Life in the West is Not All it is Cut Out to Be...

harry haller · #1 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 14:01 PM

Posts in this thread were moved from http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/people...ari-sikhs.html

The cost of living is sky rocketing in the west, inflation is getting higher and higher, yes, incomes are high, but personally, I am giving huge consideration to moving back to the Punjab. When I say back, that is not strictly true, as I was born here in the UK.

Given that it is central to sikh philosophy to perfect the art of living, I think I would be more than happy just to rent somewhere modest with my wife, and earn enough to live.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/36680-life-west-not-all-cut-out.html

The last time I went to India there seemed to be a huge two tier system, with a local economy for residents, and a super western economy for NRI money, I would be leaving the UK not to live as I do here , but to live as a 'local' eating copious amounts of aloo prontha, visiting Gurudwaras, and seeing rural indian life away from the KFC's and the Pizza Huts.

I do not understand why anyone would wish to emulate the lower echelons of society here in the uk, the great unwashed who claim benefits without needing, and spend it on satellite tv, take aways, fancy stereos, huge TV's and drugs. Here in the UK we call them chavs, for some reason in India they are known as the rich.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36680

I would not want to go to India to live like a chav...

apologies spnadminji, I have just read your post re deviation, and I have done it too. , feel free to delete

kds1980 · #2 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 14:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry haller

The cost of living is sky rocketing in the west, inflation is getting higher and higher, yes, incomes are high, but personally, I am giving huge consideration to moving back to the Punjab. When I say back, that is not strictly true, as I was born here in the UK.

Given that it is central to sikh philosophy to perfect the art of living, I think I would be more than happy just to rent somewhere modest with my wife, and earn enough to live.

The last time I went to India there seemed to be a huge two tier system, with a local economy for residents, and a super western economy for NRI money, I would be leaving the UK not to live as I do here , but to live as a 'local' eating copious amounts of aloo prontha, visiting Gurudwaras, and seeing rural indian life away from the KFC's and the Pizza Huts.

I do not understand why anyone would wish to emulate the lower echelons of society here in the uk, the great unwashed who claim benefits without needing, and spend it on satellite tv, take aways, fancy stereos, huge TV's and drugs. Here in the UK we call them chavs, for some reason in India they are known as the rich.

I would not want to go to India to live like a chav...

apologies spnadminji, I have just read your post re deviation, and I have done it too. , feel free to delete

Harry ji

Let me answer your question.My brother was crazily smart and a class topper
master of computer application from reputed indian college.everybody told him
that he will be get the best package,now what happened ,he ended up hired by a company who also hired half of its class with same pay.though my brother moved to slightly high paying job but still unable to secure what his dream package is.Now One of his friend told him that one of cousin who did Computer engineering from an ordinary college,was never a brilliant instudies went to USA for Doing MS.Now the guy has 3 job letters in hand from dream companies with salaries ranging from 100k$ to 130k$ .His friend even laughed and said that we guys just fight like dogs for 6-7 lakh rupee job and he has 3 in his hand

My brother who was always against moving outside India have now suddenly changed his mind and have started saying this is the reason why people move outside .At present he has no plan of moving outside India but in future who knows?

harry haller · #3 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 14:43 PM

Kdsji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36680

To clarify, my combined income with my wife last year was 80k UK £ which is about $132K, yet we have not had a holiday in 5 years, and we both drive cars valued at under £1200. Inflation means these figures mean nothing, low interest rates erode savings, rents are rocketing, petrol is rocketing, it is nothing short of a rat race, tell your brother he is better off earning less and spending less and being happy, perhaps we should start a new thread, 'why life in the west is not all its cut out to be'

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #4 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 15:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry haller

Kdsji,

I think we are outstaying our welcome on this topic, but just to clarify, my combined income with my wife last year was 80k UK £ which is about $132K, yet we have not had a holiday in 5 years, and we both drive cars valued at under £1200. Inflation means these figures mean nothing, low interest rates erode savings, rents are rocketing, petrol is rocketing, it is nothing short of a rat race, tell your brother he is better off earning less and spending less and being happy, perhaps we should start a new thread, 'why life in the west is not all its cut out to be'

correctly said Harry Ji. ILLUSSIONS are what people chase...dreams...some turn real..others turn into nightmares...trouble is everybody gets to hear about the DREAM JOB..but the IT Grad from banglore washing dishes in a MCDonalds is never talked about ( He willl say I am Manager of Environemnt in MCDonalds !! akin to Minister of Helath in manmohans Cabinet !!...those early days Punjabis working as janitors at Airports were called Enviornmental Manager !!

kds1980 · #5 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 16:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry haller

Kdsji,

I think we are outstaying our welcome on this topic, but just to clarify, my combined income with my wife last year was 80k UK £ which is about $132K, yet we have not had a holiday in 5 years, and we both drive cars valued at under £1200. Inflation means these figures mean nothing, low interest rates erode savings, rents are rocketing, petrol is rocketing, it is nothing short of a rat race, tell your brother he is better off earning less and spending less and being happy, perhaps we should start a new thread, 'why life in the west is not all its cut out to be'

Harry ji

You can ask admin or mod to start a new topic and shift all relevant posts there.There is no forum on internet where topics are not derailed ,but on various forums mods/admins quickly shift posts as discussions should be kept alive O/W forums start's dying

harry haller · #6 (**permalink**) 18-Aug-2011, 17:56 PM

Kdsji,

I think you just did

kds1980 · #7 (**permalink**) 19-Aug-2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry haller

Kdsji,

To clarify, my combined income with my wife last year was 80k UK £ which is about $132K, yet we have not had a holiday in 5 years, and we both drive cars valued at under £1200. Inflation means these figures mean nothing, low interest rates erode savings, rents are rocketing, petrol is rocketing, it is nothing short of a rat race, tell your brother he is better off earning less and spending less and being happy, perhaps we should start a new thread, 'why life in the west is not all its cut out to be'

If life is bad in UK then why there is still not reverse migration by NRI's? I have discussed this topic many times with different people but not a single person outside India have shown interest to migrate back to India this is the biggest proof that life outside India is much better than India.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 19-Aug-2011, 07:14 AM

:>>>I have discussed this topic many times with different people but not a single person outside India have shown interest to migrate back to India this is the biggest proof that life outside India is much better than India.>>>>>

KDS Ji,

LIFE in India is much "better".or worse..its a matter of individual ( certainly Ambani or Mittal can live better anywhere..and a Beggar can beg in india as well as UK in the same way...).......its the CORRUPTION that is the reason ..Not a Single NRI wnats to move back or at least temporary stay/invest back home.

ALL the "PROSPERITY" that people CLAIM PUNJAB has today..is 90% DUE to the fact that thousands MIGRATED OVERSEAS....decades ago....half to one CENTURY....SIKHS migrated overseas....leaving behind BIGGER LAND HOLDINGS for those who remained behind to FARM....and those who were ABROAD were PUMPING BACK their Hard earned money into PUNJAB...for them to buy Tractors and all....
As the son of a Parcharak and a parcharak myslef, I have been WRITING LETTERS for Sikhs who have families (chachas taiyas etc) back home...for the past 50 years..these people BACK HOME have bene DEMANDING DEMANDING..and demanding...oh sadee majh marr gayee...oh sadee fasal dubb gayee..oh sadda traktor sarr giyah...as an excuse to NOT give a single cent to the real OWNERS (their own brothers chachas taiyas) etc who went overseas...every single letter always WANTED MONEY and more money...and I know many who became OLD earning here and once they went back..they faced DAGGER EYES..AA GIYAH SHREEK..zameen wannddnnee hai isneh..faha waddho isdah...many died under mysterious circumstances...now we the NRIs know its foolish to sleep/eat...UNLESS you SIGN off the Land to the Punjabis..then its OK to eat sleep in their hosues..otherwise...youa re signing your own death warrant...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36680
Cases fo deaths, fights, murders, cheating by making false papers affadavits etc on lands proipoerties abound....andy NRI knows this...and each Punjab Govt pretends to make NRI Sabhas etc..bt its all a sham..becasue those in the Govt are also land mafia grabbing NRI lands... RECENTLY a world Bank report states that NRIs pump back 55 BILLION USD a YEAR into INDIA...this has been happening since the early 1900's....PUNJAB has been PIMPING OFF the NRI's...thats the dirty secret of at least soem of its so called "prosperity"...BUT NRI are still willing to forgive and forget....and coem back and INVESt etc...IF CORRUPTION culture ends..every BEVKOOF from Chaprasee level wants a BRIBE !!! INDIANS SHOULD DEAL with THAT FIRST....VOTE OUT the CORRUPT !!

Ishna · #9 (**permalink**) 19-Aug-2011, 09:36 AM

Everyone has dreams and not everyone can acheive them. Everyone in the world wants money, luxury, beautiful partner, well behaved family, for life to go smoothly, but it's not like that for the vast majority of us.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36680

I can't speak for life in India as I've never been there and don't know much about it.

But I live a modest life in the West and I can tell you it's not all one happy-go-lucky money ride.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36680

There is a lot of competition in the job force, higher education is expensive and difficult, wealthy jobs are stressful, and if you work in a trade industry and you're a man, be prepared for a rough ride because blokes are really mean to each other, especially new people.

I suppose it's the same all over the world though.

It all boils down to an attachment to Maya, I think.