"i am often discriminated against for being a foreigner"

Bangalore is the hub for IT companies and is one of the few cities in India where one would find people from all over the world. I find it fascinating how diverse and global the city is today, with different cultures. Deborah Nadell, who moved here ten years ago is an example. Getting to know her and her opinions on life here, in Bangalore, intrigued me as she described to me the challenges she faces as well as how India has helped her to grow and shape her as a person.

Deborah Nadell-Leinenweber, from the United States, at the Overseas Women's Club Charity Gala

Why did you relocate to Bangalore, was it for an employment purpose?

Yes, my husband and I first moved to Bangalore in 2008 for his job. I quit my company and moved onto a new phase of life, primarily studying Yoga and volunteering at an orphanage teaching English. Bangalore is the only city in India we have lived in. However, I have also lived in Poland, Germany and Spain.

What challenges do you face in Bangalore? What do you miss about home?

I love living in India. The people are amazing. It’s a totally different lifestyle here in India but we are privileged in so many ways. That being said, Europe and the United States are less polluted and cleaner and more organized allowing me to drive there. I have a car and a driver here, which is a privilege, but it comes at a cost, lack of spontaneity, freedom and privacy. In 2008 one of the major challenges was shopping. It was difficult to adapt to finding only seasonal and limited food but the biggest challenge is traffic right now. It is organized chaos that I cannot comprehend. It's very difficult to move around and to go about day-to- day tasks. I find there to be a lack of organization and discipline. On the other hand, I miss my family and friends back home, I wish I could visit them more often.

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about living here?

Bangalore is an interesting city. I have made wonderful friends from every walk of life. What I always say is that India allows me to be the best person I can be. There are unlimited opportunities to make a difference in other peoples' lives.

If you had the opportunity to move back home or to any other country, would you take it? Why or why not?

When our time in India is done (and I hope that won’t be for a very long time), we plan to continue to move around in retirement. Perhaps spending half a year in the United States and the balance of the year in Thailand, Spain and Germany would be nice.

What is one thing you can do here, but couldn't do before? Why?

In India I was able to reinvent my self. I came to understand here, in the country of the origin of Yoga, what Yoga truly is. I gave up a thirty-year career in Real Estate and now teach Yoga to children and adults as well as volunteer as an English teacher.

Were you ever discriminated against or made feel conscious in public?

No one likes to be discriminated against. And here, I am often discriminated against for being a “foreigner” based on my blonde hair and white skin, I am charged more than the locals. A perfect example was when I needed some passport photos for the FRO. I went to a local shop and noticed on the wall the cost of the passport photos. When the photos were ready, the price I was told to pay was significantly higher than the posted price. I asked why this was and the man replied to me saying, "but you are a foreigner ma'am." Even your public monuments like the Taj Mahal charge more for "foreigners."

Thank you, Deborah

***

My most favorite thing about living in Bangalore is the fact that it is truly a diverse and universal city. With people from all over the world, it is also home to many IT companies. But with these wondrous aspects comes problems too - discrimination. Migrants add so much value and importance to a city and this fact is often overlooked. I feel that instead of being badly treated and disrespected they need to be protected and valued. Deborah helped me to realize this in our interaction and I am glad that India has helped shape her as a person and better her.