Desi Return

Desi Return
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Personal Journals
  • Biweekly

Welcome to the Desi Return! Our mission is to provide support and guidance for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are considering or planning to return to India. On this show, we share inspiring journeys of families who are planning or already returned to India as well as informative content about frequently asked questions related to finance, culture, job opportunities, etc.,. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your move to India and to ensure a smooth transition back to your home country. Subscribe to our show to stay updated on the latest content.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 175 : He Couldn't Wait 3 Years to See His Parents… So He Left Microsoft and Moved Back to India

    Join our private WhatsApp community to connect with fellow NRIs and returnees, exchange experiences, and get practical insights on cities, neighbourhoods, schools, and settling into life in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/services/inner-circle📋 Planning your own move? Get a free, personalised Return to India checklist in 9 quick questions:👉 https://desireturn.com/plannerHemanth built a successful tech career in the US, from pursuing his master's at Northeastern University to working at Microsoft. But even after getting his I-140 approved, one question remained: how long could he continue living with H-1B visa uncertainty?The long green card backlog, limited career flexibility, and difficulty travelling to India gradually changed his priorities. When his visa-stamping appointment for a planned India visit was pushed to 2027, it further strengthened his decision to move back.In this episode of Desi Return, Hemanth shares his journey from India to the US and eventually back to Bengaluru, where he is now building his own startup.We discuss the realities of the F-1, OPT, and H-1B journey, the EB-2 green card backlog, visa-related career restrictions, and how he planned his return over five months.Hemanth also shares how he approached his US investments and bank accounts, his wife's experience finding a job in India, what he misses about life in Seattle, and why he would still choose to study and work in the US if he had the opportunity again.His experience offers a useful perspective for NRIs considering whether to continue building their lives abroad or return to India.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Highlights: Visa uncertainty and the decision to return01:06 – Why Hemanth left his job in India to study in the US02:23 – Adjusting to student life in America04:03 – Finding his first US job and dealing with OPT pressure05:19 – H-1B uncertainty and the long green card backlog07:18 – Working at Microsoft and wanting more career freedom10:19 – The turning point: Visa appointment pushed to 202712:04 – Planning the return to India in five months13:09 – Managing US stocks, bank accounts and finances before moving14:23 – Life in Bengaluru and starting his entrepreneurial journey15:05 – His wife's transition and the Indian job market16:08 – What he misses about the US and the stress of visa uncertainty18:33 – Would he move to the US again? His perspective on the H-1B journey20:19 – Advice for NRIs and families considering a return to India📩 Planning your own return to India?Get one practical email every week for 15 weeks, covering timing, money, schools, logistics, and your first 90 days in India.https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/email-series🌐 Explore Desi Returnhttps://desireturn.comSubscribe to Desi Return for real returnee experiences, expert conversations, and practical guidance on planning a move back to India.#DesiReturn #MovingBackToIndia #H1BVisa #ReturnToIndia #NRI

  2. 4d ago

    Episode 174 : They Moved Back to India. So Why Did They Leave Again?

    Join our private WhatsApp community to connect with fellow NRIs and returnees, exchange experiences, and get practical insights on cities, neighbourhoods, schools, and settling into life in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/services/inner...📋 Planning your own move? Get a free, personalized Return to India checklist in 9 quick questions:👉 https://desireturn.com/plannerSome NRIs spend years planning their move back to India. But what happens when, after returning, they decide to move abroad again?In this special Desi Return compilation, we revisit conversations with nine individuals and families who share the experiences that made them rethink their return to India.For some, it was the difficulty of getting emergency medical care, concerns about road safety, or worsening air quality. For others, it was their children's future, demanding work schedules, challenges in starting a business, or adjusting to a different professional environment.One story explores how access to medical treatment abroad became a turning point. Another highlights something families can easily underestimate: moving back may be one person's dream, but the decision affects everyone at home.These are real experiences, not reasons to discourage anyone from returning to India.They raise an important question: What needs to work for your family, career, health, and everyday life for a return to India to be sustainable?And perhaps the most interesting part is what happens afterwards. Some people who moved abroad again are already considering another return to India.If you're an NRI planning to move back, or someone who's returned and is struggling to adjust, these conversations offer perspectives worth considering before making your next decision.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Why Some NRIs Move Back Abroad00:35 No Ambulance at 10 PM01:55 Road Rage and Air Pollution03:24 When a Child Wants a Different Path04:33 Working India Days and US Nights05:22 A Business That Wouldn't Take Root06:26 Seen as a Woman, Not a Professional07:19 A Diagnosis That Only Came Abroad08:15 My Family Wasn't Ready09:27 Would You Do It Again?10:17 Some Are Already Planning to Return10:41 Two Places Can Be HomeWatch the full conversations:01 A mother of two:    • We Moved Back to India Twice — Here’s Why ...  02 Amarmeet:    • Why Returning to India Was a Mistake?  | 2...  03 Gayathri:    • Do I Regret Moving Back to India? 10 Years...  04 Yogesh:    • Do I Regret Moving Back to India? 10 Years...  05 Nagesh:    • Global Citizensin US for More Than 20 year...  06 Moved back in 2012:    • We Moved Back to India… Then Returned to t...  07 Tamana:    • Canada PR or Lifestyle - Why She Returned ...  08 Deva:    • Avoid These Mistakes: Unsuccessful Move to...  09 Ashish:    • Why This NRI Returned to the US Again Afte...  📩 PLANNING YOUR RETURN TO INDIA?Get one practical email each week for 15 weeks, covering timing, money, schools, logistics, and your first 90 days in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/e...🌐 Explore Desi Return: https://desireturn.com💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf you've moved back to India, what has been the biggest adjustment for you?And if you're still planning your return, which of these challenges concerns you the most?Share your experience in the comments. Your perspective could help another family make a more informed decision.Subscribe to Desi Return for real returnee stories, practical guidance, and conversations about life between India and abroad.#DesiReturn #MovingBackToIndia #NRI

  3. Oct 29

    Episode 173: She Moved Back to India After Canada — What Surprised Her Most?

    Join our private WhatsApp community to connect with fellow NRIs and returnees, exchange experiences, and get practical insights on cities, neighbourhoods, schools, and settling into life in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/services/inner-circle📋 Planning your own move? Get a free, personalised Return to India checklist in 9 quick questions:👉 https://desireturn.com/plannerMoving back to India doesn't always mean life abroad wasn't working.Aeram had a good job, enjoyed living in Toronto, and had built a comfortable life in Canada. Yet, when an unexpected career opportunity came up for her husband, her family decided to return to India.In this episode of Desi Return, Aeram shares her journey from Mumbai to Calgary, back to India, then Toronto, and finally back home again.She talks about why her first experience in Canada didn't meet her expectations, what made Toronto different, and how living abroad changed her perspective on work-life balance.We also discuss the practical side of returning to India — finding jobs across countries, planning a child's school admission, managing savings and Canadian accounts, and deciding which connections to keep after moving.One important point Aeram raises is that India may not be as affordable as many NRIs remember. And while returning brings you closer to family, it can also mean adjusting to a different work culture.Her experience offers a useful perspective for anyone deciding between building a life abroad and returning to India: the right choice depends on your career, family, priorities, and what you want from everyday life.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Aeram moved to Canada twice and returned to IndiaCalgary vs. Toronto and the importance of choosing the right cityCanadian work culture and work-life balanceFinding jobs in India and CanadaPlanning a return with a young childSchool admissions and financial preparationCanadian savings accounts, RRSP, RESP, and TFSACost of living and lifestyle adjustments after returning⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction: The Canadian Dream vs. Reality00:45 – Aeram's Background and Why She Moved Abroad01:43 – Moving to Calgary in 2018 and Returning to India03:00 – Why Calgary Didn't Feel Like Home04:09 – Toronto vs. Calgary: Expectations and Reality05:04 – Finding Jobs and Understanding Canadian Work Culture07:00 – Giving Canada a Second Chance in Toronto08:06 – Why a Career Opportunity Brought Her Back to India09:00 – Finding Jobs in Canada and India12:00 – Planning the Return: Schools, Family and Finances14:15 – Keeping Options Open and Managing Canadian Accounts16:36 – Life Back in India: Family, Costs and Work-Life Balance📩 PLANNING YOUR RETURN TO INDIA?Get one practical email every week for 15 weeks, covering timing, money, schools, logistics, and your first 90 days in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/email-series🌐 Explore Desi Return: https://desireturn.com💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf you're living abroad, what would make you seriously consider moving back to India — a career opportunity, family, your children's future, or a different lifestyle?Share your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to Desi Return for real returnee stories, expert conversations, and practical guidance on planning your move back to India.Disclaimer: Experiences and opinions shared in this podcast are personal to the guest. Financial and account-related discussions are for general information only and should not be treated as individual financial or tax advice.#DesiReturn #MovingBackToIndia #CanadaToIndia #NRI #ReturnToIndia

  4. Oct 29

    Episode 172: From Microsoft UK to Kerala Village. 17 Years Later Story of NRI

    Join our private WhatsApp community to connect with fellow NRIs and returnees, exchange experiences, and get practical insights on cities, neighbourhoods, schools, and settling into life in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/services/inner-circle📋 Planning your own move? Get a free, personalised Return to India checklist in 9 quick questions:👉 https://desireturn.com/plannerHe had a global career across India, the US and the UK, with Microsoft, Ford and 3M on his CV. Then James Joseph moved his family to a village in Kerala. His career didn’t end there; it went somewhere nobody expected.In this episode of Desi Return, James shares:• the 1995 newspaper article that set him on the path to becoming a “professional without borders”• the conversation with his brother that made him realise he was nearing “the point of no return”• his elephant vs. cheetah way of thinking about raising kids abroad• how he kept a global Microsoft role while working from a village, and the 6-month test that came with it• how his three daughters, born on three continents, grew up rooted in India• how a jackfruit tree in his backyard turned into Jackfruit365, a clinically studied flour now used by lakhs of customersIf you’re an NRI wondering whether moving back means stepping back in your career, this one’s for you.CHAPTERS0:00 Preview0:58 The newspaper article that started it all3:45 “I’ve reached the point of no return”9:59 Elephant vs cheetah: why he brought his kids back14:22 Moving countries with kids: what actually helps19:09 Microsoft’s 6-month test21:58 Raising rooted kids: schools, elders and a goldfish29:12 How jackfruit “fell on his head”36:25 Cracking the science: “the third roti is a vegetable”43:01 The fatty liver discovery46:40 Global exposure, local impact49:42 Village or metro?52:49 Final word: break the egg from withinAbout James JosephFormer Microsoft executive, author of “God’s Own Office” (Penguin), and founder of Jackfruit365, winner of the National Startup Award.Thinking about moving back to India? Subscribe to Desi Return for real stories from NRIs who made the move.#DesiReturn #MovingBackToIndia #NRI #ReturnToIndia #Kerala #Jackfruit365 #NRILife

  5. Oct 15

    Episode 171: My Parents Moved Me From Japan to India: Here's What Happened

    Join our private WhatsApp community to connect with fellow NRIs and returnees, exchange experiences, and get practical insights on cities, neighbourhoods, schools, and settling into life in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/services/inner-circleNot sure where to start?Get one practical email every week for 15 weeks, covering everything from when to move and how to manage your money to schools, relocation logistics, and your first 90 days in India.👉 https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/email-seriesHe lived in Japan for 10 years. Then his parents made one big decision, and everything changed.In this episode, Khush shares his honest story of moving from Japan to India at 10: the night he found out, the months of denial, his first day in an Indian school, what he loves and misses about each country, and what he thinks about it all two and a half years later.IN THIS EPISODE- How the news was shared at the dinner table, and his reaction- The first months in India and the question "what are the chances we move back?"- His first day at an Indian school- Exams, languages (Marathi and Hindi) and making friends- Japan vs India: silence, punctuality, food and people- Finding home: family, food and small moments that made India feel familiar- Rapid-fire questions- How he feels today, and his advice to other kids in the same positionCHAPTERS0:00 Meet Khush: born in Mumbai, raised in Japan1:21 The News: "We're moving to India"2:26 Denial: "What are the chances we move back?"3:39 First days in an Indian school5:22 School, exams and languages7:16 Japan vs India: what he noticed10:47 The veg food struggle12:46 Finding home in India16:01 Rapid fire17:09 Looking back: how he feels todayNote: This episode reflects Khush’s personal experience and opinions. Career, financial, banking and relocation circumstances vary by individual, so verify anything relevant to your own situation before making decisions.Subscribe to Desi Return for real return stories and practical guidance for planning your move back to India.✅ About Desi ReturnDesi Return helps NRIs, OCI holders and returnees think through the practical, financial, family, career and lifestyle decisions involved in moving back to India.Our goal is not to tell you whether India or life abroad is better. It is to help you understand the trade-offs and make the decision with greater clarity.Turn “maybe someday” into a decision you can actually evaluate:https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/For Collaboration and Business inquiries:📩 info@desireturn.comThanks for watching!© Desi Return#ReturnToIndia #MoveBackToIndia #NRIReturnToIndia #NRI #ReturnToIndiaFromUSA #ReverseMigration #LifeInIndia #FamilyInIndia #CareerInIndia #FinancialPlanning #Kanyakumari #VillageLife #RuralIndia #Entrepreneurship #V2W #DesiReturn #ReturnToIndia #BackToIndia #MoveBackToIndia #NRIReturnToIndia #NRIDilemma #NRIReturningPermanently #NRI #ReverseMigration #ReturnToIndiaFromUSA #ReturnToIndiaAfterLongTime #BackToIndiaAfterLongTime #NRISettlingBackInIndia #ReverseMigrationInIndia#backtoindia #fire #financialfreedom #culture #careertransition #taxplanning #CareerInIndia #FamilyInIndia #FinancialFreedomInIndia #FinancialPlanning #internationalliving #lifeinindia #FinancialIndependenceRetireEarly #EarlyRetirement #FinancialIndependence#HowToRetireYoung #greencard #canada #australia #usa #h1b #fire #backtoindia #returntoindia #desireturn #nrishaala #nrilife #h1b #expat#finance #fire #returntoindia #kids #careerinindia #japan

  6. Oct 8

    Episode 170: He Left Sweden for India. One Year Later, Was it Worth It?

    Planning a return to India? Get one practical email each week for 15 weeks—covering timing, money, schools, logistics, and your first 90 days:https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/email-seriesAfter nearly seven years in Sweden, Rohan moved back to India in 2025.But this wasn’t a story of leaving Sweden because life there wasn’t working.Rohan had built his career there, experienced the kind of work-life balance where Friday afternoons could genuinely mean switching off until Monday, and had spent years working in the automotive and battery space.So why return?In this episode of Desi Return Diaries, Rohan talks to Avinash about the combination of career, family and practical realities that eventually made India the right move for him and his wife.His return also came with a few surprises.From asking HR for a separate work phone on his first day in India, to getting used to WhatsApp as a workplace communication tool, after-hours calls, Hyderabad traffic and rental prices that were much higher than he had estimated from Sweden — the transition required a real adjustment.Rohan also shares how he approached the move practically: searching for a job in India while still abroad, using LinkedIn cold outreach and referrals, preparing his finances before leaving Sweden, managing his Swedish banking access, and planning the relocation before finally landing in Hyderabad.For professionals in his field, there was another important factor. Based on his own experience in the automotive and EV sector, Rohan felt India offered an increasingly interesting career trajectory compared with the opportunities he was seeing in Europe at the time.But he is equally clear about the trade-offs.Work-life balance can feel different. Commutes can take more of your day. Housing costs may surprise you. And returning successfully requires more than simply missing India.Perhaps the most useful part of Rohan’s story is that he doesn’t present either country as perfect. His experience is about understanding which trade-offs you are personally willing to make — and planning for them before you move.Chapters00:00 Coming Up01:05 From Mumbai to Sweden04:55 When moving back to India became real07:55 Deciding when to make the move09:05 Finding an India job while living in Sweden10:41 Financial preparation before leaving Sweden13:53 Relocating from Sweden to Hyderabad14:56 One year back in India: the reality17:19 Reverse culture shock at work19:48 “Why did I move back to India?”20:37 India vs Europe for an EV & automotive career23:23 Wife’s career, community and life after returning24:51 The India cost he underestimated26:42 Rohan’s advice for NRIs planning a return28:14 His perspective on living in Sweden29:40 Final thoughts Note: This episode reflects Rohan’s personal experience and opinions. Career, financial, banking and relocation circumstances vary by individual, so verify anything relevant to your own situation before making decisions.Subscribe to Desi Return for real return stories and practical guidance for planning your move back to India.✅ About Desi ReturnDesi Return helps NRIs, OCI holders and returnees think through the practical, financial, family, career and lifestyle decisions involved in moving back to India.Our goal is not to tell you whether India or life abroad is better. It is to help you understand the trade-offs and make the decision with greater clarity.Turn “maybe someday” into a decision you can actually evaluate:https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/For Collaboration and Business inquiries:📩 info@desireturn.comThanks for watching!© Desi Return

  7. Oct 8

    Episode 169: Moving Back to India What Should You Ship - and What Should you Leave

    Get a free moving quote and compare shipping options through Desi Return:https://desireturn.com/services/shippingMoving back to India and wondering what to do with everything you’ve accumulated abroad?Should you ship your entire household? Sell the bulky furniture? Take only a few boxes? And once you decide what to move, how do air freight, sea freight, full containers, shared containers, customs and insurance actually work?In this episode of Desi Return, Madhusudan from SFL Worldwide breaks down the practical side of shipping household goods when relocating to India.We cover the decisions families usually struggle with before a move — including what is actually worth shipping, when a full container makes sense, when LCL or a shared container may be enough, realistic transit timelines, approximate shipping costs, customs requirements and Transfer of Residence.We also discuss some of the less obvious parts of the process: what to check when comparing quotes from different movers, which charges may only become clear at destination, original passport requirements for customs clearance, restricted items, packing standards and how shipping insurance works.Towards the end, Madhusudan also shares common mistakes he sees families make — especially underestimating shipment volume, planning too late, choosing the wrong shipping method and bringing appliances without checking whether they will work properly in India.If you’re planning a return to India, this conversation should help you ask better questions before your household is packed into a container.For return-to-India planning and shipping support, visit:https://desireturn.comCHAPTERS00:00 Shipping Household Goods Back to India01:14 What Should You Ship — and Leave Behind?05:52 Air, Sea, FCL or LCL: Which Option Makes Sense?10:33 How Long Does Shipping to India Take?13:54 How Much Does It Cost to Ship to India?18:36 Comparing Quotes, Inclusions & Extra Charges22:23 Transfer of Residence & Indian Customs28:01 OCI, Work Permits & Customs Documents30:42 Restricted & Prohibited Items32:35 When Should You Start Planning Your Shipment?36:17 Desi Return Shipping Support36:49 Packing Tips & Choosing the Right Boxes39:53 Shipping Insurance Explained44:32 Common Shipping Mistakes Families Make49:02 What If You Don’t Meet the 2-Year Rule?In this conversation:• What household goods are worth shipping to India• What you may be better off selling or donating• Air freight vs sea freight• FCL vs LCL/shared containers• 20-ft vs 40-ft containers• Shipping timelines from abroad to India• Approximate household shipping costs• Comparing international moving-company quotes• Destination and customs-related charges• Transfer of Residence eligibility• OCI and work-permit situations• Original passport requirements for customs clearance• Restricted and prohibited shipment items• Packing your own boxes vs professional packing• Heavy-duty box selection• Shipping insurance and all-risk coverage• Common mistakes families make before relocatingCustoms, duties, eligibility requirements, freight rates and insurance terms can change and can depend on individual circumstances. Use this conversation as general information and confirm current requirements with the relevant professionals or authorities before shipping.Subscribe to Desi Return for practical conversations about moving back to India — including taxes, finances, careers, children, lifestyle, shipping and the decisions families need to make before returning.#MovingBackToIndia #NRI #ShippingToIndia #DesiReturn #ReturnToIndia

  8. Sep 24

    Episode 168: Why They Chose Their Native Town Over a Metro After Returning to India

    Planning a return to India? Get one practical email each week for 15 weeks—covering timing, money, schools, logistics, and your first 90 days: https://desireturn.com/resource-hub/email-seriesAfter nearly 12 years in the US, Rajesh and his family finally decided to move back to India.But this wasn’t a sudden decision.The return kept getting pushed forward as his career progressed, the family grew, they bought a home, and the kids settled into school. Eventually, two things made the timing real: his children’s age and his parents getting older.In this conversation, Rajesh shares how they actually planned the move — from deciding that fifth grade was their cutoff, choosing their native town instead of a metro, planning finances and rental income, understanding tax residency, managing an internal job transfer, and figuring out what to do with their US home and 401(k).He also talks openly about the part that was harder to plan for.His wife and kids moved first while he stayed back in the US. The children struggled with school and language initially, their family was temporarily living in three different places, and adjusting to everyday life in India took time.Rajesh also shares why they chose a boarding school for their older son, how his wife handled much of the transition, what surprised him about life in a smaller Indian town, and how his perspective on work and life changed after returning.If you’re thinking about moving back to India with kids, this episode gives a practical look at what the transition can actually involve — before, during, and after the move.Chapters00:00 Rajesh’s journey: Chennai → UK → US00:52 Why the return to India kept getting postponed02:27 Kids, aging parents & the fifth-grade cutoff04:27 Why he always felt pulled back to his native place05:12 Planning for the return years before actually moving06:26 Native town vs metro: avoiding another uprooting08:03 Making work travel from the hometown possible09:03 Preparing the kids for India: language, family & adjustment11:36 Financial planning, rental income & backup plans13:35 Tax residency, move timing & internal job transfer15:46 What happened to the US house and 401(k)18:03 Wife and kids moved first: the difficult first months22:17 Boarding school, schooling choices & settling the children25:02 His wife’s role, small-town life & the reality after returning29:02 Biggest lessons from the move30:30 India vs US work culture after the returnRajesh’s biggest takeaway is simple: you can plan extensively, but not everything will go according to plan. Leave room for things to change — and once you make the decision, give yourself a real chance to build the new life instead of constantly comparing it with the one you left behind.If you’re an NRI considering a return to India, subscribe to Desi Return for more real return journeys, practical conversations and lessons from families who have already made the move.#DesiReturn #MovingBackToIndia #NRI #ReturnToIndia #NRIIndia #LifeInIndia #MovingToIndia #IndiansAbroad

See All (179)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Desi Return! Our mission is to provide support and guidance for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are considering or planning to return to India. On this show, we share inspiring journeys of families who are planning or already returned to India as well as informative content about frequently asked questions related to finance, culture, job opportunities, etc.,. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your move to India and to ensure a smooth transition back to your home country. Subscribe to our show to stay updated on the latest content.

Information

  • Creator
    Desi Return
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    179
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Desi Return
  • Show Website
    Desi Return

You Might Also Like