Nayrhit Bhattacharya, co-founder of Gushwork, and his wife, Rishita Das, embarked on a journey back to India last year after a period of living in the United States. The couple, who had both pursued higher education in the US after graduating from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, now find themselves juggling their time between their two home countries due to Gushwork’s presence in both India and the US. Meanwhile, Rishita holds the position of an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IISc Bengaluru.
On Tuesday, the couple took to the social media platform X to share their observations in a thread titled “10 Differences We Observed After Moving Back to India.” The thread aims to provide an honest compilation of their experiences, particularly for Indian individuals in their 20s to 40s who are considering a return to their homeland but harboring uncertainties.
One of the most striking differences they highlighted was the
ease and affordability of domestic help
in India. The couple noted that the lower cost of labor in India translates to a significant convenience, allowing them to reclaim 15-20 extra hours each week, a luxury they couldn’t imagine in the US.
Traffic
presented another stark contrast. While acknowledging that traffic in Indian cities can be comparable to major US metropolitan areas like New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago, they found the driving practices and multi-modal transportation system in India to be more unpredictable, leading to overall slower traffic flow.However, Bhattacharya pointed out that
digital convenience
in India surpasses its US counterpart. He emphasized the speed and efficiency of intra-city logistics, with grocery and food delivery services offering quick turnaround times. While the US has similar platforms like Instacart and DoorDash, Bhattacharya believes that India’s digital infrastructure for intra-city services is superior.
Cultural shock
was another element they touched upon. Bhattacharya expressed that forming deep connections in the US proved challenging compared to India, where he found it easier to build meaningful relationships and rekindle old ones.The couple also lauded India’s
digital payment system
, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of UPI (Unified Payments Interface). They found UPI to be comparable to Apple Pay in user experience but highlighted the key difference: UPI is a free service integrated into India’s government infrastructure, whereas Apple Pay charges a 2%-7% transaction fee, a portion of which goes to private companies.One aspect of US life that Bhattacharya confessed to missing is
orderly queues
. He acknowledged that lines at counters, coffee shops, security checks, and quick-service restaurants in India can be chaotic but acknowledged that it’s something one adapts to over time.
Food
presented a mixed bag of experiences. The couple relished the return to Dosas and Biryanis after a period of consuming PB&J and Burgers in the US. However, they did express a longing for the diverse variety of cheese, bread, and desserts found in the US.For those who consider themselves
outdoorsy
, Bhattacharya recommended staying in the US. He acknowledged that India’s infrastructure for hiking, biking, and beach activities is not as developed. However, he pointed out that India excels in providing convenient indoor spaces for working out and leisure activities.The couple also addressed the
LGBTQ outlook
in India. While acknowledging the existence of more accepting pockets in hyper-urban areas, they recognized that India as a whole is still grappling with societal acceptance of LGBTQ communities. However, Bhattacharya expressed optimism about a shift in this landscape within the next five years.Finally, the
