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No Longer NRI: How I Left America for My Homeland (Degrees of Freedom Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

Ranjani Rao moved to the United States as a new bride. Over the course of fourteen years, she acquired a PhD and a green card, became a working woman, and a mother. But, somewhere along the way, home beckoned. After much reflection, Rao and her family moved back to India. This essay collection chronicles her journey through her reflections as she contemplates the move during her last few months in America and ruminates on her life as a newly returned NRI. The book covers a range of experiences and is a thought-provoking meditation on the meaning of "home."

Given the globalized times in which we live, many of us cycle through various stages of resettlement. Sometimes we are expats, other times we are immigrants/emigrants, and often we are something in between. These essays speak to the adventure as well as the nostalgia that are the constants of this life on the move. This book of essays is a valuable addition to the library of every person who straddles two worlds that are familiar but that tug in different directions.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NWT2ZKT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Story Artisan Press (http://storyartisan.com)
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 8, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 46 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

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Dr. Ranjani Rao
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Ranjani Rao is a trained scientist, a self-taught writer, yoga practitioner, and lifelong learner committed to an apprenticeship in observation. Originally from Mumbai, she spent her early adult life in the USA where she first began writing. Her fiction and non-fiction writing are inspired by her life in three countries and travels to thirty.

Her work has appeared in several print and digital publications in the USA, India and Singapore. Her essay titled, “The Girl With The Red Dot”, originally published on Alternet.org was chosen for inclusion in the Thomson Reader, a college-level English textbook.

She is the author of three books, and has contributed to several anthologies. Her award-winning essays and op-eds appear in India Currents, an Indian-American magazine and The Straits Times, Singapore.

When not working or tackling the unread pile of books by her bedside, she goes for long walks in the nature reserve behind her home. She returns with either new ideas or pictures of wildlife that she shares on social media, much to the embarrassment of her children.

She lives with her family in Singapore who provide inspiration and fodder for her writing.

www.ranjanirao.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
27 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved the book! It depicts the day to day issues faced by the author and her daughter on their return to India. I love the attitude that the mother-daughter duo posses when they are faced with the "Indian" way of doing things. The author knows how to see the light side of practically any situation (I especially loved the Indian interview piece in the "At Work" chapter which had me in splits!) and the daughter's comments sprinkled all over the chapters actually tend to give one an epiphany to things we would have never thought of before.
    If anyone is caught in the doldrums of whether to go back home to India or not or if someone has returned back to India and is loosing sleep over whether they made the right decision (as parents we tend to worry about very choice we make!!), I would strongly suggest that you read this book. Like the author says : " As individuals, we make choices every day; how things unfold, depends, ultimately, on our attitude."
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It is extremely well written, highly descriptive and something most Indians, especially those who have lived / are living abroad can completely relate to. I love the way the author narrates not only the differences between US and India, but also the rapid changes within India before and after her US stint. I look forward to Part 2 of the book, about her life in Singapore and how / why it is different from her US stint.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very easy to read in short articles format. Having lived in both countries, I could relate to many of the stories. Recommended reading for anyone thinking about moving to India.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very easy to read. Most NRI 's can easily relate to the feelings depicted. Would highly recommend to future NRI's to read and adapt accordingly
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2019
    Format: Kindle
    A thoroughly engaging collection of essays, "No Longer NRI" chronicles the life of a young woman in a foreign land, and her brave decision to uproot herself and move back home.
    The book proves to be approachable, and vividly relatable to not just those of the author's own community, but anyone who has experienced leaving behind familiarity.
    The author is able to articulate the immigrant experience in a way in which my own expat parents never could, providing me with the insight into their lives that I've always longed for.
    This was truly an enlightening read and an hour well spent.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2019
    Format: Kindle
    Nicely penned book for those residing outside their country of origin and at some point have had thoughts cross their minds, on what would it be to return, reset and restart life in the new but old setting. Pleasant nuances on contrasts in cultural and "a day in the life" scenarios, tinged with slight humor that you can relate to at different levels. If you get an hour to spare, take your eyes and hands off those devices around, and read this book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2020
    Format: Kindle
    Wonderful collection of short stories taking the reader on a journey- from making the decision to return to India to getting resettled back home. Each story made me want to read the next one!

Top reviews from other countries

  • shyamala
    5.0 out of 5 stars No Longer NRI
    Reviewed in India on June 5, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Whether you are an NRI or not, No Longer NRI is written from the heart in a way that the reader experiences the author's pain and joy with her. It is an authentic take on the life of a returned NRI, one I relate to entirely. For those vacillating about living abroad or moving back home, this is a light but thoughtful little Book that will walk you down the path of resettling in your own country
  • Colourspayi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well captured
    Reviewed in Germany on February 21, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ranjani captures well all the feelings that go through the returning NRIs mind. Easy read that leaves you wishing for more.
  • Anuradha Rao
    4.0 out of 5 stars From the heart...
    Reviewed in India on April 8, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Loved reading the book 'No Longer an NRI'. What stood out was its language - simple, succinct and to the point. The candor that gets expressed in simple terms is supporting to most readers; especially those who struggle to relate to some of the actions and / or emotions. I haven't been an NRI and hence struggle to make sense of the struggle that is faced by most. Ranjani, through her book was able to help me make that connect and understanding happen. Please do read this book. Its a great read!
  • A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, funny, anecdotal memoirs
    Reviewed in India on March 11, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great read for all NRI/Desis who are contemplating on returning to India. The decision to move back to India always has more questions than answers for most NRIs. Ranjani’s book provides a lot of perspective and gets you closer to the answers. The Book captures the personal, social, and cultural challenges of resettling, and the perspective shift required in order to feel comfortable once you move back "Home". Ranjani keeps it simple, funny and anecdotal making this an easy read.
  • Anupama ramkumar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Would love to read about the next big migration!
    Reviewed in India on April 4, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very evocatively written. I loved the nuances and the insights on what is probably often encountered but rarely written such.

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