years down the road, I've realized it's all overrated. And maybe ur fathers had this realization also at some point. As Goethe said, None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

Me, I think being a patriot or showing some sort of nationalism is a waste of time unless we're talking the Worldcup.

Originally posted by: TheBoss

Interesting inputs from both sides, cant say anybody are wrong here.

Personally for me what grinds my gears is when people expect nationalism from me. I was born in the US and grew up in Canada, to me this are my mother countries. My interests, emotions, and patriotism is obviously invested here since I have no bearing to India.

Its no fault of mine like the way some feel strongly about India, I feel and have the same sentiments for US or Canada since that is my home country.

But oftenly people ask me where Im from, when I say US or Canada, they still wanna know where from in India. 😡

Originally posted by: BirdieNumNum

yeah, it sure is a land of the braves, actually was. Like in Chiefs and Indians. General Custer and his types made sure it didnt stay that way😆

of course we are free. Just make sure to pay taxes if one wants to stay free.😆

Yes and what better consolation prize for the Natives, giving them back 2% of their land...And people say we're bullies.

Americans are just as proud of their honey boo boos and snookis though as they are of their generosity towards the Natives, it's a new era and enough to fuel patriotism.

Ha, yes free indeed. In god we trust, all others must pay cash.

Originally posted by: reeha...k

Hi All,

This is just a general discussion and me venting my frustrations, so maybe I'll get an answer to my question here.

Some background:

My dad left India when he was 19, on his own he moved to Holland (Netherlands) and was there for 10 years before he came to Canada. Married, has some kids, etc. He's only been back to the mother land 5 times in that span. He's now 57. That is 38 Years, he's lived abroad- most of his life, and all of his adult life. He's a Canadian citizen, has decent English, is a big Hockey fan, etc, etc.

Issue:

He's so high up on "Mera Bharat Mahan" ideology. I get pride in your heritage, that's fine. But it's to the point where he's literally like: Indian girls don't wear/eat/talk/dress/think/look/act/behave like that, Some of his scentences are, "Well in INDIA..." and I could go on and on and on.

And I've said (Yes, I'm snarky enough to say it) "Well, why'd you move."; "What's stopping you from going back?" - All I get is the death stare, and look from him; my siblings grin and my mom rolls her eyes.

It's a legitmate question: If India is so fan-freaking-tastic (NOTE, I am not saying it is or it isn't that isn't my point) then why have millions choosen to leave? And why are Millions dying to leave?

Cheers,

Reeha

Originally posted by: TheBoss

Interesting inputs from both sides, cant say anybody are wrong here.

Personally for me what grinds my gears is when people expect nationalism from me. I was born in the US and grew up in Canada, to me this are my mother countries. My interests, emotions, and patriotism is obviously invested here since I have no bearing to India.

Its no fault of mine like the way some feel strongly about India, I feel and have the same sentiments for US or Canada since that is my home country.

But oftenly people ask me where Im from, when I say US or Canada, they still wanna know where from in India. 😡

Originally posted by: McNinja

I used to have the same annoyance with my dad when I was an angry teenager. I didn't mind him missing his motherland but had issues with him talking down about the States. My sheltered mind felt one should show some sort of nationalism to the country that gave them so much, what with America being the land of the free and home of the brave, the land of opportunity that he fully benefited from.

But today, a few years down the road, I've realized it's all overrated. And maybe ur fathers had this realization also at some point. As Goethe said, None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

Me, I think being a patriot or showing some sort of nationalism is a waste of time unless we're talking the Worldcup.

Originally posted by: TheTruth

So, the question is, if India is so great why would you leave? That's easy. Pursuit of happiness. People have been migrating to different countries for betterment of their own lives and their next generations. Nothing wrong with that as long as it is done legally. But nationality and culture need not be the same? Unless of course, Canada has that requirement. I believe not.

To the OP - think of it this way, if you are born in Canada, love the culture with the Indian ethnicity (well, skin color at the least) and have head over heels fallen in love with Canada, would it not be natural for a person who was born in India with the inherent Indian ethnicity to hold on to (and think highly of) his culture and values?

At this point, I am just not sure what the problem is.