NRI’s

a poem by Subhajit Sarkar

An innocent look and hesitant approach
Lands an Indian in a foreign port,
Broken English and loads of luggage
Fighting his way out with forceful courage,
Dazzled are his eyes at the sight of sky-scrapers
When will his days shine, standing down he wonders.

Sleepless nights and hectic days
Paving his way towards dreamt success,
Parents back in homeland are eager
Son does not find time to write a letter.
Culture shock he is yet to recover
But has forgotten his parental duty forever,
Carried away by the waves of change
Homeland appears distant, once so dear but today strange.

Festive occasions make him nostalgic
Putting on ethnic dresses, attending kitty parties
Leaving behind his heritage, he funs and frolics
Seeing their changed attitude parents panic
Life has underwent a drastic change
Old values have faded, new ones keep him engaged

An honest confession here I make
All NRI’s are not in the similar state
They proudly retain, things brought from homeland
Despite temptations, they are true Indians in the foreign lands
Setting an example to all around
Restraining their desires, they have stood their ground

Hats off to all such friends of ours
I can only offer words, not flowers
Brothers and sisters we are always with you
May your lives full of virtue.