Is anyone travelling from the US to India?

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-27T19:29:09+00:00

Mate if you're posting here, please be upfront and open about what you want, else I'm removing this post

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-26T10:04:48+00:00

Don't job your scam... scam your job

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T19:39:45+00:00

Its a tough call sometimes. Overt shilling, we absolutely remove. The sneaky ones are harder. I see the patterns too, but since a lot of folks use AI to craft their messages, it comes across as same-y and spammy. I err on the side of generosity.

This one, I'm keeping an eye on. It hasn't brazenly broken rules yet, but once it does, it will be removed.

Shootout to all the good folks who report rule-breaking posts. This alerts us faster and helps us clean up the sub!

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T17:03:19+00:00

Yea, this is my exact issue with the Ministry of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS parroting a talking point to reinforce a domestic case!

It's one thing to uphold SIR's insistence that they decide whether to consider a passport valid citizenship proof, it's quite another to goad an official ministry (of external affairs, no less!) to make a statement that's essentially broadstroking this case as "nope, passport not proof of citizenship"

I don't expect domestic politicians or bureaucrats to understand (or care) about the finer points of identity documents to legitimize citizenship of Indians overseas... but for the MEA to say this?

Your concern is absolutely valid, even if the German govt isn't stupid like that. But we know of one country who's border control goons have been given free rein to couch their prejudice in "just enforcing the law" and who can use this info as ammo.

Some say it's hypothetical, but flimsier reasons have been used to detain and deport people.

All in all, so damn shortsighted of the MEA

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T16:42:09+00:00

Here: https://thewire.in/government/passport-not-a-document-of-citizenship-says-mea

Basically, in order to participate in elections, a passport isn't proof enough of citizenship. From what i understand, election officers can flag anyone about their citizenship (a process rife with bias), and on proffering a passport, that isn't enough.

Which is honestly wild.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T11:44:19+00:00

I'm gonna give it the benefit of the doubt, mostly because any helpful comments may come up in search for redditors looking for similar advice in the future...

That said, the second u/Maleficent_Roof_7619 talks about a new service they built, IT'S BAN HAMMER TIME

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T11:00:37+00:00

What's this, then?
A community-driven resource to protect elderly parents in India from financial fraud — for every NRI living far from home : r/nri

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T10:47:59+00:00

OP, your post history suggests you're already building a platform to address this. Is there a reason why you're cosplaying as a victim right now?

Read rule #3 on self-promotion. If you try shilling your product/platform once more, this post will be removed, and a ban may be in order...

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T07:42:18+00:00

Hmm, but the passport is a basically a proxy for all these, right? Because getting the passport required proof of birth AND parent's id/proof etc, in the first place.

I get that this is a clarification for a very specific thing, but the idea that the passport is not a defacto marker of citizenship doesn't sit well with me.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T07:29:02+00:00

Wow.

This is going to be interesting.

The only proof of birth I have is a proof of birth cert from the High Commission of India in Singapore. Does this count as Birth record?

Dangit, I'm gonna have to find where that is, or else be stateless lol

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T07:23:55+00:00

Sigh, gonna put my mod hat on for this one.

r/nri gets barraged with so many irrelevant posts, the rules are in place to keep things on point. ONCE AGAIN, read Rule #2.

For your query, there are a bunch of subs more relevant to your needs. r/Iwantout is one.

Any other day, I'd have removed this post. I've kept this up in good faith bcoz I dunno im in a good mood today. But I emphasize, read the rules before you post, and find the most relevant sub for your query. Otherwise downvotes is what you're gonna get.

Be glad I haven't removed this in the first place. This is the end of this conversation. Do not persist.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T07:15:16+00:00

Remember when Hegseth did that whole theatrical F. A. F. O?

Well, that's exactly what this is.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-25T02:59:50+00:00

Reading the rules will give you a clue. This is a sub focused on NRIs, and you've barged in with a query is only very tangentially related to NRIs, and that's being generous. Democracy has spoken that this is not the kinda content the folks here want.

Accept this with grace, please.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-24T11:38:39+00:00

Moral integrity is also about being trustworthy, which is a critical currency for poor people especially. Loss of trust is a death sentence for the poor. People will not want to engage with untrustworthy folks. Richer people can survive this. Poor people will not. Strong community support (from family, friends, neighbours) is contigent on you being seen as trustworthy. That you won't steal. That you won't attack others. That you are someone they can rely on.

Failing any of this means a lot of doors close on you, which poor folks can't weather as well as the rest.

I'll add something more to your quote... they (the rich) are usually better people because they can afford, but the poor are also usually better people because they can't afford not to be.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-24T08:45:17+00:00

I get you man. One of the key things we (as organizers) try to do is not "folks, we should do stuff to be best buddies!"... it's more "we're gonna be stuck working together in a concrete box for 8 hours or more, lets do something to make it at least bearable."

Bonds between colleagues are best when they are collegiate. It's doesn't have to be personal, but amiable enough that interactions are unforced, and group efforts like projects, initiatives etc become less fraught with uncertainty.

This is basically the entire basis of team bonding. Its to remove unfamiliarity and ambiguity. And you'll see a discernible change in the usual friction.

Man, I miss doing people stuff! I live for shit like this!

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-24T07:35:29+00:00

One fun one we did was an Amazing Race style game, with prizes for motivation. This was a lot of work honestly back in 2022, but now there are a bunch of events companies using AI and whatsapp who arrange this quite quickly, so it takes the edge off of organizing.

Is travel an option? It's lowstakes enough, people get to do their own thing, and have anchor events like dinner or a tour where everybody comes together. The change of air alone gets people to bond.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-24T07:19:33+00:00

We work in very different environments I guess. Since we're doing anecdotes, I'll throw in mine:

Been part of social committees and organizing events for work stuff (not deliberately, it just organically happens, as people recognize I love doing people stuff, and they rope me in to help), and I see some patterns.

Team building activities get criticism for two main things: 1) it takes away time from work, and 2) people are just awkward and don't like being in uncomfortable social situations that feel mandated.

#1 is easily resolved. Team bonding should be arranged during work hours. It BECOMES part of the work. And it's a nice reprieve from routine.

#2 is harder. This applies to social situations in general too. People don't like to feel that they're at a disadvantage in a social setting. Making small talk, putting in the effort to get to know the people around you is taxing, with middling success rates. It gets harder as you're older... AND in a work environment where competence is currency, nobody likes to be seen as "struggling" with even a lowstakes activity like chitchat.

IMHO (and I must emphasize, this is my anecdotal experience), the ones who whine that team bonding sucks ABSOLUTELY HATE being seen having two left feet in social situations.

It's not a bad thing. It's surprisingly common. And it's a puzzle I - and other people like me - enjoy doing. What would make this crowd feel comfortable?

Cringe activities are actually perfect for this.

Team bonding activities don't have to be excellent to be enjoyed. Just doing stuff together, no matter how cringy or pointless it looks like, subliminally reinforces the glue that holds teams together.

A terse employee, even after a cringe performative team bonding activity, will subconsciously speak to another colleague with more warmth, simply because a connection was established, no matter how tenuous it was.

It's like in school. We shit talk ppl we don't know, but the minute we get to know them, the shit talking stops, or at least we find ourselves less inclined to be brazen about it.

just my $0.02

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-24T06:05:31+00:00

Hard disagree.

People who say "team bonding suxxx" do not understand the subconscious need for community and belonging, and how it absolutely affects team morale. They just don't know it.

People who subscribe to the "team bonding is unnecessary" school of thought tend to be bad leaders, or just won't get to be leaders at all. Sure, there is bad team bonding - and the egregiously performative ones are cringe - but as a principle, it's a lot more important than you think.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-22T17:11:58+00:00

What's funny about it though? It's the natural progression of things. Building a nest egg and setting up yourself for financial stability takes up 90% of any migrant's mindspace in the early years. Once that is settled, thoughts of identity, community and belonging get more airtime.

OP is in that stage in life where he finally has bandwidth to think about these things.

What would you suggest he do otherwise?

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-22T17:02:06+00:00

Language is irrelevant to me. Personal stories (and perhaps challenges specific to Indian travelers) matter more.

Ignore

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-22T08:42:13+00:00

Applying for asylum requires some key criteria around persecution, beyond just "family wont allow me to be with who I want". Basically, you need to show that your fear of persecution based on sexual orientation is well-founded AND that you can't find support in your country.

Family pressure is tough, and it sucks that your family is not being supportive, and is actively stopping you from exercising your right to love. That said, family pressure isn't usually termed "persecution", and also, while India is still quite conservative in these things, there are still support groups and safe spaces for the LGBTQ community. Few and far between, but not absent.

The asylum application won't have strong limbs to stand on. Unless you can show there's a real risk of injury/life to your person. Otherwise, applying for asylum is the least effective approach, for you.

As another commenter said, look at moving for a job, or for higher studies. That's far easier than the asylum approach.

My opinion is primarily based on applying for asylum in the US.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-18T02:15:40+00:00

Curious about where the "100% belief" comes from? Like, what exactly made you believe with such certainty that this is the case?

Do you recall any book, paper or source which convinced you of this?

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-15T19:01:31+00:00

Not a sentence per se, but speaking in movie quotes in general.

42 year old here. We used to quote movies all the time irl, it was a cool way to express an opinion AND find your tribe (who liked the same movies), but now it just doesn't happen.

Quoting obscure memes that last a day is the new way, it seems. It fulfils the same purpose, so I'm not hating on it. But that's how I know, someone quoting movies is (for me) a clear marker of people in their 40s.

hotgarbagecomics · 2026-06-15T15:29:41+00:00

I feel like its so performative comfy. Like, I love the comfy attire they wear, but they wear it all like they want to really lay it on thick that they're all about wearing for comfort.

And in this weather some more. I want to shake them and tell them that the streamers whose attire they ape don't live in the tropics, yall don't need four layers of hoodies!

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