Life in India vs Life in US- Part 2

Few days back I had written a post on Life in India vs Life in US. Here is a link to that.
Today morning, I got this fabulous email from a reader who has just made my day. Here is what it says.

Kiran, Greetings! This is my first email to you although I must admit I have been quietly reading your blog for a while now. The reason I am writing to you today is because of your blog entry comparing life in US and India struck a close note with me. I have been born and raised in Delhi where I was until I got married 5 yrs ago and came to US. I completely agree with your comments and lack of responsibility on the part of people of Indian origin who have settled in not just US but other countries of the 'developed west'. But I wanted to make sure that you know that there is another league of Indians in US - I being one of them and many many more, I am sure - this are the group of people who will NEVER EVER put their homeland in a bad light. I hold a professional job here and that puts me in contact with people of all ethnicity and races - I never miss any opportunity to bring it up how the indian way of doing most things is the correct one. I am baffled by the culture of waste in US, materialism, lack of family support, higher incidences of people suffering from depression and other mental disorders. At the core of everything and inspite of all the development, basically people are really really lonely and there is no support system to help them. I assure you that the westerners are quite smitten by our culture, our food, our close-knit families, spirituality and ability of Indians to control their spending - something americans greatly struggle with. This is just to name a few. I was recently on a flight where I was flying alone and my seat was next to an older couple. I was so surprised at their knowledge of current affairs in India. The gentleman made it a point to highlight with great enthusiasm that India is the world's largest democracy (I must admit that I was a little ashamed as I had studied this in school and conveniently forgotten). He told me that his father-in-law who must be around 88 years of age - followed Anna Hazare's story on the internet because US channels did not cover most of it. He works as a building contractor and told me that it has been a life-long dream of mine to see the forts of Rajasthan and the amazing architecture. His wife was a psychiatrist and she discussed with me that she thought it was so great that most of the counseling in Indian families are done by parents - people do not, normally, have to go and talk to a counselor for every problem they face or to share their feelings - there is always a shoulder to cry upon in the family. Also, relationships are so much stronger and not futile like in US where people take each other to court for literally anything. When we got off the flight, the gentleman was very kind with his words and told me that he really believes that the west needs to learn a lot from the east, and return to the basics. Just wanted to share this with you and make a point that it is people's own negativity who portray a bad image for India - very often these are the same people who will complain about lack of a social life in US and how they cant celebrate Indian festivals with same fervor as their compatriots in US. What we need to realize is that Life is a choice we make - we are what we choose to be: I can choose to be a pessimist and complain about everything, whether good or bad that happens in life or be a positive person, who is in touch with the reality and looks at the goodness in every person and everything that happens in life. I greatly thank you for your blog posts and writing what you truly feel ~Surpreet "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference"

Thanks Surpreet for keeping your faith in India and Indians. Thanks for writing such a wonderful email. Truly appreciate.
And like Surpreet, I have got similar such very positive responses for this post. Mostly from non resident Indians (NRI'S- reliable ones), who have expressed similar view points about wonderful India.
I do not mind quite readers at all. I know who all come and read my blog. In fact, I appreciate you all. I am not expecting comments. Which is why I closed the comment section. When you readers have something very valid, strong to say, you can always reach me on
kiran.sawhney@gmail.com
I will be very prompt in replying back to you (unless I am traveling).