Why I May NOT Move Back to India (AGAIN) | 10 Years in India After R2I
Ashish spent 10 years in US, moved to India after losing his father, built a successful robotics consulting business for 10 years, then returned to US. His honest journey about work culture, building teams, and why he might not do it the same way again.
Why I May NOT Move Back to India (AGAIN) | 10 Years in India After R2I
Ashish spent 10 years in the US, moved to India after losing his father, built a successful robotics consulting business for a decade, then returned to the US. His honest journey about work culture differences, building teams, and why he might not do it the same way again.
Key Highlights from Ashish's Journey
- Mechanical engineering background, specialized in robotics and LabVIEW automation
- Worked at Johnson & Johnson after startup acquisition in Bay Area
- Lost father in 2010 - took one year to evaluate options before moving
- Started Ariv Technologies before moving - landed 2-3 US projects first
- Short sold California condo at a loss - chose clean exit over complications
- Built team of 10 in Nagpur, worked with US clients remotely
- After 5-6 years, stopped pursuing Indian market due to work culture differences
- COVID enabled remote team independence - returned to US in 2021 on H1B
A Unique Perspective: "If I had to do it again, I might not do it this way. For your family to flourish - like a tree - if you uproot it and plant in a new environment, it takes time to settle. Then you're uprooting again. It is disruptive."
📚 Background: From Nagpur to Bay Area
Ashish's journey began in Nagpur, Maharashtra. His academic background is mechanical engineering with a focus on robotics, automation, and instrumentation.
The Path to US
- Motivation: "Every parent aspires for their kids to grow. We heard about GRE and things evolved."
- Education: Masters in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Oklahoma State University
- Specialization: Learned LabVIEW platform for instrumentation and automation
- Key realization: "In India, nobody asked what you like. Here somebody asked what I like to learn."
Career Progression in US
The Journey
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| First Job | One-man consulting firm in California sponsored his H1B visa |
| Healthcare Startup | Worked for 2 years at a healthcare startup |
| Johnson & Johnson | Startup got acquired - went from one consultant to Fortune 500 |
| Property | Bought a condo in Santa Clara, lived there 4-5 years |
💔 The Trigger: Losing His Father
In 2010, Ashish lost his father in India. While this was the emotional trigger, he was careful not to make hasty decisions.
The Rational Approach
"I wanted to make some decisions but I don't want emotional decisions - they could be a little bit dangerous. So I took a year to decide what could be the best route forward."
Factors in the Decision
- Mother in India: Needed someone to be with her
- Sister situation: Parents staying with daughters wasn't common, especially if son is around
- Entrepreneurial dream: Always wanted to be an independent consultant
- Timing: "If I'm making that big move anyway, why don't I just start my own business?"
Ashish had been building relationships in the US - helping people solve problems without compensation. In hindsight, these relationships became investments that helped him during his 10 years in India.
🚀 Preparing for the Move: Business Before Relocation
Ashish's preparation was unconventional - he started his business before even moving to India.
Pre-Move Business Setup
- Printed business cards for "Ariv Technologies" (named after son) without having the company
- Met all contacts in Bay Area and shared his vision
- Landed 2-3 projects before moving
- Got orientation on client tools before leaving
- Explored job opportunities in India as backup
The Mindset
Backup Plan
"Literally I had thought - if this thing doesn't fly for more than a year, I was even open to open some shop and live there. My dad had some assets I could use. What worse can happen? It can not work. I had gone with that attitude. Otherwise, if I had been very calculative, I don't think I would have taken that decision."
💰 Financial Decisions: House, 401k, and Visa
Visa Strategy
Ashish had his i140 already approved. He consulted a paid immigration attorney - a decision he highly recommends.
Attorney's Advice
Question: Should I get my green card (dates were current) and then go, or go now?
Answer: "If you don't know when you want to come back, you better move now before the green card. Your i140 will stay active as long as it can be, and another company can pick it up if you plan to come back."
The House Decision
Ashish had to make a tough call on his Santa Clara condo after 4 years of mortgage payments.
Options Evaluated
| Option | Challenge |
|---|---|
| Sell at loss | Market was bad in 2011 |
| Rent it out | $3,000/month rent, but if vacant for 1-2 months = big loss |
| Short sale | California law waives balance on primary residence short sales |
401k Decision
Ashish left his Johnson & Johnson 401k as is. Someone advised it wasn't super urgent and he could decide later. He kept bank accounts active for 2-3 years after moving for any purchases or needs.
🇮🇳 Life in India: Building the Business
Ashish moved to Nagpur in October 2011 - his hometown where the whole setup was already there.
Initial Settling
- Wife's relatives set up the whole house before they arrived
- Stayed with them for 2-3 weeks to help buy fridge, TV, wait for shipped items
- Son was 2 years old - adjusted easily, just some initial allergies from tropical weather
- Wife (architect) could finally resume her career - H4 restrictions had prevented her from working in US
Early Business Phase
Surprises and Adjustments
- Expenses: Much higher than anticipated
- Overcommitment: People promise more than they deliver - took a year to adjust
- Work culture: Different dynamics, but being born and brought up there helped
- Missing Bay Area: The ecosystem, pace, technology level
🏢 Work Culture: India vs US Differences
After working with both Indian and US clients, Ashish noticed significant differences.
US Work Culture (What Ashish Was Used To)
- "You want 10 things? This much it will cost. We will have it done in this time."
- Deliver everything as per requirements
- Straightforward pricing and expectations
India Work Culture (What He Encountered)
- Hidden costs that weren't anticipated
- Overcommitment in professional world too
- Different nuances in negotiations
- Need for "little bit more" beyond the stated requirements
The Pivot Decision
After 5-6 years, Ashish made a clear decision: "I won't explore any opportunities within India anymore. We had some systems already delivered, so we'll maintain and support them. But we mostly focused on the market that was already growing for us - the US."
📈 Business Growth and Challenges
The Growth Catalyst
After 3 years of working alone, a family friend asked a simple question that changed everything.
Team Building
- Started with 2 fresh graduates who couldn't find IT jobs
- Grew to 10 team members in Nagpur office
- Engaged with local engineering colleges, conducted workshops
- Joined Rotary Club and industry associations to network
Challenges
Hiring Difficulties
- Finding experienced professionals willing to relocate to Nagpur was rare
- Had to rely on fresh graduates
- People wanted to go outside Nagpur for work
- Solution: Recruit from Bangalore area with promise of relocation after COVID
The Bangalore Decision
Around year 8-9, Ashish decided he needed to move to Bangalore or Hyderabad to find professionals. LabVIEW's India headquarters was in Bangalore. He started recruiting remotely with the plan to relocate after COVID.
✈️ The Decision to Return to US
COVID became an unexpected catalyst for Ashish's return to the US.
How It Happened
- A US client hinted: "We need someone like you in USA. Can you come?"
- Condition: He could manage his India business on the side
- His i140 was still active - H1B approved within 3 months using remaining 1.5 years
- Team was already working from home and had become independent
COVID: Blessing in Disguise
"If I am around them, I will try to force my programming style on them. But me not being there, the team evolved beyond me. I would only get updates and listen to them. When I asked 'Do you need me?', they said 'We don't see you anyway.' That made them more independent."
The Evaluation Process
Before deciding, Ashish and his wife did a thorough "dry run" of scenarios:
Questions They Asked
- What will be the salary? How much in hand?
- What if India team doesn't work out after one year?
- Can wife practice architecture on H4 EAD?
- Can we have a comfortable life even without buying a house right away?
- Do we have emotional support from friends in the area?
👦 Son's Adjustment to US Schools
Ashish's son Ariv was 12 years old (7th grade) when they moved in October 2021.
Academic Adjustment
- School was very welcoming - just emailed, provided details, and he was good to go
- Got a "school buddy" for a week to help navigate
- After evaluations in English and Math, placed in advanced courses
- Indian curriculum was stronger - no academic struggles
Social Adjustment - The Challenge
- Lived in a suburb with very few South Asians
- Had just started going out independently with friends in Nagpur before the move
- Took 6-8 months to settle initially
- Took solid 2 years before comfortable having friends over or visiting their homes
💡 Advice: Don't Decide When Emotionally Weak
Ashish's most important advice comes from his own experience and observing others.
The Critical Warning
"I had friends who wanted to move during family crises. I told them: 'Don't move. Whatever I can help with your parents, I will help. See how far it goes. But take your time and make the decision when you have a calm mindset.' They never moved - when they settled and had rational thoughts, they realized differently."
Key Recommendations
- Don't decide emotionally: Take time when you're at your weakest point
- Be practical: Keep emotions aside, run the numbers
- Ask for help: Within family, explore all options first
- Consider alternatives: Senior citizen centers are evolving in India
- Consult experts: Paid attorney services are worth it
- Dry run scenarios: Plan out what-ifs before moving
The Tree Analogy
The Silver Lining
Despite his caution, Ashish notes a positive: "My son spent 10 years with his cousins. He's very attached now. Although he's born in USA, he has that culture. Otherwise, I see my friends' kids who struggle - as they grow, thoughts are different."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can NRIs start a business in India while living abroad?
Yes, Ashish started his business before moving. He printed business cards, met contacts, and landed 2-3 projects while still in the US. The key is building relationships and getting commitments before relocating.
What happens to i140 if you leave the US?
According to Ashish's attorney, the i140 stays active as long as the company doesn't cancel it. Another company can pick it up if you return. Ashish's i140 was still valid after 10 years in India, allowing him to get H1B approved within 3 months.
Is it better to get green card before moving to India?
Ashish's attorney advised: "If you don't know when you want to come back, move before the green card." The i140 stays active, and you avoid the complications of maintaining green card residency requirements while living in India.
How long does it take for kids to adjust when moving between countries?
Based on Ashish's experience, academic adjustment was quick (Indian curriculum was stronger). Social adjustment took 6-8 months initially and 2 years for full comfort. The challenge is greater when kids are just starting to become independent.
Considering a Move to India or Back?
Ashish's 20-year journey across continents shows that both moves can work - but timing, preparation, and emotional state matter. Connect with others who have navigated similar decisions.
Get guidance from those who have been through the journey - both ways.
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