tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29153349.post2615417183218706845..comments2023-09-29T04:09:54.831-04:00Comments on Thought Center: Happy Independence Day - 61 years of aspirationSindhu Subramaniamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09426043808886874328noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29153349.post-79037693697990112422008-08-15T20:22:00.000-04:002008-08-15T20:22:00.000-04:00I appreciate your honesty about the sense of belon...I appreciate your honesty about the sense of belongingness. Its natural to feel that way. <BR/>I was born and raised in India and now live in US. I am grateful for the priveleges and rights I have had as an Indian citizen. And I love my country for that. But I also love US for the opportunities I get here. As for the culture and the people - I believe that people are the same everywhere and given some familiarity, you get equally comfortable with any culture.<BR/>You mentioned about people returning to India. Its only because of the growing economy and often has little to do with patriotism or building the country (unless they are in academia). For the same reason, I dont feel a greater pride when I see fewer Chinese return to China than Indians to India - because given a different history and a different economy, it would have been a different present. Again, people are the same everywhere. Anyway, I cant see how it is going to benefit India in any significant way. There is far more talent in India, than the entire lot of Indians abroad.<BR/>That said, I would return to India, if I get better opportunity, a better life. Infact, its not just about India, its wherever I get something better. It sounds selfish but thats how the world works.<BR/>With more than half the population under 25, I agree with you about the youth of India being its strength. Incidently, all that work force is what is behind the growing economy of India and what is eventually going to do India a lot of good.<BR/>IMHO, patriotism should not be bound by familiarity, rather by experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com