03-15-2005, 02:43 AM
I would like to start this thread to collect the good, bad and ugly of moving back to India. Please post information, resources, experiences etc on anything that is related to resettling in India.
http://www.zdnetindia.com/news/national/st...366,118734.html
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India beckons
Vinutha V, March 14, 2005
While it is not easy to adjust to a new professional and social environment back home, returnees are rediscovering their roots and want to be a part of the country's booming IT sector, says Vinutha V.
For most Indian IT professionals, the US has always been the destination. A major reason for students who left the country and never came back was a lack of opportunities. This is no longer true. With global companies zeroing in on India as a destination for low-cost, high quality work, the scenario has changed. Professionals, who had gone to the US for better opportunities and lifestyle, are packing their bags to head home. Coming back, however, does not guarantee that their expectations can be met, but opportunities and the sense of belonging nullifies the problems of adjustment.
The growth of the infotech economy has transformed India into a hiring destination. Other factors adding to this trend are an improved standard of living and a thriving technology and services industry. The retailing industry offers a shopping experience akin to international standards. In addition, excellent education facilities for kids are now common.
Additionally, the salary structure in India, though not on par with those in the US, holds potential for savings. Repeated portraying of India as an attractive IT career destination by the media in the US is making them aware of the opportunities. After the US recession in 2001, people with two to three years of experience preferred coming back to India, as they could not get good opportunities. Another reason for India's popularity with international firms is their need to keep ahead of competitors in a global business climate requiring a seamless 24-hour customer service.
There are other strong personal reasons: Increasingly, people settled in the US are concerned about their children losing touch with their roots and culture. They are also keen to stay close to their aged parents and be a part of their lives. Although returnees are aware of the salary structure in India, they come with unrealistic salary expectations. It is only for senior levels that Indian companies are willing to pay the US standard for salaries. Industry experts point out that unless an individual possesses expected domain and management skills, the person is not eligible for higher salaries. At senior managerial levels, they can demand a good package from Indian companies-for salary as well as the position.
The scene is however not rosy for those who have been given employment by a body shopping firm. Unless they upgrade their skill-sets, they are bound to face a tough time in finding better opportunities in India. There could even be a mismatch between the organisational structure and the roles being offered. As many Indian IT companies still consider seniority to be a factor in promoting employees, at the age of 40 for instance, they are expected to handle 500 people. On the contrary, a person of the same age abroad would have handled just 25 people. There would be a huge mismatch in roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, having worked in clearly defined roles and fixed working hours, it may seem a little difficult to cope with long working hours in India.
The transition phase that seems too difficult and long initially, is offset by the advantages of being with one's own people and having a secure job. People who find it difficult to cope with the Indian working environment sometimes migrate to MNC offshoring companies, which offer a US-like culture. Indian companies are gradually adopting global practices. The trend of taking care of employees has increased significantly. Since the entire relocation process is handled professionally, returnees are not complaining.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
http://www.zdnetindia.com/news/national/st...366,118734.html
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->
India beckons
Vinutha V, March 14, 2005
While it is not easy to adjust to a new professional and social environment back home, returnees are rediscovering their roots and want to be a part of the country's booming IT sector, says Vinutha V.
For most Indian IT professionals, the US has always been the destination. A major reason for students who left the country and never came back was a lack of opportunities. This is no longer true. With global companies zeroing in on India as a destination for low-cost, high quality work, the scenario has changed. Professionals, who had gone to the US for better opportunities and lifestyle, are packing their bags to head home. Coming back, however, does not guarantee that their expectations can be met, but opportunities and the sense of belonging nullifies the problems of adjustment.
The growth of the infotech economy has transformed India into a hiring destination. Other factors adding to this trend are an improved standard of living and a thriving technology and services industry. The retailing industry offers a shopping experience akin to international standards. In addition, excellent education facilities for kids are now common.
Additionally, the salary structure in India, though not on par with those in the US, holds potential for savings. Repeated portraying of India as an attractive IT career destination by the media in the US is making them aware of the opportunities. After the US recession in 2001, people with two to three years of experience preferred coming back to India, as they could not get good opportunities. Another reason for India's popularity with international firms is their need to keep ahead of competitors in a global business climate requiring a seamless 24-hour customer service.
There are other strong personal reasons: Increasingly, people settled in the US are concerned about their children losing touch with their roots and culture. They are also keen to stay close to their aged parents and be a part of their lives. Although returnees are aware of the salary structure in India, they come with unrealistic salary expectations. It is only for senior levels that Indian companies are willing to pay the US standard for salaries. Industry experts point out that unless an individual possesses expected domain and management skills, the person is not eligible for higher salaries. At senior managerial levels, they can demand a good package from Indian companies-for salary as well as the position.
The scene is however not rosy for those who have been given employment by a body shopping firm. Unless they upgrade their skill-sets, they are bound to face a tough time in finding better opportunities in India. There could even be a mismatch between the organisational structure and the roles being offered. As many Indian IT companies still consider seniority to be a factor in promoting employees, at the age of 40 for instance, they are expected to handle 500 people. On the contrary, a person of the same age abroad would have handled just 25 people. There would be a huge mismatch in roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, having worked in clearly defined roles and fixed working hours, it may seem a little difficult to cope with long working hours in India.
The transition phase that seems too difficult and long initially, is offset by the advantages of being with one's own people and having a secure job. People who find it difficult to cope with the Indian working environment sometimes migrate to MNC offshoring companies, which offer a US-like culture. Indian companies are gradually adopting global practices. The trend of taking care of employees has increased significantly. Since the entire relocation process is handled professionally, returnees are not complaining.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' /><!--endemo--> Firstly but for this post, the article might have been languishing there without catching your eyes.
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> ) has moved to the east coast. The fellow had narrated horrific accounts of Anagana Cheaterji's so called rape; errr... photograph on a cell-phone.