What is India's biggest export to the US?

[Expat_guy]

Middle class people in india are very hardworking, intelligent and ambitious and there are about 400 million of them who can fillup the world with their english and technical knowledge.

The rest? They are "ambitious" and they are trying to immigrate to Singapore!

Same as what you did couple of decades back!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, not quite. I didn't come to Singapore to immigrate. In fact I only came to Singapore because I was headhunted and at that time there was little work in the US (I worked in the oil field of the Gulf of Mexico) during the '81-'82 Oil Embargo. The largest Commercial Diving company in the world approached me to take a 12 month contract out of Singapore so I said, why not? At least until the Gulf picked up again. Of course a marriage to a local Indian gal here changed all that after the first bun popped out of the oven.

Frankly, after almost 3 decades, I still haven't immigrated, that's why, after all these years, I'm still only a PR. Two reasons: I'm not giving up my blue passport with the eagle on the front and this country doesn't allow dual citizenship. Secondly, how to retire in this country of constant noise & pollution. I want peace and quiet when I retire.

[Expat_guy]

Actually, not quite. I didn't come to Singapore to immigrate. In fact I only came to Singapore because I was headhunted and at that time there was little work in the US (I worked in the oil field of the Gulf of Mexico) during the '81-'82 Oil Embargo. The largest Commercial Diving company in the world approached me to take a 12 month contract out of Singapore so I said, why not? At least until the Gulf picked up again. Of course a marriage to a local Indian gal here changed all that after the first bun popped out of the oven.

Frankly, after almost 3 decades, I still haven't immigrated, that's why, after all these years, I'm still only a PR. Two reasons: I'm not giving up my blue passport with the eagle on the front and this country doesn't allow dual citizenship. Secondly, how to retire in this country of constant noise & pollution. I want peace and quiet when I retire.

Everyone has their own reasons and priorities.

Now I understand why SMS will be really harsh and try to snub some of the forumers who seems to be Indians. Is it something to do with him having an Indian wife?

Though not an Indian, but have worked closly with some nice indians and also have travelled extensively in India. Me thinks, if politics and bureaucracy improves, it has got great potential to become a real super power.

[nakatago]

Me thinks, if politics and bureaucracy improves, it has got great potential to become a real super power.

Oh please, let that happen. If it weren't for the CCP's track record, I wouldn't be afraid of China becoming a superpower. I'm really hoping India would step up to the plate.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, not quite. I didn't come to Singapore to immigrate. In fact I only came to Singapore because I was headhunted and at that time there was little work in the US (I worked in the oil field of the Gulf of Mexico) during the '81-'82 Oil Embargo. The largest Commercial Diving company in the world approached me to take a 12 month contract out of Singapore so I said, why not? At least until the Gulf picked up again. Of course a marriage to a local Indian gal here changed all that after the first bun popped out of the oven.

Frankly, after almost 3 decades, I still haven't immigrated, that's why, after all these years, I'm still only a PR. Two reasons: I'm not giving up my blue passport with the eagle on the front and this country doesn't allow dual citizenship. Secondly, how to retire in this country of constant noise & pollution. I want peace and quiet when I retire.

Everyone has their own reasons and priorities.

Now I understand why SMS will be really harsh and try to snub some of the forumers who seems to be Indians. Is it something to do with him having an Indian wife?

Though not an Indian, but have worked closly with some nice indians and also have travelled extensively in India. Me thinks, if politics and bureaucracy improves, it has got great potential to become a real super power.

No, it's asinine statements like the one you just made, that get's you guys in trouble. Why would having an Indian wife be cause to snub Indians in general. That's the logic they teach you in school now? I've been married 27 years and envisage being married a lot more to the same woman. I'm harsh on stupidity, regardless what kind of passport it's carrying.

[Expat_guy]

Everyone has their own reasons and priorities.

Now I understand why SMS will be really harsh and try to snub some of the forumers who seems to be Indians. Is it something to do with him having an Indian wife?

Though not an Indian, but have worked closly with some nice indians and also have travelled extensively in India. Me thinks, if politics and bureaucracy improves, it has got great potential to become a real super power.

No, it's asinine statements like the one you just made, that get's you guys in trouble. Why would having an Indian wife be cause to snub Indians in general. That's the logic they teach you in school now? I've been married 27 years and envisage being married a lot more to the same woman. I'm harsh on stupidity, regardless what kind of passport it's carrying.

Why are you jumping to conclusions. If some guys are stupid, why do you think that that's what was taught in their school?

In your opinion, if some indian guys migrate to singapore, they are ambitious, but not intellegent. You did the same thing and is still in singapore since 27 yrs but your reasons were different.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Everyone has their own reasons and priorities.

Now I understand why SMS will be really harsh and try to snub some of the forumers who seems to be Indians. Is it something to do with him having an Indian wife?

Though not an Indian, but have worked closly with some nice indians and also have travelled extensively in India. Me thinks, if politics and bureaucracy improves, it has got great potential to become a real super power.

No, it's asinine statements like the one you just made, that get's you guys in trouble. Why would having an Indian wife be cause to snub Indians in general. That's the logic they teach you in school now? I've been married 27 years and envisage being married a lot more to the same woman. I'm harsh on stupidity, regardless what kind of passport it's carrying.

Why are you jumping to conclusions. If some guys are stupid, why do you think that that's what was taught in their school?

In your opinion, if some indian guys migrate to singapore, they are ambitious, but not intellegent. You did the same thing and is still in singapore since 27 yrs but your reasons were different.

Where did I say that? Jumping to conclusions? What would you call your comments about my wife? And no, I didn't migrate to Singapore, I took an overseas contract. I'm still working overseas but my home is in the US. That's not migration. I've worked all over South East Asia and Australia in the 27 years I've been here. I keep my overseas address here in Singapore for convenience as my wife is Singaporean and so are the Kids (dual citizenship though as they don't want to stay here either).

Be careful when taking a bite, it may just be more than you can easily chew.

[JayCee]

my wife is Singaporean and so are the Kids (dual citizenship though as they don't want to stay here either).

Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but how come your kids don't want to stay here? Doesn't say much for Singapore if they've grown up here but can't wait to get out (although I read that it's happening more and more nowadays)

[Expat_guy]

I have 6 indian guys working in my team, chemical industry, who are all very well qualified and hard working.
All of them are in singapore since min 10 yrs but still hold indian passport.
Even though, it would have been convinient for them to hold Sing passport, I am surprised to see them holding Indian passport and getting a visa each time they travell atleast some of the countries which do not require visa for sing passport holders.

They all travel to different parts of the globe like south america, central asia, mid east for a couple of weeks each time, for most part of the year.

There are brillient and stupid people everywhere.

[Plavt]

Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but how come your kids don't want to stay here? Doesn't say much for Singapore if they've grown up here but can't wait to get out (although I read that it's happening more and more nowadays)

Is that any big surprise? The last part of your own post perhaps tells you how much the younger generation (presumably) feel about their own society. Sms's children have American passports so probably feel they have more opportunities elsewhere. Wouldn't you agree the most desirable passports to have are either British or American? That's my opinon from what I have seen on this board and in the days when I was travelling.

[Expat_guy]

my wife is Singaporean and so are the Kids (dual citizenship though as they don't want to stay here either).

Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but how come your kids don't want to stay here? Doesn't say much for Singapore if they've grown up here but can't wait to get out (although I read that it's happening more and more nowadays)

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Especially when they've been playing on both sides. Singapore isn't the be-all and end-all that everybody thinks. My kids have grown up seeing how our family has been ill-treated by the government. They don't want anything to do with this country. It might have been different had the government not started taking things away from me, or the freebies being greatly reduced because we opted to take care of my wife's aging parents, thereby necessitating buying a 5 room flat and subsequently causing all handouts to be reduced. Or the way that they have treated my nephew and his wife (who is banned from entering Singapore- but her baby lives with us). Any grass is greener that this concrete covered piece of rock.

[okdone]

SMS,

While you have a inveterate urge to confuse the topics to manipulate you biased inferences. Although this strange strategy of self-admiration might satisfy your inner void, but it is counter-productive to complicate the things rather than solving them.

Well, at least he's got himself convinced.....

Fall down on my knees in supplication?

Well with the point of view which you expect forumers to behave, I can understand you're handling illiterate manpower. However, I give up to seek any possibility to make you understand the inapplicability of your quixotic strategy at every place possible.

Indian wife

Is that Singaporean of Indian origin? I don't know what's taught & propagated about India in Singapore and US, but I still think some people need to come out of their prejudices and framed perceptions which are far contrary to the ground reality. But off course, few are not eligible to face the reality.

I'm harsh on stupidity, regardless what kind of passport it's carrying.

Your bigoted arguments and sectarian behavior does not support your statement. However, as obvious, you fail to perceive the fact and rather resort to juvenile excuses to justify your behavior.

After 30 years of practicing bygone baloney, surrounded with "Yes Sir" slaves, I don't see any possibility in your brain for any ramification. Hence.....

WHATEVER!!!

[JayCee]

Wouldn't you agree the most desirable passports to have are either British or American? That's my opinon from what I have seen on this board and in the days when I was travelling.

Yes agreed, I guess I just had this idea that if someone has lived and grown up in a country they might feel an attachment to it (know the culture, most of their friends live there etc...) but after reading SMS's post I can't say I blame them, in particular the part about not allowing a child's mother into the country because of some ridiculous beaurocratic rule!

[JR8]

Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but how come your kids don't want to stay here? Doesn't say much for Singapore if they've grown up here but can't wait to get out (although I read that it's happening more and more nowadays)

Is that any big surprise? The last part of your own post perhaps tells you how much the younger generation (presumably) feel about their own society. Sms's children have American passports so probably feel they have more opportunities elsewhere. Wouldn't you agree the most desirable passports to have are either British or American? That's my opinon from what I have seen on this board and in the days when I was travelling.

There is a dedicated department at MFA called the 'Overseas Singaporean Unit', who are involved in what might be termed out-reach to SGns who have moved abroad in order to try and coax them back.

I believe the idea being that SGns with the wherewithal to quit and make a success of it abroad are precisely the kind of people they would MUCH rather hadn't left in the first place.

They have 'Singapore Day' celebrations in foreign cities. It is interesting to see where they target them. I attended one in 2006(?) in NYC, the next one is in Shanghai.

I would describe the NYC one as, er, a couple of thousand people (must be SGn or sole guest of) attending to pick up a bunch of freebies (Jars of Yeo's chicken rice mix, Chili sauce, Soybean drink etc), plus genuine hawker food (man you should have seen the queues for the free food! ), being entertained by some SGn MC, music and comedians etc., while there are stands there to advise on buying HDB/Private property in SG, mortgages etc. Basicly it is a flag-waving, heartstring-tweeking guilt-tripping kind of affair, with a few knick-nacks and freebies to get the prospects in the door.

The upcoming Shanghai event. (You might almost think the target is to get skilled Chinese speaking SGns back this year wouldn't you )
https://app.singaporeday.gov.sg/index.html

The underlying point though is that I know a lot of SGns who once they have tasted life abroad in 'the west' have no desire to return. In fact it is striking how some of them profess to dislike or even detest Singapore. Also of note maybe is that these latter people are usually but not always from the minority races in SG.