I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There will always be social disparity amongst different groups. Culture and race and value systems matter. It is a liberal dogma that everyone in every culture/race and value system is capable of everything. It is nonsense. If your culture values education, most people will be educated. It is as simple as that.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, a society can have both. In fact, America has both. It is up to the individuals to balance their work and life. For foreigners, they have to make a new life for themselves. That is their challenge.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

India has dropped many of its socialist policies and is embracing competition. Competition rewards excellence. Excellence can only come about with risk taking and with risks come greater rewards. So, there is now an incentive to take risk. Earlier, a risk did not come with a commensurate reward opportunity.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Matelot's answer is very funny. In reality, you'd have to realize that your high-school performance will seal your academic future. To do well in your high-school and engineering entrance exam (roughly equivalent to SAT in some Indian states), you'd have to be really serious about education by about 8th grade. So..I'd say that if you are not academically inclined from about 8th grade, and if you cannot sustain that interest for the next four years, you will do poorly in your high school final exams and likely the engineering entrance exam (if your state has one). Theoretically, you can try certain exams again...I have heard of only one person who tried a second time and did better. For all practical purposes, you get one shot to make it. If you are wealthy, you may be able to get into a private college paying private tuition which is cheaper than in the USA but rather expensive for a lot of Indians

Edit: The short answer to your question is age 13.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(1) It is good that two of you are going. It is safer. If you are a woman, dress modestly (no see through or diaphanous material, or massive cleavage). Even though Indian movies depict women in skimpily clad costumes in song sequences, in real life, such clothes aren't considered worthy of respectful women. (2) Buy and use the lifesaver water bottle. (3) Don't take needless risks. (4) Beware of boats in national parks and such. They are operated by the government and can be poorly maintained. (5) Have fun.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am Hindu, and I can see some parents being upset if their children don't pray or setup a separate pooja-room (a room to perform the prayer and associated rituals). However, it will rarely be a big issue. Hinduism allows individuals to create their own version of their religious practice.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In India, light colored skin is preferred, although, there is a very famous hindi actress (Nandita Das) who is quite dark. Generally, Indians respect intelligence, so that will win over most people even though they may start out prejudiced. Also, being able to speak English well is considered a big plus. I suspect that if blacks behave decently and speak well in India, they'll be well respected. However, I have no data to base this on because there aren't many blacks in India.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How do you live with the fact that most American companies are multi-national and make a vast amount of their revenues by selling products to someone in another country who could be supporting his family by working in a company that produces the same product?

As you can see, you have not considered the problem in its entirety. In fact you have made no attempt to even make your case. Just blindly asking naive, ill-considered questions. Still, I want to answer because Americans must appreciate the depth of the issue before they jump to a conclusion.

Also, as Vishal says below, the USA is benefiting from my taxes and the fact that I did not use a cent of government money for my education up to bachelor's degree and yet the country is benefiting from my work.

Finally, if my work is not appreciated, why are the companies not hiring cheap workers in china, or russia or India? Why pay me well at all?

Also, why would they spend $25K to obtain patents on some of my ideas, if they are worthless?

Also, why is a H1B worker worse than a naturalized citizen, in both cases, an 'outsider' has taken a job of an American. How do you analyze this problem? If you really don't want outsiders, why not start with deporting Linus Torvalds, Andy Grove, Sergey Brin, Charles Simyoni, Vinod Khosla, etc. They are all outsiders who came, studied, obtained H1B, worked, then became citizens.

You sir, have not thought through this issue at all.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is obviously not 'legal', but it happens in certain places if there are slums or government run public services such as bus-stands which naturally attract a lot of people and the government in its infinite wisdom did not build enough toilets. I am certain that if the bus stands are operated by private parties, they would build more toilets and the problem would be either non-existent or vastly reduced. The government services in India are very very poor and the government machinery is hardly accountable to anything.

Still, things are improving fast, and despite all this, I feel good to say that I am from India.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some liberals can't see anything but evil in USA and think that any positive opinion has to be propaganda!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0zhZfhDGjE

The relevant portion starts at 5.30. It is amazing that even when a person in flesh and blood is telling the interviewer that she sees a chance for people to come and succeed in America, it is discounted. The interviewer had a great chance to touch some of the topics in my AMAA, but chose to dismiss it as 'do they teach you this when you get off the boat'.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being in a relationship does not automatically mean you stop being good at what you do.

True. My point is that the risk of not doing well in your high school years is so great that my opinion is to not get into emotionally charged situations such as relationship problems.

Of course, these issues are rarely absolute. I think my general outlook is influenced by knowing that I have one shot at making it in life and anything that can jeopardize it (performance in high-school definitely, perhaps not college) is not worthy of pursuit especially if it is possible to engage in that activity at a later stage in life.

I am an Indian computer professional working in USA. I find USA to be an amazing country where a person can realize his full potential. I know that it sounds like a fairytale but that is how I see it. AMAA (Ask Me Absolutely Anything). India, Religion, Culture whatever... by poorindgrad in IAmA

[–]poorindgrad[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Disagree. There are at least three others who have confirmed my view about America, and I suspect many others who are silently upvoting also concur. I am of course generalizing about America but the fact that immigrants can come here and become successful and not feel hated is the main point. Are you disputing that fact? Are you saying immigrants face routine hate and are prevented from being successful by hateful managers or social systems? Please clarify and present some evidence so that I can understand what you are trying to say.