“Hum logo ko samajh sako to samjho dilbar jaani, Jitna bhi samjhoge utni hogi hairaani!”
That’s us, perfectly imperfect. Whether in India or abroad, whether juggling life in Mumbai or navigating the streets of Manhattan, we’re a mix of contradictions, complexities, and quirks. We laugh at our mistakes, miss home while living overseas, and somehow, it all works out.
One of the best examples of our perfectly imperfect nature is our ability to adjust. Come wedding season, a tiny family home suddenly becomes a dharmshala. We accommodate hundreds of out-of-town guests, turning every square inch of space into sleeping quarters. Mattresses on the floor, sharing bathrooms with ten people—it’s a logistical nightmare on paper, but in reality, it’s pure joy. In India, adjusting isn’t just a necessity; it’s a way of life. We thrive in it.
For those of us who grew up in India, we’ve heard for years how things should be—neat, orderly, flawless. And for our America-born confused desis (ABCDs), there’s often the pull of two worlds—the one you’re living in and the one you’re connected to by culture. But if you take a closer look at us, wherever we are, it’s our little quirks and imperfections that make us thrive.
Jugaad—this one word sums up the Indian genius, whether in a small Indian town or a New York City apartment. It’s that “we’ll figure it out” attitude that gets us through any situation. Whether it’s fixing a broken scooter with a piece of wire or figuring out how to make mom’s dal with ingredients from Trader Joe’s, jugaad is in our blood.
Take Bollywood, for example. Some of our most iconic films, like Sholay and Lagaan, were created with all kinds of production challenges. But they turned out to be masterpieces. Why? Because we know how to adapt, whether on home soil or abroad. Even when things aren’t perfect, we get the job done. That’s jugaad.
For the NRI, there’s always a sense of nostalgia that comes with being away. You may be building a life in the US or the UK, but every time you hear Chitti Aayi Hai or catch the aroma of ghee cooking, you’re transported back to the streets of India. Our hearts belong to more than one place, and though we’ve spread across the globe, we carry the spirit of home with us.
India is that magical place where you’ll see a guy doing aarti at a temple while checking the cricket score on his phone. One minute we’re celebrating Karva Chauth, and the next, we’re binge-watching Netflix. And honestly, it all makes perfect sense to us.
For the desi living abroad, this same blend of tradition and modernity exists. We’re just as likely to order biryani with a side of fries or mix jaggery with oatmeal. Our food is a great example of our ability to blend cultures and still stay connected to our roots. Whether it’s a homemade meal in the US or street food in India, the flavors reflect who we are—a mix of old and new.
Let’s be honest: Indian streets are like a live-action Bollywood set, with cars, cows, and chaos everywhere. And yet, somehow, it all works. Whether you’re navigating Mumbai traffic or figuring out New York’s subway system, we’ve learned how to thrive in the chaos.
Indian cricket is much the same. Remember our 2007 T20 World Cup victory? We weren’t the favorites. Our team was young, untested, and Dhoni wasn’t the legend he is today. But in that chaotic underdog situation, we thrived, found our rhythm, and went on to win the title. We perform best when things are far from perfect—that’s how we roll.
And as the song goes, “Thoda hans ke, thoda rulaake… chalna hai zindagi, fir bhi dil hai Hindustani.” Whether you’re in India, the US, or the UK, we laugh, we cry, we mess up, but no matter what, our heart is always in the right place.
For our ABCDs and NRIs, imperfection is a way of life, too. Growing up in two cultures, trying to balance diwali with Thanksgiving or explaining rasam to your American friends—it’s not perfect, but it’s us. In a world obsessed with filters and perfect selfies, Indians are proudly human. We show up with messy hair, wrinkled kurtas, and aaj kya khayenge? always on our minds. We embrace our imperfections, laugh at ourselves, and keep moving forward.
Bollywood reminds us that imperfection is lovable. Look at characters like Munna Bhai and Circuit—they’re full of flaws, but we love them for it. We see ourselves in them. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s those messy moments, the hiccups along the way, that make it all worthwhile.
We are a nation full of contradictions, and that’s what makes us unforgettable—whether at home or abroad.
People love to joke about chalta hai, but it’s more than just a phrase. It’s our way of saying, “We’ll make it work. We will adjust.” Whether you’re a student in America, a working professional in Singapore, or a grandparent waiting for the next call from your kids abroad, chalta hai keeps us moving forward. If things don’t go according to plan, we adjust, we tweak, we make it happen.
India’s journey, and the journey of every Indian around the world, is proof that you don’t need to be perfect to succeed. We’re a little rough around the edges, a bit disorganized at times, but our resilience, creativity, and humor more than make up for it.
Whether it’s Bollywood’s charm, our love for cricket, or the diverse food that fills our plates, it’s the imperfections that make India, and Indians abroad, who we are. We’ve learned to thrive in chaos, turn limitations into opportunities, and celebrate life’s quirks.
“Badi badi baatein, choti choti baaton pe zindagi leke chali… fir bhi dil hai Hindustani.” Our lives are filled with big dreams and small struggles, but through it all, our spirit stays strong, whether in India or scattered around the world.
We are perfectly imperfect, and that’s what makes us unstoppable.
Join the Conversation
At Indian.Community, we’re celebrating the perfectly imperfect spirit of Indians everywhere, whether you’re in Bharat or living abroad. Come be part of the conversation, share your own stories of how you’ve embraced your imperfections, and let’s continue building a future full of resilience, humor, and community.
Share your thoughts—what are the imperfections that make you proud? Let’s connect, laugh at our flaws, and celebrate the desi way of life, wherever you are.
