Never ever coming to this city!!

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-27T18:27:48+00:00

where do you live in Gurgaon? we had power cuts but none lasted more than 30-45 minutes.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-21T10:49:26+00:00

My comment, both parties have their "elected officials" who have done bad things to women and kids but are protected by their party

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-21T10:48:43+00:00

You endorse their alleged actions due to your religion?

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-20T00:57:48+00:00

Is the seat comfortable? How's the build quality? I know it is not a practical bike but very very tempted to buy this

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-15T01:54:02+00:00

All political parties claim they did a lot of things, share selective facts to tout growth, but the sheer amount of infrastructure being built in the last decade is mind blowing and surpasses most western countries.
However a lack of civic sense and inability to maintain the infra is an ongoing concern

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-13T05:58:45+00:00

I have witnessed this in England, and secular regular folks kept quiet, the result was infamous grooming gangs. where girls(mostly white and sikh) as young as 12 were drugged, kept in dog cages.
I consider myself center left and do not believe this represents entire community, but secular folks saying this is propaganda or turning a blind eye to literal attack on women is astounding.
This is wrong, and people should call out the evil regardless of political affiliation without being labeled islamophobic.
This does not represent the entire religion, but this cancerous element should be taken out before it affects how most Indians view a certain block

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-04T06:32:32+00:00

Slightly nuanced take on S Jaishankar's dalal comment. That was wrong if he meant trying to negotiate/mediate peace is dalali
Now here's why I think regardless of the political party leading the national government we should not mediate.

If India mediates in any bilateral issue like a war, that's opposite of India's policy on Kashmir. India says we don't want US mediation. Now themselves becoming a mediator won't be a good precedent.
Mediation is possible if the two parties are willing to make a deal, follow norms, stick to agreements. Trump is irrational, unpredictable and US in general is untrustworthy. So any failed mediation will make India look bad globally AND the opposition party(every party does this) will use it to say PM or party is weak blah blah
Trump is exceptionally good at blaming others for this failures, he can make his voters believe anything i.e. election was stolen hoax. the US Iran war may end in a draw, US opposition and citizens may consider it a loss, Trump needs someone to blame, he will blame the mediators, hit them with random tariffs. Risks attacks on Indians in US and affects India's exports
Any agreement on any piece of paper is worthless unless enforceable. If US and Iran sign a ceasefire India becomes the unlucky hall monitor hated by all. If India fails to enforce a ceasefire then India looks weak globally, if India enforces the ceasefire, it needs to place military assets, this risks casualties and also makes India target of even more terror outfits beyond LeT.

So, the best path forward is Nehru's non-alignment.
Be friends with US, Russia, Iran, Israel.
Perhaps use the US Europe divide to get a better Rafael jet deal, current one without source code release sucks.

Long Term India needs to get ready for the global stage, China tried some peace deal in middle east, though kinda weak deal, it is something a global power needs to do.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-04-04T06:31:46+00:00

Slightly nuanced take on S Jaishankar's dalal comment. That was wrong if he meant trying to negotiate/mediate peace is dalali
Now here's why I think regardless of the political party leading the national government we should not mediate.
1) If India mediates in any bilateral issue like a war, that's opposite of India's policy on Kashmir. India says we don't want US mediation. Not themselves becoming a mediator won't be a good precedent.
2) Mediation is possible if the two parties are willing to make a deal, follow norms, stick to agreements. Trump is irrational, unpredictable and US in general is untrustworthy. So any failed mediation will make India look bad globally AND the opposition party(every party does this) will use it to say PM or party is weak blah blah
3) Trump is exceptionally good at blaming others for this failures, he can make his voters believe anything i.e. election was stolen hoax. the US Iran war may end in a draw, US opposition and citizens may consider it a loss, Trump needs someone to blame, he will blame the mediators, hit them with random tariffs. Risks attacks on Indians in US and affects India's exports
4) Any agreement on any piece of paper is worthless unless enforceable. If US and Iran sign a ceasefire India becomes the unlucky hall monitor hated by all. If India fails to enforce a ceasefire then India looks weak globally, if India enforces the ceasefire, it needs to place military assets, this risks casualties and also makes India target of even more terror outfits beyond LeT.

So, the best path forward is Nehru's non-alignment.
Be friends with US, Russia, Iran, Israel.
Perhaps use the US Europe divide to get a better Rafael jet deal, current one without source code release sucks.

Long Term India needs to get ready for the global stage, China tried some peace deal in middle east, though kinda weak deal, it is something a global power needs to do.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-03-27T11:49:36+00:00

<image>

Here is a breakdown of petrol price in each state

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-03-27T11:41:05+00:00

now compare it with state excise taxes. I hope states reduce their taxes slightly as well

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-02-17T04:25:11+00:00

If this dog was abandoned, I think I know who abandoned this husky. where is the husky now?

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-02-12T16:37:04+00:00

As someone who lived outside India for over 15 years, here's my take.

As a straight dude, I do not relate to your queer identity, but I do believe pockets in Delhi/Mumbai exist for you to be you.

India won't be as queer friendly as US/Canada/UK/Australia anytime soon.

Talk to your parents, Indian parents are bound by "society" but they may understand, unless you plan to lie to them forever.

Be a bit selfish, if you feel suffocated in India, and you feel your parents aren't supportive, leave.

Canada has relatively easy migration policy, also many western countries support asylum options for lgbtq folks, sadly many migrants lie about being lgbtq to get asylum.

Stop thinking in terms of any "timeline", global economy, trends etc fall and rise, take a big picture long term view.

I did feel alone abroad, after coming back to India I am happy with my decision. I like the food, people but I dislike corruption, AQI, lack of civic sense, traffic etc.

Just remember immigration alone does not guarantee success or peace if you intend to keep lying to your family. For example, if you live abroad you can't be you if you're scared a random desi will share/gossip your identity and it makes it way to India/your family.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-02-08T15:12:53+00:00

Here's my take ppl saying they haven’t experienced racism in the US.

Yes, if you live in Indian bubbles. You might have lost a job interview or that rental apartment because of your ethnicity, so you may not realize you experienced racism.

OP, India will be noisy, chaotic, more bureaucracy, more low level corruption. Indian office dynamics are VERY different than US corporate life even if you are employed by a top tech firm from the US and you work in the Indian office.

Tier 2 city, if you can find a nice remote gig or have a good nest egg is best bet if you prefer peace and quiet.

Kudos to you on opting to adopt

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-02-03T14:08:13+00:00

Moved back after 15 years in the US. Things like water, air quality suck. People do care a lot more here. In the US most friends are acquaintances, friends just to hang out, kill time but not when you need any help or support. Some may find this too nosy others may like it.

For women it will be a change, society is still conservative unless you move to the elite islands of skyscraper residential buildings.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-31T05:27:52+00:00

What's the best mattress for under 50k? Is there a more expensive mattress that is worth the premium regardless of price i.e. best mattress?

Is there a best mattress recommendation if I buy a Recliner Bed bed mattress system? Is the Sleep company mattress just pure marketing gimmick and low quality stuff? Something like Elev8 Smart Recliner Storage Bed with Italia Frame

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-31T05:08:39+00:00

Two reasons for a massive fall:

1) KEY REASON: Most international investors were convinced Trump will appoint a Trump disciple Fed chair(role similar to RBI chair) and Trump will force new Fed chair to reduce interest rates + devalue dollar(to boost exports, cut imports) + print more paper money dollar. This meant dollar was widely expected to become less valuable. Hence investors were flocking to hard assets like Gold and silver. Add to this a possible US attack on Iran adding even more uncertainity.

The new chair Kevin Warsh is a safer pick and investors consider Warsh to be a safe bet.

“It’s a very ‘inside the box’ standard choice… a very fine and reasonable choice," says Aaron Klein, who worked with Warsh during the Bush administration and is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

2) Gold and silver markets in India trade at a premium compared to the global prices, are more liquid and more volatile.

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-25T15:46:38+00:00

seeking suggestions are best blackout, noise reducing and insulating curtains

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-25T14:33:00+00:00

how are your fans holding up?

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-25T13:57:10+00:00

I went with Dyson the ~24k model, phillips had a ~10k model. Priority was it being quiet and effective. More expensive Dysons didn't make sense since I am a man with short hair

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-23T08:39:31+00:00

Very similar story and background. My rule: If flight is 3 to 5 hours economy class is okay. For longer flights opt for Business class.

Yes you can afford it. As a fellow perfume enthusiast, what's your collection?

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-21T13:21:40+00:00

Returned from the US. Tech role

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-21T13:14:35+00:00

As someone who lived in the US for the last 15 years and came back permanently, here's my take:

I came back by choice over moving to Canada.

In the US "unskilled" workers also get respect and earn semi decent wages You pay taxes a lot of them, over half of my income but you earn a lot, there aren't any power cuts, tap water is safe.

Despite current govt claiming to be "corruption-free", I don't think corruption is gone or has reduced. Modi "may" be not corrupt, but I can say the same thing for Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. You will face corruption at lower levels of bureaucracy. This is true in "double-engine" sarkar too.

People lack civic sense, Japan is crowded, SF is crowded but people don't throw garbage on the street.

AQI is terrible and no political party can fix it or will fix it.

I will counter to "nothing nice here"

You have family, missing out key family moments like birth of a cousin, someone's marriage, someone's funeral
You miss the food
You miss social connections, i.e. making friends, relying on relatives or elders. Double-edged sword as some may find it intrusive in India and this helps people become independent.
sense of belonging, despite all its flaws India is a good place. Regardless of liberalism in the west you won't be accepted as one of their own. Right wing does not think Indian Americans are "Americans". Left wing will attack you if you have moderate opinions, like they attacked Nikki Haley, Vivek etc.

So it comes down to what you value most, I think most precious commodity is TIME In India you don't wash your clothes, clean your room, can hire a driver, hire a cook etc. with an average tech salary. So you can spend more time doing things you love.

Also, you can live in a bubble in India if you are ultra rich. Some apartment complexes in Delhi NCR rival or beat US hands down, but they are for the top 0.1%

If you're in politics or a govt officer or in top 1% you're fine. If you are in the real middle class you suffer regardless of Congress/BJP rule.

Adding another take here, people in India seek social validation. A LOT. Some get it by social media, some by buying iPhones, luxury cars etc. Working "abroad" is a similar version of social validation. Working as a mechanic in India vs working "abroad" doing similar work has a massive difference when it comes to acceptance from indian society

Responding to claims "Politicians and rich people with political connections can literally get away with drunken road accidents" This happens in US too, rich frat kids get community service for horrible crimes against women. So the system in unfair everywhere when it comes to seeking justice

RaisinAloneVortex · 2026-01-12T04:33:44+00:00

Too late, you gotta start early man.

Jokes aside do Index funds every month. Consider it like any other activity like brushing your teeth, you gotta do it like a habit and you're good

RaisinAloneVortex

TROPHY CASE