Nayrhit, the co-founder of Gushwork, and his wife Rishita Das recently moved back to India after spending several years in the United States. The couple, both graduates of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, had moved to the US for higher education after graduating in 2016. Now, Nayrhit splits his time between India and the US, where his company Gushwork is headquartered, while Rishita is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IISc Bengaluru.
After spending a year in India, the couple shared their observations on the key differences between life in India and the US. “For Indian professionals in their 20s to 40s who are considering a move back to India, these are 10 honest differences we’ve noticed after our return,” Nayrhit shared on X (formerly Twitter).
My wife and I made the decision of moving back to India from the US after completing our higher education.
— Nayrhit (@NayrhitB) August 20, 2024
We decided to dedicate our lives to building & researching technologies out of India for the world.
We recently completed 1 year of our stay here.
To all the Indian… https://t.co/zMKQ80VVmU pic.twitter.com/wFIermI1Ij
1. Domestic Help:
One of the most significant differences they noted was the ease and affordability of domestic help in India. “While I have concerns about the low cost of labor, the convenience is undeniable—saving us 15-20 hours each week as a working couple, which is a luxury we couldn’t imagine in the US,” Nayrhit explained.
2. Traffic:
Traffic in India, according to the couple, isn’t necessarily worse than in downtown New York or San Francisco, but it is far more unpredictable and irritating. They don’t foresee a solution to this issue anytime soon.
3. Digital Convenience:
India excels in digital convenience, especially with quick commerce platforms that deliver essentials within minutes. “Although the US has services like Instacart and DoorDash, India’s intra-city logistics are far superior and efficient,” Nayrhit wrote.
4. Personal Connections:
Culturally, the couple found it challenging to form deep personal connections in the US, often limited to casual meetups or work-related interactions. “In India, deeper connections come more naturally,” Nayrhit observed.
5. Digital Payments:
India’s digital payment system, especially UPI, stands out compared to the US. “While Apple Pay and UPI are similar in user experience, UPI is free and government-supported, unlike Apple Pay, where 2%-7% of transaction volumes go to private players,” Nayrhit noted.
6. Orderly Queues:
One aspect the couple misses about the US is the orderly queues. “In India, queues at various places can be chaotic and sometimes frustrating,” they shared.
7. Food:
Both countries are winners when it comes to food. “Returning to dosas and biryanis from PB&J and burgers is a relief, though I sometimes miss the variety of cheese, bread, and desserts in the US,” Nayrhit wrote.
8. Outdoor Activities:
For outdoor enthusiasts, the US has a clear advantage. “If you love hiking, biking, or frequenting beaches, India might not satisfy your outdoor cravings,” the couple observed.
9. LGBTQ Acceptance:
India still has significant progress to make in terms of LGBTQ acceptance. “While some urban areas are more accepting, the majority of India is not. However, I am hopeful this will change in the next five years,” Nayrhit added.
10. Job Market:
The couple noted that the job market is challenging in both countries, albeit for different reasons. In India, getting a high-paying job that allows for a similar lifestyle to that in the US is not easy.
These insights provide a candid look at the contrasts between living in the US and India, offering valuable perspectives for those contemplating a similar move.
