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Welcome to ”DesiReturn Diaries: Embracing Home Again,” the podcast that shares personal journeys and expert insights on returning to India. I’m here to guide and inspire you as you embark on your own DesiReturn journey. Each episode, we’ll dive into the heartfelt stories of individuals who have chosen to come back to India after living abroad. From the challenges of adjusting to a new culture to the joys of rediscovering their roots, these personal narratives will resonate with anyone longing to call India home again.
We’ll also feature expert guests who will provide valuable advice and practical tips on various aspects of returning, including finance, career transitions, education, and more. Their expertise will empower you to navigate the complexities and make the most of your journey.
So, whether you’re considering a return, planning your move, or already on your way, join us on ”DesiReturn Diaries” as we explore the triumphs, challenges, and transformation of embracing home again.
We’ll also feature expert guests who will provide valuable advice and practical tips on various aspects of returning, including finance, career transitions, education, and more. Their expertise will empower you to navigate the complexities and make the most of your journey.
So, whether you’re considering a return, planning your move, or already on your way, join us on ”DesiReturn Diaries” as we explore the triumphs, challenges, and transformation of embracing home again.
136 Episodes
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Planning your return? Personalize your plan here 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt
Moving back to India after living abroad can feel overwhelming — not because you lack information, but because everything feels scattered and out of sequence. The most common question NRIs ask isn’t “Should I move back to India?” It’s “Where do I even start — and what am I missing?”
In this episode, I walk you through why moving back to India feels so stressful for NRIs and how missing just one critical step — like RNOR tax planning, banking conversions, or documentation — can cost you ₹20–30 lakhs in avoidable mistakes. After speaking with hundreds of families who moved back to India from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and other countries, one pattern was clear: 👉 NRIs don’t lack information. They lack structure. That’s why we built the Desi Return Planner — a free, personalized, step-by-step “Move Back to India” action plan designed specifically for NRIs.
Planning your return? Personalize your plan here 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt
After spending 10 years in the United States on an H1B visa, Ravi made the difficult decision to move back to India with his family. In this candid conversation, he shares the real reasons behind his return — from H1B uncertainty and career stagnation to loneliness, family priorities, and long-term financial considerations like Social Security eligibility.
Join our active private whatsapp community at http://access.desireturn.com/innercircle
What is life really like one year after moving back to India? In this video, Abhishek shares an honest update after returning to India after 16 years in Canada.
We discuss what surprised him the most during the first year of living in India — from adjusting to India’s changing lifestyle and weather, to financial planning mistakes NRIs often make, rising medical costs, and the realities of finding a job in India after years abroad.
This conversation is especially relevant for NRIs, OCI holders, and Indians living abroad who are considering moving back to India. Abhishek talks about living off savings, why health insurance is critical in India, how medical inflation impacts long-term planning, and why networking matters more than resumes for senior roles in India.
If you’re wondering whether moving back to India is the right decision, this video gives you a realistic view — not romanticized, not negative — just honest lived experience.
Join our community, schedule a personalized 1:1 consultation here 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
In this episode, Mr. Yogesh shares his honest, lived experience of moving to the US in the late 1990s, returning to India with a clear plan, spending nearly 10 years building a life in India, and eventually making the difficult decision to move back to the US again.This is not a US vs India debate. It’s a real conversation about timing, career, family, kids’ education, work-life balance, identity, and the emotional complexity of long-term migration decisions.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:35 Life in US
7:00 Planning and challenges during the move
16:32 Life in India 22:20 Why moved to US again?
25:37Career opportunities and work life balance
27:37 What's next
29:220Anything you missed while living in india?
34:09 Advice for future aspirants
Join our active private whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
Many NRIs wonder whether they can still receive US Social Security retirement benefits after moving back to India.
In this episode, we sit down with Mr. ShivaSwamy, who successfully applied for and started receiving his Social Security benefits while living in Bangalore—and he walks us through every step of the process.
This is one of the most requested topics from the Desi Return community, and this video aims to give you clarity, confidence, and a real-world example of how the system works for Indian citizens living outside the US.
Join our active private whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
In this heartfelt conversation, Sahithi opens up about one of the toughest periods of her life—a medical emergency that changed everything. From being a single parent in the US to rebuilding her life in Hyderabad, this video dives deep into the emotional, practical, and eye-opening realities of returning to India after years abroad.#desi #backtoindia #returntoindia #backtoroots #india #nri #usindia #reversemigration #nrilife #nrishaala #startup #movingbacktoindia #NRIstories
Amisha and Rutvik spent 13 years in Canada before finally moving back to India In this conversation we break down the real numbers, the planning, the Canada “exit tax” realities, and the lifestyle trade-offs that helped us decide. We share: monthly budgets, the exact items we budgeted for (household help, two cars, eating out, surprises), how we sold assets remotely, remittance realities, and the emotional and financial conversations between a planner and their partner. In this conversation, they share:
- Our estimated comfortable living budget in Ahmedabad for two (excluding rent)
-Why we sold assets in Canada (exit tax implications) and how we moved money step-by-step.
-How to plan 12–36 months before moving — asset review, tax advice, and transfer caps.
-Real estate: why buying before vs after moving needs careful thinking.
-How to make decisions as a couple (practical vs emotional) and avoid external pressure.
-Tips for moving with large pets and choosing airlines/agents.
Join our active whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
In this conversation, Garima shares her family’s journey of living in South Africa and the UK, and what eventually led them to move back to India after several years abroad. She talks about the day-to-day realities of life in London, including childcare, career growth, social life, and the healthcare system, and how those experiences shaped their thinking over time. We also discuss the challenges of job-hunting from abroad, the role of family support, and how her 5-year-old adapted after moving back. If you’re exploring the idea of returning to India — or simply curious about what the transition looks like for someone working in tech — this story offers a practical and grounded perspective.
Join our active whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
After 12 years at Microsoft in the US, Gopi and Ashwini decided to move back to India — leaving behind a comfortable life, financial stability, and unvested stock options.In this candid conversation, they share their real journey of returning to India, from dealing with medical challenges, selling their home in the US, and re-starting careers, to building a business and raising kids in India. Lot of take aways from this episode, Please check it out
After 6 years in the US, Shipra and her family moved back to India — then again to Europe and back to the US. Hear their story on kids’ education, career shifts & life lessons across 3 continents.
Shipra opens up about their life across three continents, the big decisions that shaped their journey, and the lessons they learned along the way. She shares:
How one movie and one advice changed everything for them
Why they decided to return to India
Their kids’ transition from ICSE to IGCSE, homeschooling, IB and college
How their careers evolved from corporate roles to entrepreneurship
The emotional and practical challenges of moving back and forth Tips on choosing schools, planning finances, and managing taxes when relocating If you’re planning to move back to India or thinking about raising kids across cultures — this episode is packed with real insights and relatable experiences.
📚 Planning your move from the US to India?
We created a step-by-step course for NRIs that covers:
✅ 401(k), IRA, stocks & brokerage accounts
✅ US home — sell or rent?
✅ Social Security rules
✅ Bank accounts, taxes, residency status & more
👉 Check out our NRI to India Financial Transition Course: https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/course-nri-to-resident-essential-financial-transition-blueprint
Join our active whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
In this episode, I talked to Nishka, a true global citizen who left India at the age of 2, studied in five different education systems (French, British, American, IB, and Indian), and eventually chose to move to India for upbringing her children close to family in 2009. She opens up about:
Her childhood across continents
Studying in India after years abroad
Moving again to the US, France, and the UK after marriage
Why she and her husband chose to move back to India in 2009
How her kids adjusted to life and schooling in India
Balancing identity, career, and family after returning
It’s an honest conversation about belonging, parenting, and the emotional decisions behind returning to India after a global life.
Join our active whatsapp community at https://pensight.com/x/desireturn/innercircle
If you are interested in active senior community in India, please fill out the form and we can provide our recommendations https://forms.gle/W9fBSnBhkJizKYbA6
Mr. Ravi went to the US for his studies. After living in the US for 40 years, he moved back to India for his retirement. In this candid conversation, we talked about his background, life in US, what made him consider spending time in India for retirement, how he found fulfilment in India. Lot of take aways from this episode, Please check it out.
Join our active whatsapp community, schedule a personalized 1:1 consultation, group sessions or access our digital course here 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
Amisha and Rutvik spent 13 years abroad before finally moving back to India — and they now call Ahmedabad home. What makes this story special? Rutvik was completely against the idea of moving back. But after 3 years of careful planning, discussions, and evaluation, they made one of the best decisions of their lives.
In this conversation, they share:
✅ What changed their minds about moving to India
✅ How they planned their move over 3 years
✅ Life in Ahmedabad after returning
✅ Pros, cons, and the reality of life back in India
✅ A pragmatic, step-by-step approach to planning your own return
Whether you’re in the US, Canada, UK, or anywhere abroad, this story will give you a realistic and balanced view of what returning to India truly feels like — A truly pragmatic and thoughtful approach to one of life’s biggest decisions
Join our whatsapp community, schedule a personalized 1:1 consultation, group sessions or access our digital course here 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
In this candid conversation, we talk to Anoop and Akshaya who lived in the United States for 15 years before deciding to move back to India. They share what led to the move — from career stagnation and H1B/Green Card uncertainty to discovering better professional growth and family balance in India. We dive deep into their journey — what life was like in the US, how they planned the move, compared healthcare, managed finances, helped their kids adjust, and rebuilt their careers back home. Whether you’re thinking of moving back or just exploring your options, this story gives you an honest look at both sides.
Join our whatsapp community, schedule a personalized 1:1 consultation, group sessions or access our financial planning digital course here 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
If you are interested in active senior community in India, please fill out the form and we can provide our recommendations https://forms.gle/W9fBSnBhkJizKYbA6
After spending over 23 years living and working in Australia and New Zealand, Mr. Kumar made the life-changing decision to move back to India. In this video, he shares his personal journey — what life was like abroad, why he chose to return, how he planned his finances, and what life in India has been like for the past 8 years.
👉 Whether you're an NRI thinking about returning home or just curious about life after moving back to India, Kumar’s story offers valuable insights, honest reflections, and practical advice. Please check it out.
Bilkish an NRI spent close to 14 years in US before moving back to India with her family. Bilkish talks about her background, life in US and why they didn't move in 2022 and moved now. She also talks about how she onboarded both spouse and kid who were not sure about the move. She talks about the planning , selling the house after the move, kids schooling and how Desi Return community helped her with the move and advice for aspirant NRIs who are planning to move to India. Very insightful conversation.
Chintan went to the US for his MS and spent close to 17 years before moving to India. He was working in supply chain/ manufacturing industry. He talks about his background, life in US, planning the move and financial independence. He talked about his reasons to move back to India and how his life is after the move. Very insightful and candid conversation.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:03 Background
2:52 How was life in US
4:15 Why move out of US?
6:45 Pulling factors to move to India
7:46 Planning the move?
10:56 Your framework to determine corpus number?
13:00 Career opportunities for manufacturing/supply chain in India?
16:41 How is life in India?
19:17 Any surprises living in India?
20:47 Anything you would do differently?
22:07 Anything that we didn’t cover?
23:22 Cost of living in India?
25:03 Immigration status
26:55 Advice for future aspirants?
Meet Vishwa who spent most of his time in Denmark. After completing 5th grade, he returned to India and he is currently studying 8th grade. Also meet Suhanth who moved back to India after completing his 3rd grade and he is currently studying 6th grade. In this candid conversation, kids shares: 👉 Reaction when they knew about moving to India 👉 School, social life and sports in India vs Denmark 👉 Advice for other kids
Join our whatsapp community, book 1:1 consultations, group calls or explore our digital course 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
After spending 15 years in Denmark, Havya and her kids decided to do a trial run of moving back to India. It’s been 2.5 years since their return, and they’re taking things one step at a time. In this candid conversation, Havya shares:
👉 Her background and life in Denmark
👉 Why the family chose a trial run instead of a permanent move
👉 Husband in Denmark while kids and her are living in India
👉 How the kids adjusted after the move
👉 The unexpected challenges they faced in India
👉 What the future may hold for their family If you’re considering moving back to India after years abroad, Havya’s story will give you an honest look at the ups, downs, and realities of such a big decision.
Join our community, schedule a personalized 1:1 consultation, or access our digital course here 👉 https://pensight.com/x/desireturn
Gayathri moved to the UK/US in 2005 and, after spending 10 years abroad, her family decided to return to India while the kids were still young. In 2025, they moved back to the US once again. In this conversation, Gayathri shares her journey — why they initially went to the US, what motivated them to return to India in 2015, and the reasons behind their move back to the US. She opens up about her background, life in the US, experiences of raising kids in India, their adjustment, and her own entrepreneurial journey. Gayathri also emphasizes the importance of having a strong “why” for such life-changing decisions and offers practical insights on making a transition successful. The discussion is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone considering a similar move
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