IIT engineer couple’s 10-point social media post on differences between living in the US and India goes viral

Bhattacharya, whose AI startup Gushwork is still based in the US, and Das, an Assistant Professor at IISc Bengaluru, have compiled a list of ten key differences they’ve observed since returning to India.

My wife and I made the decision of moving back to India from the US after completing our higher education.

We decided to dedicate our lives to building & researching technologies out of India for the world.

We recently completed 1 year of our stay here.

To all the Indian… https://t.co/zMKQ80VVmU pic.twitter.com/wFIermI1Ij

— Nayrhit (@NayrhitB) August 20, 2024

The entrepreneur started by saying,  “To all the Indian 20-40-year-olds who are contemplating their move back to India but are filled with uncertainties, this is an honest compilation of 10 differences we observed after our move back here,” on X (formerly Twitter.)

Here are the 10 things he thinks are different when it comes to living in the US and India:

Traffic: While not inherently worse than major US cities, India’s unpredictable driving habits and mix of transportation options create frustrating congestion.

Digital Convenience: India excels in digital services with rapid delivery times for groceries, food, and essentials.

Building Relationships: Bhattacharya found it easier to form deeper connections in India compared to superficial interactions in the US.

Digital Payments: UPI trumps Apple Pay with its user-friendliness and government-backed free infrastructure.

Life Update: My wife, @Rishita38770190 , and I have decided to move back to India, after a wonderful few years in the US. 🇮🇳 🚀

To build a cross-border platform that is attempting to bring the Eastern and Western worlds closer with talent & technology, there could be nothing… pic.twitter.com/wpmQdPaFEl

— Nayrhit (@NayrhitB) August 4, 2023

Queues: Chaotic queues at counters, coffee shops, and security checks require adaptation.

Food: Indian cuisine offers a welcome change from American staples, though a wider variety of cheese, bread, and desserts is missed.

Domestic Help: Abundant and affordable domestic help in India offers significant convenience compared to the US.

Outdoors: Bhattacharya said that India makes it “incredibly convenient to stay, workout & find leisure in indoor activities” while the US is more of an ‘outdoorsy’ country. “If you cannot live without hiking, biking or love frequenting beaches, you will not be very happy here,” he said.

LGBTQ Acceptance: India lags behind the US in LGBTQ acceptance, but Bhattacharya predicts positive change in the coming years.

Job Market: Both countries present challenges, with India offering well-paying jobs but requiring lifestyle adjustments.

The couple’s post garnered over 5 million views on social media, sparking conversations about life in India and the US.