Not every return to India story has a happy ending. Amarjit's journey is a crucial reminder that R2I isn't right for everyone. After 3 years in the UK and 10 years in Canada, he moved his family to Delhi with dreams of a stress-free life close to family. Within a year, a near-fatal road rage incident and his wife's severe asthma attacks from Delhi's pollution forced them back to Canada. His story offers invaluable lessons for NRIs considering the move.

From Delhi to UK to Canada: The Journey Abroad

Amarjit's story begins in New Delhi, where going abroad was never in his plans. Coming from a middle-class family with limited opportunities, he started his own transport business. But his father had other ideas.

"Going abroad was never in my mind. But coming from middle class family, there were not many opportunities. My dad didn't like my transport business, so he was like, we got to send you abroad. Things moved at such a rapid pace - within two months I got my visa and flew to England for an MBA."

The culture shock was immediate and intense. Like most Indians moving abroad, he went from having everything done for him to buying his own groceries and cooking his own food without a clue how to do it.

After completing his MBA in the UK, opportunities were scarce. The goal shifted to earning money and getting settled - something he didn't see happening in India at the time. With zero pathway to stay in the UK, he filed for Canadian PR and successfully moved to Canada within a few years.

Building Success in Canada

In Canada, Amarjit got into real estate and found significant success. His initial goal was simple: make one crore rupees and return to India.

"The goal is always to make one crore. It's almost like, okay, that's the figure that I have to achieve, and once I achieve that figure, I'm going to go back to India."

He ended up making way more than that target. When he called his father with the news, the advice was to invest in a commercial building in India. The rental income started flowing, and suddenly the temptation to return became overwhelming.

The One Crore Goal and Decision to Return

Despite having a good management position in Canada, the stress was taking its toll. Waking up early, working long hours, and never being able to switch off the phone even after hours - it was exhausting.

"Even though I've got a very good position, I'm in a management position, but still you wake up early, you go there, you come back, and even after hours you cannot switch off your phone. Lot of stress."

The primary motivation was simple: enjoy life and be close to family. India offered the temptation of festivals, family functions, and a lifestyle where the only "work" would be collecting rent on the first of every month.

There was nothing negative pushing them away from Canada - it was all about the pull of what India could offer. They were excited about the possibilities.

The 3-Week Move: Planning (or Lack Thereof)

Amarjit and his wife are opposites when it comes to planning. She loves to plan and is very organized. He's self-admittedly disorganized and doesn't plan at all - "but things happen."

The decision came together in a single conversation:

"One day I sat down with her, I'm like, what are your thoughts about going back home? She wasn't very sure about it. An hour later I convinced her - close to family, rental income first of every month, all the festivals. She said yes. Within 15 days we had our house rented out."

The Smart Backup Plan

Despite the quick decision, they made one crucial choice that would later prove invaluable: they didn't sell anything.

• House: Rented out to tenants instead of selling
• Furniture: Stored in one room in the basement, locked up
• Vehicles: Parked at his brother's place in Canada

"Even though we didn't realize it at that time, back of the mind there still was always this thought - what if things didn't work out? So we always wanted to have that cushion. We could always sell the house, sell the vehicles, but it was like, let's go in there, test it out, and see how it goes."

Within 3 weeks of that initial conversation, they were flying to India on a one-way ticket with their two young children (ages 4 and 5).

The Good: Stress-Free Living and Family Time

The first several months in India were everything Amarjit had dreamed of. Life was, in his words, "freaking awesome" with zero stress.

"Life was awesome. Freaking zero stress. I didn't have to work. The only thing I had to do was collect rent."

The Daily Routine

Without the pressure of a demanding job, life took on a leisurely pace:

• Wake up at 10 AM
• Flip through TV channels, read the newspaper
• Chat with people at the office
• Eat out every day with the family
• Go on long drives
• Travel extensively - Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia

"We were traveling so much it was unreal. You wake up and say, okay, we're going to Nepal today, Singapore tomorrow, Thailand or Malaysia next month."

The Financial Reality

Living with his father meant no housing expenses - the biggest cost in Delhi. The only "work" was collecting rent by the 15th of each month, and after that, the only job was spending it.

The food culture was a highlight they still miss - not five-star restaurants, but average local places with incredible food. The eating out, the traveling, the family time - these were the aspects that made India special.

The Bad: Road Rage, Pollution, and Corruption

Amarjit describes his India experience as "the good, the bad, and the ugly." While there was a lot of good, the bad and ugly parts ultimately made staying impossible.

Road Rage: A Near-Fatal Incident

Road rage in Delhi, and North India generally, is described as "horrible." Parking disputes regularly escalate to violence, with people "splitting each other's head open."

"I got into a very ugly scene where my driver got attacked by four people. I had to rescue him. I got full blows myself too. It was very ugly. One of the rods hit me right over here, and the doctor told us if it was like half an inch up, you'll be dead."

This incident, happening right before they decided to return, was a major factor in their decision. The question became: "Is it really worth it?"

Corruption: A System He Couldn't Navigate

After years overseas, Amarjit found himself "rusty" when it came to dealing with India's corruption. His gentle personality, which had served him well in Canada, became a liability.

"You're not even used to it and you don't even realize that person's asking for a bribe. And suddenly everything changes if you don't offer that."

Even collecting rent required a personality change. Being soft meant people would take advantage. He found himself becoming angry like "thousands of other people in Delhi" - a transformation that bothered him deeply.

Later, when considering opening a manufacturing plant in Hosur, South India, the corruption was so pervasive that they abandoned the idea entirely. "It was almost like, not even worth it."

The Health Crisis That Changed Everything

The first 9-10 months in India were manageable. But then came Diwali, and with it, Delhi's infamous pollution season.

Amarjit's wife has asthma. What had been a manageable condition became a medical emergency.

"Close to Diwali, right after Diwali, the pollution level got so unreal. She was in hospital every second day. Every evening she would get an attack. It was horrible."

The doctor's advice was blunt and life-changing:

"The doctor told me, 'Either look for a new place to live or look for a new wife.' I'm like, that's an easy choice, man."

The Stark Contrast

The difference after returning to Canada was dramatic. In the 14 years since moving back, his wife hasn't had a single asthma attack. Not one.

Health and safety became the two major concerns that made the decision to leave India clear. No amount of stress-free living or family proximity could outweigh the risk to his wife's health and their family's safety.

Returning to Canada: A Smooth Transition Back

Thanks to their backup plan, returning to Canada was remarkably smooth. Amarjit's expertise in his field meant he was in high demand.

"It was very easy. The field that I was in, I was very much in demand. I knew the moment I would come back I would have my job. Once the doctor told me we had to have a change of environment, it was not even an option."

He reached out to his former employer before even returning. The response was immediate: "We would love to have you back." He returned to his same position.

The Backup Plan Pays Off

Everything they had kept in Canada was waiting for them:

• The lease was up for their tenants, so they had their house back
• Furniture was still in the basement - just needed movers to bring it upstairs
• Within 2-3 days, they were settled exactly as they used to be

This smooth transition underscores the wisdom of keeping a backup plan. Had they sold everything, the return would have been far more complicated and stressful.

Future Plans: Dubai and Singapore Over India

After returning to Canada, Amarjit quit his job and started a company with his brother. In 14 years, they've built it into one of the largest cabinet fabrication businesses in Canada.

Now at a stage where semi-retirement is on the horizon, India is calling again. But this time, they're not answering.

"We're at that stage looking at semi-retirement, and again India is calling. But we wouldn't want to move back to India. We're looking at options - Dubai, Singapore. We might make those countries a base."

Why Dubai or Singapore?

Several factors make these alternatives attractive:

• Weather: Canada's extreme cold (minus 40-45°C in winter) is tough to deal with
• Taxation: Canadian taxes are very high; UAE has zero income tax, Singapore has lower taxes
• Proximity: Dubai is only 3 hours from Delhi - "almost like having the best of both worlds"
• Indian Community: Large Indian diaspora makes it feel like "an extension of India"
• Infrastructure: Better infrastructure without India's pollution and safety concerns

The family dynamic also plays a role. Both sons are in university - the elder studying nuclear physics in Ontario, the younger planning to join the family business. If the younger son doesn't like wherever they move, they're prepared to pack up and follow him back.

"Our kids' circle is way more than ours, and right now it's all about them. If he comes back, man, we are packing our bags and following back again."

Advice for NRIs Considering R2I

Drawing from his experience of an unsuccessful return, Amarjit offers practical advice for NRIs considering the move:

1. Do a Proper Trial Run

"Before you make that decision, live there for three months. Don't be like a tourist - when we go in December and come back in January, don't do that. Live there for three or four months. Immerse yourself."

The amount of time spent in the Western world means the adjustment won't be easy. You need to experience daily life, not vacation life.

2. Consider Your Region Carefully

Every part of India has its own challenges. What works in South India may not work in North India. Delhi has specific issues with pollution and road rage that may be less severe elsewhere.

3. Keep Your Backup Plan

Don't sell everything. Rent your house, store your belongings, keep your options open. The cushion of knowing you can return makes the trial less stressful and the decision clearer.

4. Consider Alternative Destinations

"Look at these other options. Dubai is only three hours away. It's almost having the best of both worlds. Delhi to Dubai is three hours - it seems like just an extension of India with the Indian diaspora there."

5. Be Honest About Your Personality

If you've developed a gentle, non-confrontational personality from years abroad, recognize that certain aspects of life in India may require you to change. Ask yourself if you're willing and able to make that adjustment.

Impact on Children

With children aged 4 and 5 at the time of the move, they were young enough that the transition didn't significantly impact them. They traveled everywhere with the family and adapted easily.

However, one concerning discovery emerged after returning to Canada: the younger son, who had hated going to pre-nursery school in India and cried every morning, had been beaten by his teacher every day.

"What we found out when we came back a year later - the teacher used to beat him up every day. Sad, but that's the reality."

This highlights the importance of closely monitoring children's school experiences, especially in environments where corporal punishment may still occur despite being officially prohibited.