Anjaani Raahon mein...

A funny thing just occurred to me.

Ever since I have been in the US, all the sappy Karan Johar-Yash Chopra-Subhash Ghai movies about the "vides" and the "pardes" and how our des is the best with typical over the top jingoism suddenly start making a teeny weeny bit of sense!
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I know!

This isn't the thing you would associate with me (umm thats if you know me firstly) but it seems to be the most common phenomenon observed amongst students or expatriates who leave their own country for certain reasons, only to realize the value of a certain things they used to take for granted. Each and every person whom I know has travelled to the US in the recent past cries the same old sob story. Note the common theme amongst all Indian student conversations in the US.

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Student 1: Yaar..bore ho gaya..kya socha tha..US mein aake we would be chilling out all the time, partying, studying, earning and enjoying the good life..and kya mila.

Student 2: Totally! Only the studying part turned out to be true..the rest was just hogwash..and what about the food..man i miss that..eating these cold sub sandwiches and pizzas have rendered my tastebuds impotent.

Student 1: I miss the misal paav at _____(insert the college canteen of your respective college) yaar..bunking lectures, going for movies, trying to patao chicks, general lukkhagiri.

Student 2: Not to mention the spicy hot oversize vada-pav at ___(although the word oversize is a clear give-away for this noted establishment, insert whichever stall comes to your mind!) with extra hot chutney with a hint of tamarind chutney.

Student 1: Hmm.. yeah..but more importantly, I miss my friends, my family my building people and the usual gang yaar.

Student 2: ...washing it down with a tumbler full of mango lassi...ummm..yeahhhh!

Student 1: Are you even listening to me?

Student 2: How about the atomic hot pani puri at the roadside chat stall..one gulp of that tasty piece of heaven and KOWABUNGAAAA...you are OUTTTTA HERE!

Student 1: OK dude...seeya later!

Student 2: Wait! Have you ever been to the place where they sell those reshmi kababs for a dirt cheap price..

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Alright. That conversation might have drifted somewhere else altogether primarily because I manifested myself as Student 2.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing can beat Mumbai lifestyle for the sheer convenience it offers in certain aspects.

You want your clothes ironed?
- Call the neighbourhood dhobi and he is there in a flash.
You want your tubelight fixed?
- Call the electrician and he is there before you hang up the phone.
You are craving for a pack of Maggi?
- Call the kirana stores downstairs and he will hand over that heavenly food to you before putting the amount on your monthly "khaata".

Movies, theatre, food, shopping, drives - you name it and options start appearing right in front of your eyes.

You realize the value of smaller things in your own land only when you leave it - be it the convenience of friends getting together (just a call away) or the joy in meeting your grandparents (in your vacations) or the happiness in arguing with your mom and dad over trivial things.

Now when I think about these things, I realize that there are some aspects of life that can be never captured in movies. And it isn't Bollywood to blame. No movie or book (or even this blog, for that matter) can ever capture the true sentiments of a non resident. It isnt just the cliched "maa ke haath ka gajar halwa or the naani ke haath ka aam achaar" that the hero misses about India. Well of course, those too, but the things you miss the most can never be penned down or shown in a movie. Simply because they are not just one concrete emotion. Ask any homesick Indian who hasn't been to India for a long time on how he feels. You will always get a sheepish smile which says it all - "How do you think I feel?"