India Chronicles - 1 : Why would one want to return to India

I am hugely generalising things here, but some how, every Indian who goes abroad, plans to return to India , some day.
The key-word being 'some-day'.

The reasons for doing so - or even not doing so, but still wanting to do so are numerous.
Lets omit the technical, inevitable , obvious reasons like visa expiries, project closures, job losses, bankruptcies - in short the 'had-to-return' reasons. Or lets not even go to the 'need-to-return' reasons - family issues, elderly parents,   other responsibilities that require attention etc..

Lets just look at the 'want-to-return' reasons.
Why would you want to return? A few I gathered over the numerous discussions with friends here are..

• Kids  - A very very important reason. You have kids, they are growing up fast - they are getting assimilated seamlessly into the western ways. Some parents might not want that to happen. Returning to India to 'apne log, apne sanskar ' etc etc. seems like a safer bet. Also, parents want their kids to bond with the extended family back in India - the earlier they return, the better are the chances - mostly.
• Family - Coming abroad, you have friends. Lots n lots of them. They become your second family. You may have occasional cousins coming in too. But do we get that wide spectrum of relations abroad? Grandparents, uncles, aunts, first cousins, second cousins, nephews, nieces etc? Indians are very family orientated. All festivals, celebrations are incomplete without the 'big gathering'. The more the merrier.  Over years, this factor becomes quite prominent - again once kids are in picture, the urge to connect to the extended family is more.
• Feeling of Belonging - We walk English, we talk English.  Some of us, on passport, are officially English ( taking up foreign citizenship ). But are we really a part of the country we are in? Some blend in really well while some still feel like they don't 'belong'. They feel culturally alienated - they have great social life, fabulous friends , fantastic work colleagues - but still something is missing.
• India is a growing economy - the new Land of Opportunities. Today's economy is glum. Slowdowns, recession is the norm. The great big dream that first called Indians abroad for plush jobs and swanky lifestyle isn't there any more. Job market is struggling abroad. Business is slow. India on the other hand is a growing economy. Jobs pay well, even business ideas thrive. Everything sells. Money buys a lot of things.In spite of the infrastructure issues, one can create an oasis to maintain a fairly similar lifestyle one enjoyed abroad. So why not go back?
• Weather - Now this isn't exactly a huge reason to return to India. But for some it might just tip the scale. Extended periods of long snowy winters, grey rainy summers - isn't exactly what we Indians grew up with. If adjusting to the climate becomes a struggle in terms of health and lifestyle, one might think they have had enough!
• Lifestyle - Again, not a hugely impacting factor to return to India. Day-to-day life abroad is much more easier. No power cuts, no water shortage. Cars are necessities - not luxuries. Ditto with other white goods - ovens, washer dryers, dishwashers - these all make you independent. Supplies are abundant, supermarkets over flow with choices. Daily services are regulated - garbage collection, maintenance of property, clean safe neighbourhoods are common. Commute to work is easier. Work environments are much better. Work policies are supportive. 9-5 jobs really exist. There is far less pollution. Now the bad part - its just you who does everything. No help, no support. Again, with kids in picture - cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, meal times, bath times, bed times - even the occasional DIYs, plumbing, carpentry, electrical fixes - its you all the time. Family crisis, hospital visits, illnesses - again just you.For a working couple - this might become daunting. Agreed, its the way of life abroad, and its definitely more good than bad - but for some - this can't become their way of life. Also, many who come abroad make compromises in terms of accommodation, expenses etc. Having come here to study or on short term work assignments , it all begins like a temporary arrangement. Focus is more on saving than spending. Renting than buying. Not having the clarity for future - 'are we here for long term? ' means day to day life is lived 'temp' basis, than enjoying it full fledged - which for some is in stark contrast to the lavish life led back home in India. 

So, all or some of the above factors drive the decision one makes about returning to India.

Once the mind is made up - what follows next? What does one do next? 

There are tonnes of things to do then.

The steps towards making this transition are numerous - but the hardest one is already taken - the decision is made!