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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Living social security alert

The accounts were hacked though they are saying that the passwords were not compromised. But still asking to change passwords...

https://www.livingsocial.com/createpassword

Monday, April 22, 2013

When is the THE right time?

My topic of confusion is what probably is shared by many. How do you plan for something in life? A new job or or a new position or even a new place to move to? My experiences are that I tend to get comfortable with the flow of life when there are least disruptions. 

But is that what you want? Is it good to have disruptions at only certain times in your life? I am not sure what the answer is. Sometimes, I feel that most of us are forced to make decisions only when we are cornered. More comfortable I get with things around me, more difficult is for me to take that first step to change the very same things even when I know that I should risk and disrupt. 

Is there something called THE RIGHT TIME? Or we should plan small changes to steer our lives towards the goal over a period of time? I feel that the latter would again slide us into a comfortable flow that would be difficult to change. What are your thoughts?  Is there a right time for change or change just happens?

Saturday, April 20, 2013

A difficult decision


A difficult decision…Whether to stay in US for a short time or for long
Most of NRI’s staying in USA has this burning question at one point of time. It was an easy choice for those who came here in early 70’s/80’s or 90’s as there was a big difference in terms of opportunities, infrastructure and money but now in 2000 era it’s a difficult equation as lot of metro cities in India have seen growth like never before in the last decade. All the luxuries of the world one can enjoy their. The infrastructure is improving with each passing day. The salaries have increased in leaps and bounds. People’s spending habits have changed dramatically. The earlier thinking of keep saving for a rainy day doesn’t apply anymore. Now people want to enjoy their present. With the help of various credit loans it has become very easy to get a car, buy a house and go for vacation to foreign destinations.

So what exactly are the reasons people still want to stay abroad… I believe it’s not just the infra and luxuries but the overall atmosphere. Most of the people who haven’t stayed outside India; they are of the opinion that India is rich in culture and heritage and you won’t get those values anywhere else in the world. The great Indian joint family system ensures family stays close together. Lot of people in India says that there are no family values in USA. After 18 years of age children stay on their own, people don’t believe in marriages or they don’t think twice before going for a divorce. Children don’t take care of their parents when they are old.

But I think that’s not entirely true… until and unless you stay and experience other side of the world, it’s very difficult to comment.

I have been living outside India from last 10 years and I think most of the values especially in middle income class families are same wherever you go. Families like to stay close to each other… may not be the same house but close enough so that they are able to celebrate together or if the need arises they are able to help out each other. Kids staying outside of their homes after 18 years of age; I think it’s more of a cultural thing. American people believe in self independence and they want their children to be self sustaining, mature early in life so that they are able to take on the harsh realities of life later on in a much better way. Many People in India say that parents at abroad don’t spend on their kids’ higher studies which is true but not applicable to all instead I have seen lot of families paying very high tuition fees for their kids out of their retirement savings or they pay a part of the tuition fees and rest the kid needs to take an education loan. I think that ensures that the kid understands the value of their higher education and they complete their studies responsibly to get a better job.

There are special days to celebrate Mother’s Day or Fathers day. Most people in India have issues with that but I don’t see any issue in fact it reminds us out of very busy schedules that we should look back and thank our parents for what they did for us. In fact there is a special day to celebrate for brothers as Bhaiya Dooj and for sisters as Rakhi in India. 

From my experience I have observed that American families are very close to each other and they take care of each other just like the way people care in India.

Obviously there are pros and cons

More to come...



Thursday, April 18, 2013

Welcome to finallyStart...

Welcome folks,

After one year of chit chat finally we begin our journey. I know we don't have any target in mind but believe me that's what I always wanted. As they say real fun is in journey not the destination. There are no boundaries no goals. Unleash your talent and just glide in the air. The whole world is open and waiting for you to embrace it.

Wishing you luck and I hope its going to be an exciting and eventful journey.

Lets roll.

Yours Truly
Amit.