IIT couple lists 10 observations after moving to India from US Viral post

An IIT couple has caused a stir after listing 10 things they have noticed in the year since moving to India from the US.

Nayrith Bhattacharya and Rishita Das, both graduates of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, moved to the US in 2016 for their higher studies. While Bhattacharya currently divides his time between India and the US, where his company Gushwork – an AI startup – is still based, Das is employed as an assistant professor of aerospace engineering at IISc Bengaluru.

A year after returning to India, the couple decided to share their experience on social media.

“To all Indians aged 20-40 who are thinking about returning to India but are full of insecurities: This is an honest compilation of 10 differences we noticed after returning here,” Bhattacharya’s long post on X begins with this introduction.

First, they highlighted that getting domestic help in India is easy and affordable, which they considered a major advantage compared to the United States.

“While I worry about the low labor costs, the convenience is undeniable – 15 to 20 extra hours per week as a working couple is a luxury hard to imagine in the United States.”

Another notable difference for the couple was the traffic in India.

“Traffic in India is not necessarily worse than downtown New York, San Francisco or Chicago, but it is certainly much more annoying, with unpredictable driving habits and multimodal transport slowing down the entire traffic flow. There is no clear solution in sight in the next few years.”

On a positive note, Bhattacharya praised the digital convenience in India, which he described as “on another level.”

“Digital convenience is on a whole different level in India. Quick commerce delivers groceries/food in 10 minutes, food delivery is fast and efficient. Sure, in the US there is Instacart and DoorDash, but intra-city logistics is far better and more efficient here.”

Culturally, Bhattacharya found it easier to build meaningful relationships in India. He found that interactions in the U.S. were often superficial, limited to coffee meetings or work-related discussions.

“I found it difficult to form deep connections in the US – beyond meeting for coffee, drinks or the usual conversations about work and sports. For me personally, it is easier to build meaningful relationships and even rekindle old ones.”

The pair also compared digital payment systems. Bhattacharya explained that while Apple Pay and UPI are comparable in terms of user experience, UPI has a clear advantage.

“This is where digital payments win hands down. Apple Pay and UPI are comparable from a user experience point of view. The real difference: UPI is free and part of the government infrastructure, whereas with Apple Pay 2-7 percent of the transaction volume goes to private players.”

However, there were some aspects of life in the US that Bhattacharya missed. He found the chaotic lines at counters, cafes and security checkpoints in India challenging, but admitted that it was something one could get used to over time.

“One thing I miss about the US? The orderly queues. In India, the queues at counters, cafes, security checks and fast food outlets can be really chaotic and sometimes very annoying. It's a bit of an adjustment at first, but you get used to it eventually.”

A self-confessed foodie, Bhattacharya expressed his relief at returning to Indian cuisine, especially dosas and biryanis, but made a small confession.

“I'm a foodie. Going back from peanut butter and jam and burgers to dosas and biryanis is a relief. However, sometimes I miss the variety of cheeses, breads and desserts.”

Bhattacharya also discussed social acceptance of LGBTQ communities.

“India is still very critical of queer communities. Yes, there are hyper-urban areas where that is OK. But India as a mass audience is still not very tolerant of LGBTQ communities. However, I am optimistic that this will change quickly in the next five years.”

Finally, the couple discussed the labor market in both countries.

“The job market is tough in both countries, but for different reasons. You can get a job, but getting a well-paid job that allows you to have an equivalent house and car here is not trivial. Several of my friends who came back had to significantly reduce their lifestyle.”

Since its publication on August 20, Nayrith Bhattacharya's post has garnered around five million views. The IIT couple's reflections depict the differences between life in the US and India, highlighting both the challenges and benefits of returning to their home country after years away.