Watch: My Father Said Don't Come Back - We Still Moved Back to India | NRI

2:45 Are having kids in India, then moved back in 2013 and returned for good in 2014 July. 2024 July, sorry. >> Got it. Yeah, just wanted to make sure. So, you were there back again in 2013. So, you mentioned about I think, you know, it's some financial reasons or something, right? What else like, you know, how did that change? how was the life in US, you know, achieving the dream? >> Yeah, so it was just a massive opportunity for anyone in technology, right? It It literally opened my eyes. Like the first thing I got when I was in 20s 2007 is technology support supporting business. Like when we are here, like even still I find that in our our kids. Like people don't understand that technology supports business, right? We we we think it's about programming and data is like we we don't value data when you are young, someone who starts the career.

3:39 So, still I find in other people. So, they just think program is a program. So, then that's where I I came up with the ideology called business first, technology second, and people always in our meth- methodology of implementations. So, expectation is always it's a dream come true, right? Definitely it was a dream come true. What made me to brave and thrive there is my back in my home like I'm the eldest son, son of a driver, and my two younger brothers are farmers from an agricultural background family. So, my first thing was to build a home, my own home for my father. So, which I did. Married I mean the the life in US supported very very much with the financial situation of our family. Like we got better.

4:31 I built literally like made three

4:33 Marriage happen, three homes, like two different homes for my brothers, made sure like our ancestral lands land or secure like they are not sold. And literally that's what happened with farming families, right? So, to do something we have to touch the land. We didn't do anything. We were able to even buy more lands. So, the financial freedom it gave very much beyond that it helped me with the unique habit which I didn't had, reading. Reading beyond your subject, right? That I learned from my kids. Those all that that's the biggest thing. One is financial freedom. The second part is the habit of reading which helped me change and my thought process, my perception about the world. And that reading habit made me to write about RWR in my idea book.

5:23 And that made me to Ruby also happen. So >> [laughter] >> Got it. So, did you imagine that one day you would move back to India like are you planning to have live in US like you know permanently? >> I was not sure but what what happened is I was there we were happy, got a home, so almost settled. COVID gave a different perspective of life, right? Like I used to travel every year. So, I didn't feel I'm away from India. Every summer we'll be here here in native. Kids were little old when we moved like they were about my son was 12. My he was he was in the seventh grade. My daughter was in in her fourth grade. So, they both were a little older to adapt to the new school system and they had their own challenges. So, I was just waiting for a year before I even decide to sell my home and thing. So, they were okay. They said yes, we'll continue. Then I sold the home.

6:22 Try to plan my move after after my after my selling. I thought I'll be there for additional two years to take care of some financial situations and stuff, but I couldn't. I had to move abruptly. >> So, let's talk about this one event, right? You mentioned about your father-in-law like where you couldn't attend. Maybe you can describe like how it was on the day, like what happened

6:48 Because that's a big emotional. I mean that kind of solidified the decision in some fashion. So, anything that you can share on that what happened. >> Yeah, it was a very difficult situation. I was in Keene and COVID and not every friends or family can come and reach out to us. So, with that too like one of my one of my friends from Kanyakumari. So, he was there. I mean that was a pleasant surprise. Kind of a distance relative. I didn't know until I moved to Keene, New Hampshire. He was there. He came. We booked my ticket like he said like don't take kids. So, for my family I had all the goggles and everything for my wife. He came and he said, "See, he's gone. right? Like that situation to decide things, it was painful.

7:37 She took a call. I couldn't I cannot decide, right? For her. So, this is not anyone can say don't go or anything. So that his his name is Arjun. He still works for CNS. He told which we even today speak about it. So he told you don't go, right? He's kind of a big brother for nearly 10-15 families there in Keene, New Hampshire. So he told better don't go. Take care of your kids. Yes, it will be painful. That really kind of helped in a way to from my wife to decide. So she took a call. We were on the video call. I mean she couldn't cry because kids were there. So I'm not able to describe that situation. I think no one should undergo that that kind of emotions.

8:23 We come here every time when you go back there will be a pain. So no one no families who returns back to US or any other country or any other place even different states from native when you travel back there will be a feeling, right? That used to carry with us every year because we come every summer, right? we were discussing about it. Then I had the W2W idea in my idea book. I told I was in animated dress. I still remember in the first floor. Something came into my head. I said should I should we start the company? So let's register.

8:59 If she would have told no at that moment, right? So I went to her. Maybe if that is the case eventually we may have to move back, right? If the answer was immediate no, definitely this is this would have stayed as an idea. She said yes. So this was the next year after her father's death. She said it was an immediate spontaneous yes. So the next night itself I was talking to one of my friends in Bangalore. I was on H-1B. Definitely I cannot have a company on my name. The idea was there. So I we registered in name of my father and my brother. We started And from there the the journey started. >> Got it. So, according to the plan, you know, your wife and kids would be moving back in 2022.

9:50 So, what was her reaction staying with you know, joint family and without you and going to a village also, right? I'm assuming, yes. you know, kids schooling, what was the What was the feedback from your wife? >> she she I mean, since every every year we came, there was not a very much immediate reaction because but the reality was different because

10:18 My kids were entirely different than my mhm brother's kids because they are US returnees. They have very difficult situations in school. School all we thought through. but one thing which maybe I didn't foresee is like the level of restriction in schools which we have here versus I mean, the freeness in US. Like for example, the first school when we when we where we put our kids, my daughter called the teacher, "Hey, with the name." "Hey, Mala ma'am." Like something like that. They got offended. From there like she didn't She said, "I'm not going there." So, we had to change her school. Luckily for me, there was another school which was formed by newly formed by a US returnee himself. He was a scientist in Texas. He returned. He set up a school.

11:07 It was kind of an American setup. That we were lucky by that. so, we put them there. The original intention was to put them in Amrita Vidyalayam. So, Amrita Vidyalayam is like more spiritual oriented school. So, because they were in US, I thought let they be there because I also was from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayam. So, I was I mean, that's the reason something was behind. So, everything I mean, that service itself was hampered because of that. so, they had very difficult time with the school, and initially we didn't foresee the challenge of kids, but we know how my mom is and things, right? Like that she know how to handle being a elder sister, I mean, daughter-in-law.

11:53 The expectation was there always on her, but one difficulty is even with my father and then grandparents and the kids itself, the difference was there. Like my kids used to call me, "Hey, Daddy." >> [snorts] >> My father don't like, right? A small thing, right? How come your kid is calling you, "Hey." Right? And when they put crisscross legs, my mother comes and questions my daughter. like those those level of cultural things were there. Those we didn't foresee. Yes, we we we had to undergo those challenges, difficulties. My daughter calls me when I was there when they were here. Daddy, we got to get back. Like there were so many instances like that.

12:33 >> So, during that decision process, I think I'm I'm going back to that place. was there any consideration why to go to village, why not to a metro? Yeah, you can start your own company, kids will be like easier for the schools, and you know, these dynamics of culture and everything will be easy for the for the family, right? So, what was the thought process and how did you decide that you want to go back to this village only, and how did you think about the kids' adaptation at the time when you were deciding it? >> When we are deciding, we were very clear we are moving to village because my wife more often says, like when we were I mean, my home is close by a common ground of in my village. Like there'll be a kids who have finished college, they'll be roaming around. So, we used to talk, right? Maybe they don't have directions and stuff. That was always there. Like one thing we missed actually from both of our end, right? We thought our kids will adapt. So, that was definitely a misplanning from our end.

13:32 And the definite plan was we were thinking like should we move back to Coimbatore or Chennai or Bangalore? That was a question, too. Then for that sake then we can stay here itself was the answer when we had because the life will be the same. >> How did the family and friends react when you said that you know you want to move back to your village? >> Friends were questioning that that's the thing from people from US. But here in India, my father was always against and he used to question my my wife because because of her I'm moving. So, he even tried to ask her to move back. >> So, she couple of times she asked I means uncle is asking to move back.

14:19 I said and we were we discussed we moved for a reason then we we would not have done this at all, right? So, then finally it is okay, let's continue. Let's see how it goes. It was like one way. So, not about how it goes and like there you know there was second thought or anything. So, it was just one way we'll have to make this happen. So, that was the thought. >> Got it. And why do you think your father was against the move? I mean you know he should be excited with the grandkids and you know everybody is moving back. So, >> See, it is different in village, right? For him whenever wherever he go when he says like my son is in America, my grandkids are in America, that's a pride for him. So, that he lost. Right? So, that was a big thing for a driver. Isn't it? >> Yeah. >> So,

15:03 >> Got it. So, I know you made the decision. You decided to move back to the village. So, why like you know what was the plan like you know for your wife and kids to try it out first while you're still settling? Is there a timing thing or you're trying to de-risk certain things. What was the thing thought process behind it? >> always the the de-risk is to make sure kids are adapting to the school. So, we had challenges definitely. So, that's the reason the first So, I didn't even put in ICSE like an international school we had close by. Why I don't want to is like again it's the same cycle of things happens there. I just want them to understand our culture and want to be the but either in Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya or Amrita Vidyalaya. So, that was my intention because I am from there. So, you you get your foundation right is was my belief.

16:00 I could be wrong, right? That that's a that's a very very reason for for >> And why the move in November then? I mean, I would expect like you know with the kids you could have moved earlier, you know, with the school academic year and all that stuff. Like what happened and why in November of >> November 2022 I think if it is not November or just the second anniversary of my wife's father's death like around October 20th. So, if I'm not wrong. Not November. That's my bad. So, just before so she could join that anniversary of her father's and that's where it was. It was Yes, it was half the way in the schooling year. I think that was there any reason? Maybe one thing is before winter because another thing could be before winter.

16:50 So, winter is really bad and for me somehow I had what I mean that's again my experience or my belief. Kids can thrive if they have a clean habit. So, that's studies was secondary for me. So, that's again based on my upbringing. So, my grandpa always say if you have a clean habit, you'll you'll thrive. It's not about mark. So, still I don't enforce them. Even even recently once my my son got a bad mark in his math. He's a very good kid by the way. Always she they used to both of them used to drop three. so he was a low mark, we didn't say anything. So so they learned >> those things. So that's that's that's the thing. So and I think what were some of the fears when you're making this big move?

17:37 Like what was holding you off? Like what were some fears making this decision? >> fear was there. Big thing is the finance stuff because right from my career start I I didn't

17:50 Look after my financial security. So I was first looking after something I need to clear off my father's debt. That was my first goal. And definitely my wife supported in every my move. At any cost my wife is going to be backing me. So that is one. Two, worst case scenario what could happen if I lose everything? That was in my mind too. Maybe worst case I'll ask my father to sell a land because he will do for me. So that is also was there. >> so we were thinking right? The risk Yes, it is not going to be an immediate money making mission or anything. It's a entirely different mission on purpose. So I made all the six years. So that's the reason I'm staying without funding external funding and anything. Whatever it is certain time even my wife Joel has supported with running the paycheck.

18:42 So all all such things happen in all in last >> six years. So what were some of the planning? I know you mentioned you have a house. Maybe we can talk about some of the planning side, logistics, financial. How did you plan the move? Like you know, >> So the house a year I mean that the six month before my move to Arizona I sold the house. >> Okay. So it was really at a better profit I sold. so that was a good thing happened. so I had the money. so I was able to invest into the company. I invested on an 18-acre land. by then, I mean, that happened.

19:29 Houses houses are all all good. But my move is something which is totally unexpected or unplanned. So from financial perspective, I I made sure I mean, I moved my 401k also before that. I cleared it off because I had I need to invest into the company. Like that's the very reason. So those all was there and I was building two homes. We were in last, I mean, after my wife moved. So we we understand everything like just to keep the family together. We were we are still very close. Still we run things together, but we stayed away because the culturally things were different. nothing to do with any other things. so we we had three different homes. that happened. So many things happened together by the time I I was moving. So it was not easy.

20:19 I was handling like the situation at the company. There was two homes getting constructed in parallel and my move. So all all happened all together. >> Got it. If that was not abrupt, right, because of the situation that you had with the company, what was the plan? Like, you know, was there some milestone that you're looking at from a kid's closing or from other other aspects that you wanted to achieve before making the move? >> Yes, so maybe I would have in a better financial situation, I would say. All right? So it was 200 plus K my salary was 200 K plus annually. so I was saving well like when you are living alone, right? so it would have been a better better position financially. So my goal was to stay those two years.

21:06 So that the commitment to the company whatever that the new employer

21:10 Is served that was my my goal. >> Yes. >> So now let's talk about your village. You know what makes it special for you? Why it's interesting that your wife is also on board to be there to make an impact like yeah, let's talk >> So luckily my my home and my wife's home is like just half a kilometer away. So the next next village. In fact it was a love marriage. So she used to come to my village for tuition. I saw her but not like these days. I told my grandpa so I I like this girl. He said okay the girl from that family then good. So it was very even he was my kind of a friend or a godfather I would say, right? So his name is Swami Vivekananda. I mean he kind of groomed me with who I am plus my Vivekananda the life in Kendra so which is another thing.

22:07 And the stories from Nivedita Didi like she is a Padmashri awardee now and she's the one who opened this office for us when I after I after my move. So the village what is special I mean the I mean like I used to walk in our farmland I mean ancestral land in my mornings. So whenever I walk I used to always think my ancestors walked here, right? So that feel will be there. I mean that is one thing. My grandpa's presence like all those remembrance. So you stay who you are. You contain yourself to that place one. And very nice thing is my son go get the fresh stuff from our farm, right? So this I mean even now like we have the cashew nut tree behind us. He throws stone get the cashew fruit throw the nut day, under the tree or take it to my father. So, he eats. And we have the German and the gooseberries. Like all you get fresh.

23:10 Milk you get fresh, right? That is amazing thing what what you get in village plus the fresh air. >> That's that's I mean you cannot I mean money cannot buy it. So, that's for sure. I know you kind of mentioned about couple of times on the kids side, right? Like I mean you had this expectation that kids can thrive. You wanted to put them in CBSE or like you know in the local cultural thing. So, how did they adapt? What changed? I know you kind of mentioned also like you have to move them the schools and all that stuff. Are the schools in the village itself or they have to travel some distance, you know, for the >> Yeah, so that's a good question, right? Like for me what decided me to put them also there, right? See, one thing reminded me after I read that Sridhar Vembu's post is like I'm also from a village. Those days we didn't had any internet or anything. Right? I thrived and I'm now in Atlanta.

24:06 So, my kids they have 10 years of their life and the foundation is there set. They they are very well versed with English and other things. Not like me. They can thrive one. For me that foundation got to be there. So, the school is either Kendra or CBSE in Amrita Vidyalayam. So, that was clear. So, we were just trying to make them adapt between in between we had to change the school then we brought them to Amrita Vidyalayam. So, that was very clear. So, they have to travel from my village school bus comes right near my home. So, they they travel about not too far like 5-6 kilometers 20 20 minutes 20-25 minutes or so. So. >> So, the Kanyakumari is where the Okay. >> Yes, Kanyakumari. Yes. >> Got it. And so, it's about 20 minutes of a drive for them. >> It's 6-7 kilometers but a school bus picks different kids from different places, right? So, >> How did they adapt with the languages especially you know you know son and daughter like you know they are in a higher grade so how did they adapt with the languages and all that?

25:04 >> It was difficult they have adapted well I would say like both Hindi Tamil and Sanskrit. So they they are clearing their subjects in the exams. My daughter has come along well with her her handwriting also. My son is in his 10th grade the handwriting is a biggest challenge still but he has adapted even yesterday he was studying Tamil. He puts his hours around 11 11:30 he went to bed I think I think that effort from there and I really helped. Another one good thing what we had right from my life in Atlanta is Monday [snorts] through Friday night we don't turn on TV in our home.

25:49 So that helped them to be with the books. So they [snorts] go play out come back just they take their books and things like there is no diversion or anything. So that is another thing which gave them time in the evening to put their extra hours to put and learn these new languages. Did we had some I mean we had some external tutor for online tutor for Hindi Tamil my wife managed. So that's how we we cope up with the language stuff. And was there any day like you or the kids felt like the family right felt like why did we make this decision? I mean we used to that that comes maybe every three month once or so. We were very happy very settled I mean Keene is heaven I mean that's how I I define it in in because I have I've been in Virginia Georgia Arizona Keene New Hampshire

26:51 Is very pleasant place to raise kids. Means even still I remember like the day one I was in a store someone mentioned like this is the right place for you to raise your kids. so and our own home you had everything. So that that comes more often. Even now when my daughter has some tough time you brought me this to to here and putting all this I had to undergo all this, >> [clears throat] >> But I said like that's how life is going to be. Right? You when you are at the young age able to adapt to this, you'll be you're up for the challenges in your future. So

27:30 I'd try to console her. Sometime like if she gets something negative from my mother. So that's when she it comes. So these all happens in life, Babu. So we we got to learn from these things, right? >> Still still it comes and goes definitely. So let's talk about your company V2W, Village to World. So how easy was it building in the village you know, from a talent, from running it, like you know, all that? >> If the attitude to learn is there, it's easy to embed the skill. Another one thing in last six year I found is given an opportunity without any external pressure or anything, micromanagement or anything, human can thrive. Because I have a guy in last six month.

28:23 He is he had some manual accounting experience. He had to go to Chennai. He tried Rapido and all all things. He I mean he was a reference of one of my existing guys. He came in. He's thriving in Zoho Books. Now in Zoho ERP also he is doing amazingly well because he has that real experience in store accounting and other things. And now and he has a very decent English. So it's been 6 years. Have you ever thought like why I wanted to do this in village if I have done it in a metro it would have been better. I mean any time that thought occurred to you? >> Yes, when you because it is from village not the customers believes you, right?

29:09 No one will believe you and no one want to risk also. Isn't it? So the initial phase luckily I had one of my ex-boss and his friends. He was setting a setting up a food delivery company right after COVID a foody a company called a foody. But it didn't take off the first year he gave an opportunity for us to test the water. Guys came along well because another very good thing is knowing this mission three important people right from to start of the company like two ex-Wipro girls Vidya and Vijay Shobhana. They was part of it and the very important one is my mentor Mr. Naval Sabavala. He is an ex-army man and he is an ex-global executive from Ramco system.

30:02 He just came and supported me just because of this mission village to world empowering rural talent. So these three humans really helped the initial phase of the company because I was there. They they actually they are the foundation of of this because the rest everyone were from local local village talent. And now we are literally I mean the quality what we do things is entirely different. I have even I'm I'm

30:33 Interviewing the experienced candidate, right? Whatever our guys are off you cannot expect that from market. So, that is it. >> Got it. So, now let's talk I think in the village, right? I think you know, the family living there for almost 2 years. What were some of I know you kind of mentioned about the pros, the fresh thing everything. What are some of the cons that you family have to go through you know, living in a village? >> One is with the different family opinions, right? Like that is that one difficult thing. No one thinks in your line. Getting along with people was different difficult. So, I don't have I mean I moved back after 1997 to my village for full time. Okay. So, I finished my 12th grade and I moved back moved to Salem then and Tiruvannamalai then Chennai, Bangalore, US and back to village. By

31:34 The time it was 25 years, 24 plus years. I didn't had any friends local. so, I talk I mean my circle was very limited between my two brothers and their families and those kids. Trying to get along with the extended family, it was difficult. The way I speak, people perceive differently. Even today my son's Tamil sometime hurts people. Like those are the difficult like with the culturally we are yet to fully adapt or people try or like people stamp you differently. those those all are like those all are pain points. Maybe people little civic sense is missing. >> Now, it's been 2 years. I know you were father was a bit hesitant for you to move here. Has that changed now seeing

32:25 The success of V2W or like the kids and all that stuff? >> Definitely. So, once he came out of excitement, he told me like we after of I mean for the fifth anniversary of the company, we had a bag where it says Zoho partner, V2W village to world, empowering rural talents and stuff. He used to carry his water bottle in that bag. So, in Kanyakumari, someone has asked seeing the Zoho logo, right? To him, what is that? So, no, my son's company bag, he said. That's when he said he I mean, he felt he I mean, the way he expressed, I know, right? He felt something different. Okay, this guy is doing something different. So, that is something. And another thing is for every important event of the company, Nivedha Didi comes.

33:19 So, he used to be driver in our school. So, Didi was his boss. So, when she comes, he can now kind of understands like he's doing something different, but he's still not clear what I'm doing. And then now they travel like more often I travel to Middle East. So, he kind of get Okay, he's doing something different other than work. Maybe now the money what he make may be less. Like that he understands also, right? It's not like in the US. So, now he understands, but I'm not sure whether he fully get, but that experience what he got, someone questions about the bag, right? And he that gentleman has taken a picture of him. So, he has probably said my son's company. So, that something has given him a confidence, I would say.

34:07 So, that's fantastic. Like based on what

34:10 You have experienced so far, if someone is there in US, I know, 40 years old, thinking about moving to India, what would be your advice? Especially like yours is a mission-driven, you know, the purpose you moved was different. So, what kind of advice do you give? What should they think about before making a decision? >> But definitely, I would say like make sure you financially you are secure. That is one thing. another thing is don't expect the same what you get in US you'll get here. Now you're getting most of it, it's it's it's not like you don't get anything I mean everything you get in US you get here also.

34:59 So everything most of things are here. but the way things work in India may be a little slower. but you you you just see when you move from here you prepare for a move. That same applies to you back. >> So that that if you have that thing in your mind, so you'll have it will it will take some time to adapt. And it will take some time for people to also understand you. So have that expectation, but I would say like >> than metros, Indian villages has a lot of opportunities if like me if you are a from a village and if you have a good financial stability, yes, there are a lot of opportunity from agriculture perspective. Now people are trying to I mean for the good food there is an expectation. No one hesitates to pay.

35:52 You can you if you have land, you can produce things in the right way. And now there are a lot of communities producing organic and a natural produces. there is a market to it. So and make sure your kids are on your side. So otherwise that will be a pain. And if you're really planning to move maybe before fifth grade is another another very very important thing. Otherwise I think India is thriving. That's that's what I see. Yesterday I went to a small town in in my district. I mean, there is no hesitation in paying for the good service. Okay? That is also something I'm saying. There is scope for good service.

36:39 Anything you do, if you do very professionally and very quality wise, if you are able to meet, you can thrive. So, it's growing fast. Everyone has money now. People are ready to spend. You'll see different India in 5 years. And the roads are good, right? So, >> I think it's a key point you're making. >> To summarize, take care of your finance, have your family by your side, so that you can withstand the storm. You need not be like burning the bridge and come like maybe have a plan. Like try it out, right? If it works first for if you're not sure about things, right? Try it out. So, those are the vital things, but opportunities are tremendous, One follow-up question.

37:26 I know you mentioned about a financial stability. Like how do you define financial stability, right? I mean >> That that comes for every individual's perspective, right? In my case, I never thought I mean I'm not I'm not clean in in finance. So, now we have a CA finalist taking care of our finance. I managed my finance throughout my life till today, right? Now we are last year we we hit couple of crores. We are we are we are in a better position. But in my case it was different. So, finance is more personal. Like if you One thing I had and I was very I I had a fallback network for me because we had multiple million worth of lands. So, that was there. So, that was my courage.

38:15 I mean courage to take this step. Definitely that was a step. I mean that made me to take the decision from the financial perspective. It's not like I had money in bank or in the stock market. I had I have some. It's not like I'm not having like everyone will have, but not affluent money, right? So those all are there. So the basic security is always there with any human, right? But if you want if you're thinking like if it's something goes back goes goes bad and if you need a fallback, if you if you are someone if you cannot live in peace without that fallback plan, make sure you have that strong financial background and then decide. >> Got it. Understood. So yeah, thank you very much Mr. Sridharan. Really appreciate you taking the time sharing your journey and a good luck with everything with V2W. That was a a great mission and I think it brings a lot of opportunities for you know, people in village and you know, bringing the talent and all that stuff. So appreciate

39:16 Your contributions to India and what you're doing and all the best. >> Thank you. Thank you so much and I'll take a minute here. So we are truly village to work and then

39:26 Now even the the COVID situation made the belief like you can work from anywhere and things, right? And customers are getting quality service through us. So and and you you'll see the loyalty in in the kids in in village. Like if you are if you give the space, right? So in every village offers this opportunity. So if someone is really financially stable stable, if you want to reach out to me for some ideas and things, definitely I'm here. My six years of experience running such organization and if you're willing to do something, yes, I can hear I can give my two cents so that they can also drive a mission driven thing from from their own villages. So I would say like we need many people like this so that we grow really fast. >> Yeah, really appreciate you offering the time. Yes.

40:15 So thank you very much again. Thank you. >> [music] >> So, most people who return from US settle either in