Why I'm Leaving India

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It’s been almost two years since I decided to pack up and move to India. Living here has been amazing and life-changing.  I’ve experienced tremendous growth both personally (by meeting a ton of awesome people and traveling around the region) and professionally (by surrounding myself with the incredibly talented folks at Directi). Sadly though all good things must come to an end and I’ll be leaving India in early September. I’m taking a month off to travel around Kenya or Thailand and will be back in NYC by early October.

There are a lot of reasons for moving. When I first arrived in India I was a baby. Everything was new and delightful: getting stuck for hours behind a Ganesh Chaturthi procession – awesome!  Taking Bisleri showers ’cause there’s no water in my apartment – its just like camping!  Cows roaming the beach – hilarious! But after living here for two years a lot of the novelty has worn off. Routine and real-life have sunk in. Living in India isn’t that easy.  In comparison, my life back in the States is much more comfortable and healthy.  It’s time for me to get back to my family and friends.

I’m also seeking a change professionally. While I love working at Directi and really believe in the people and the direction of the company, I’d like to work on something much smaller. I’m seriously considering launching my own web product or joining a very early stage startup. I keep reading about how the New York tech scene is exploding and I want in. If anyone has any leads or suggestions on people I should speak with please let me know.

I certainly have a few regrets (never winning a Bombay Basketball Tourney, knowing that there is so much more I can contribute to in my current role), but for me, right now, this feels good.

I just wanted to thank all my friends, co-workers, bballers, maids and roomates for making this experience so memorable and enjoyable. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. You’re all awesome.

Amchi Mumbai.

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  • http://twitter.com/ankitagaba Ankita Gaba

    We will miss you.

    good luck for future. Do stay in touch.

  • http://twitter.com/ankitagaba Ankita Gaba

    We will miss you.

    good luck for future. Do stay in touch.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      thanks, ill miss you guys too, come visit in ny.

  • http://www.vikramadhiman.com/ Vikrama Dhiman

    It was fantastic to know and meet you. This blog was one of the reason why I came to @directi in the first place :) Have fun and hope you get to work on an early stage startup.

  • http://www.vikramadhiman.com/ Vikrama Dhiman

    It was fantastic to know and meet you. This blog was one of the reason why I came to @directi in the first place :) Have fun and hope you get to work on an early stage startup.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      you too buddy, im glad i could help. looking forward to hearing how things turn out here.

  • Nisha Bhavnani

    hey do you want to also explain your name “amit” is it a pseudo name? cause it doesn’t sound all american :)

  • Nisha Bhavnani

    hey do you want to also explain your name “amit” is it a pseudo name? cause it doesn’t sound all american :)

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      i get this at least twice a day… my usual answer is that im from jamnagar and in my village we all look like this. really i was born in israel and it’s also popular israeli name (so is seema).

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    thanks, ill miss you guys too, come visit in ny.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    you too buddy, im glad i could help. looking forward to hearing how things turn out here.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    i get this at least twice a day… my usual answer is that im from jamnagar and in my village we all look like this. really i was born in israel and it’s also popular israeli name (so is seema).

  • http://aviraj.com Aviraj Saluja

    Cheers Amit. You will be missed :)

  • http://aviraj.com Aviraj Saluja

    Cheers Amit. You will be missed :)

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      thanks buddy, it was great working with you

  • http://microreviews.org/ Arkid Mitra

    You have been awesome…dude.. Will catch you in NYC sometime soon..

  • http://microreviews.org/ Arkid Mitra

    You have been awesome…dude.. Will catch you in NYC sometime soon..By the way the Indian MBA colleges will miss your lessons.. And please continue your Hindi Poetry..

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      :) of course, best of luck with your startup, remember me when you are famous…

  • Vartikaverma

    We will also miss you Calvin saabji :(
    What you said was amazing – Its been awesome, and its time to get out while its awesome.

  • Vartikaverma

    We will also miss you Calvin saabji :(
    What you said was amazing – Its been awesome, and its time to get out while its awesome.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      true dat

  • Aditya

    All the best for your future endeavours. You were one of the reasons why I got all excited about coming to Directi, just like Vikrama. It’s been a blast working with you, and hope we get to work together again sometime in the future :)

  • Aditya

    All the best for your future endeavours. You were one of the reasons why I got all excited about coming to Directi, just like Vikrama. It’s been a blast working with you, and hope we get to work together again sometime in the future :)

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      thank you sir, despite short lived it was great working with you too, im sure you will crush it

  • http://twitter.com/enygmatic_in Elroy Serrao

    Wish you the best for the future :)
    NY very much looks like the place to be, hope you do very well.
    And if you ever want to collaborate on anything at all, do look me up.

  • http://twitter.com/enygmatic_in Elroy Serrao

    Wish you the best for the future :)
    NY very much looks like the place to be, hope you do very well.
    And if you ever want to collaborate on anything at all, do look me up.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      I will for sure, I’m sure there will be opportunities in the future…

  • Irene

    Woww well said Amit! Totally agree… I’ve had a great time spending time with you, and the other people. Will never forget ‘the balcony’ and its view, the Blue Frog brunch and the pitchers we ordered, and when I listen to ‘Young Forever’ by Jay-Z, I think abt you, the Yankee -oh no..Mets’ boy, who likes to car dancing, bball, hiphop, and loves…eggplant. I’ll miss you during my next visits to India, but hope we all meet once in the US, or in Amsterdam… Thanks! X

  • http://www.aasra.info Royson Jacob

    Hey Amit,

    Though all we have interacted is please register or renew :) , you will surely be missed.

    Best of Luck for all your future endeavours.

    (now that I know u have learnt Hindi :) )

    Choti si Duniya hain, milenge phir khabi na khabi, ALVIDA

    Royson.

  • http://www.aasra.info Royson Jacob

    Hey Amit,

    Though all we have interacted is please register or renew :) , you will surely be missed.

    Best of Luck for all your future endeavours.

    (now that I know u have learnt Hindi :) )

    Choti si Duniya hain, milenge phir khabi na khabi, ALVIDA

    Royson.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      Thanks Royson, was great working with you too…

  • http://lavinmirchandani.com Lavin M

    Amit,
    It was a pleasure to know you from whatever little we got associated with.
    You will definitely be missed at our SMC meets and other such gigs. Wish you the very best for the next adventure- break a leg!
    Do keep in touch through this thing that you’re working/trying to improve.
    Cheers!

  • http://twitter.com/sm63 Sanjay Mehta

    Hi Amit,
    Good luck for the future.. keep visiting back!
    Reading some great ideas that you and Gaurav have been discussing, at Gauravanomics blog!

    - Sanjay

  • http://twitter.com/sm63 Sanjay Mehta

    Hi Amit,
    Good luck for the future.. keep visiting back!
    Reading some great ideas that you and Gaurav have been discussing, at Gauravanomics blog!

    - Sanjay

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      Thanks Sanjay, keep up all the great work. You’re an inspiration to a lot of people in the industry.

  • Alyson

    You had maids?? :)
    I have to say, selfishly, that I am so happy that you’ll be back in NY so I can see you again!! Although I feel like a fool for never making out to India while you were there.

  • Alyson

    You had maids?? :)
    I have to say, selfishly, that I am so happy that you’ll be back in NY so I can see you again!! Although I feel like a fool for never making out to India while you were there.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      Everyone has maids, drivers and cooks here :) See you in a few weeks.

  • http://blog.achint.net Achint Parekh

    Working/interacting with you has been awesome and will definitely stay with me for a long time. You’ve changed things here during this Indian Adventure of yours and I bet the Indian Adventure has changed you even more :) Best of luck buddy.

  • http://blog.achint.net Achint Parekh

    Working/interacting with you has been awesome and will definitely stay with me for a long time. You’ve changed things here during this Indian Adventure of yours and I bet the Indian Adventure has changed you even more :) Best of luck buddy.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      Yessir. It’s also been great working with you at Directi and SMC, keep up the good work.

  • Vishal Kapoor

    all the best bro….keep in touch.

  • Vishal Kapoor

    all the best bro….keep in touch.

    • http://amitklein.com amitklein

      For sure, thanks buddy, hit me up if you come to NY.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    :) of course, best of luck with your startup, remember me when you are famous…

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    thanks buddy, it was great working with you

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    I will for sure, I’m sure there will be opportunities in the future…

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    thank you sir, despite short lived it was great working with you too, im sure you will crush it

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    true dat

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    Everyone has maids, drivers and cooks here :) See you in a few weeks.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    Thanks Sanjay, keep up all the great work. You’re an inspiration to a lot of people in the industry.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    Thanks Royson, was great working with you too…

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    For sure, thanks buddy, hit me up if you come to NY.

  • http://amitklein.com amitklein

    Yessir. It’s also been great working with you at Directi and SMC, keep up the good work.

  • http://www.adityarao.name/ Aditya Rao

    dude! good luck for everything :)
    and yes. I am glad you are thinking about the startup tech scene. go kick some ass!
    but lets meetup this weekend and catch up man …

  • http://www.adityarao.name/ Aditya Rao

    dude! good luck for everything :)
    and yes. I am glad you are thinking about the startup tech scene. go kick some ass!
    but lets meetup this weekend and catch up man …

  • shashank mehrotra

    Good luck gringo!

    Safe travels and stay in touch.

  • Anonymous

    Though we couldn’t meet but thanks a lot for letting us in at Bangalore office for weekend hacks. Though things did go great for 4-5 times, we eventually managed to invite a few people who undermined the freedom. Nothing more to say, but on the brighter side, we had great time overnight cooking some code, working on our projects, debating over issues and how to solve them, having a few good talks, etc.

    All the best,
    ideamonk

  • Anonymous

    Though we couldn’t meet but thanks a lot for letting us in at Bangalore office for weekend hacks. Though things did go great for 4-5 times, we eventually managed to invite a few people who undermined the freedom. Nothing more to say, but on the brighter side, we had great time overnight cooking some code, working on our projects, debating over issues and how to solve them, having a few good talks, etc.

    All the best,
    ideamonk