Best Ways NRIs Stay Connected to India
For many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the decision to live abroad is often driven by a mix of aspirations, such as career advancement, education, economic opportunities or a higher-quality lifestyle. While the new experiences and opportunities bring a sense of accomplishment and broaden their horizons, NRIs feel the emotional weight of staying away from home. They miss the traditions and cultural familiarity and are challenged with maintaining strong connections with their families and friends back home.
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Emotional ties, cultural heritage, and social bonds are crucial for NRIs, who seek to balance their new lives with the love and support of their families and preserve their ‘Indianness’.
We share some key pointers on how to maintain and nurture relationships with family back home and also remain connected to their roots:
Use of Technology for Daily Communication
Thanks to technology, you can remain connected with people back home much more easily now than before. Use video calls, messaging apps, and social media to stay in touch with family members and friends back home. Narain, who migrated to the USA after his education, has scheduled calls with his family back home every Thursday morning and Sunday night, irrespective of other communication channels, messages, etc. Use messaging apps for daily check-ins so both sides are aware of what is going on. It helps people look forward to and catch up. Sharing photos and videos will involve your family in your daily life and create a sense of closeness. Many parents, especially those over the age of 70, are apprehensive of technology. Help them to learn how to use the devices. Install devices like speakers for better quality calls, create WhatsApp groups with siblings, children, and parents and ensure it remains active with group calls, messages, updates, photos, etc., so they feel connected.
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Plan Regular Visits and Family Get-Togethers
It is easy to get busy in life, but important to carve time off to visit home and spend quality time with loved ones. Plan visits around milestones, medical appointments, or family gatherings. These visits strengthen bonds and create fond memories. Invite family members to visit you abroad. They will get a glimpse into your life abroad, understand your challenges and also give them a chance to experience life overseas.
Stay Involved Through Emotional Gestures
Make regular attempts to involve family members in your life. You can send gifts and letters for birthdays, festivals, and anniversaries. You can create virtual celebrations through video conferencing apps with extended family for special occasions. If you have children, ensure they communicate regularly with grandparents and extended family.
Provide Financial and Logistical SupportÂ
Some NRIs might have dependents living in India and are responsible for managing their financial needs and financial plan. Check if they have sufficient income and savings to cover daily expenses, healthcare costs, and potential emergencies. Help them with financial planning and provide financial assistance if necessary. With more and more financial transactions going digital, some dependents, such as ageing parents, might have difficulties managing them. You can teach them to manage finances online and, if required, manage some transactions to reduce their worry. You can support them with administrative tasks such as paying bills, shopping, managing medical appointments and handling legal and taxation matters.
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Join Indian Communities Abroad
Most countries have Indian communities. You will get opportunities to support causes close to your heart back home. For example, Singapore has associations of different Indian states that conduct events and celebrate festivals that revive culture and bring pride and oneness among NRIs abroad. Â Celebrate Indian traditions alongside local customs in your new country. This helps retain cultural roots while adapting to a new environment.
With regular visits back home and being part of NRI communities in their country of residence NRIs can stay in touch with their roots and get support in managing challenges of living abroad, By leveraging technology and providing emotional and financial support to family back home, NRIs can bridge the distance and nurture meaningful relationships with their loved ones.
Do let us know how you remain connected with your family and friends back home.
FAQs – How NRIs Stay Connected to India While Living Abroad
1. How can NRIs stay connected with their families in India?
NRIs can stay in touch by scheduling regular video calls, sharing daily updates through messaging apps, and creating active family WhatsApp groups. Even short, consistent interactions help maintain emotional closeness.
2. How do NRIs support their parents from abroad?
NRIs often help with online banking, bill payments, medical appointments, and offer financial support when needed. Teaching parents how to use digital tools also helps them stay independent and connected.
3. How do NRIs keep their cultural roots alive abroad?
They celebrate Indian festivals, join local Indian associations, cook traditional meals, and teach children Indian languages and values. These habits help maintain a strong connection to their heritage.
4. What is the role of Indian communities for NRIs abroad?
Visiting once a year—or during key family events—helps maintain strong relationships. These trips allow NRIs to reconnect with loved ones and stay rooted in their culture.
5. How often should NRIs visit India to stay emotionally connected?
Visiting once a year—or during key family events—helps maintain strong relationships. These trips allow NRIs to reconnect with loved ones and stay rooted in their culture.
Love to hear your experience in the comment section…
