A Reddit post by an NRI living in Paris has sparked an interesting debate online after the user shared how moving abroad helped them rediscover their Indian roots. The user, who has been in France for three years, expressed that living away from India has made them feel more connected to their culture than ever before.
In the post, the user explained how things they once took for granted—like Indian food and music—now hold a deeper significance for them. “I’ve been living in Paris for almost three years now, and funnily enough, I feel more Indian than ever. Back when I was in India, I never really thought about my culture much; it was just normal, part of everyday life. But now that I’m away, I appreciate it so much more,” the user shared on Reddit’s NRI community.
Their growing appreciation wasn’t just about food. While they had never paid much attention to Indian music before, the user now finds themselves drawn to it, especially Punjabi music from their father’s side. “I’m Punjabi, but when I lived in India, I never listened to Punjabi music. Now? I can’t get enough of it. It hypes me up like nothing else,” they added. The user noted that even their patriotism had intensified, and they often find themselves explaining Indian food to others, especially debunking common misconceptions like “not everything is curry.”
The post resonated with many NRIs, sparking a wider conversation. Some agreed with the user’s perspective, citing how living abroad often makes people appreciate their culture and identity more. However, others shared contrasting views.
One user shared, “When I came to a foreign country, what I missed was my family. I didn’t care about Holi, Diwali, etc. But I saw other NRIs celebrating Diwali with more enthusiasm than we did in India.” Another remarked, “Moving abroad made me more bitter towards India. If foreign countries can have better facilities, cleanliness, and civic sense, why can’t we?”
On the other hand, a user voiced their frustration about India’s governance, infrastructure, and civic sense, mentioning how the country’s focus on religious matters rather than development had led to a rise in emigration. “I feel like India is creating talent for Silicon Valley through IIT,” they added, emphasizing the brain drain.
Despite the differing opinions, one thing seems clear: living abroad leads many to reflect on their identity, with some feeling a stronger connection to their homeland, while others experience a sense of disillusionment.