What is the most bittersweet experience you’ve had to face in life? If you were to ask my father, he’d certainly speak of the day I made it into Google as a Quantitative Data Analyst. Now, that’s an absolutely strange thing, right? How could this experience be anything but sweet? Well, yes, if only the job offer was not for the company’s Pittsburgh office.
I did make several attempts to get a switch over to one of the many Indian offices but to no avail. My parents were well aware that getting into Google had been my life’s dream ever since I was a college student. Though they had no intention of holding me back, I nevertheless found myself at the crossroads – Being an only child who had scarcely lived out of home had a lot to do with it. I had been working in the same city following my higher studies, and was deeply attached to my parents. Therefore, the pain of this separation was tough to deal with.
I even thought of declining the offer, but my father reassured me that it was all going to turn out just fine. “Son, you haven’t gotten this far only to turn back. Your mother and I will still cheer you on from afar, and will eagerly look forward to your visits.” So, finally came the day of my departure. With a heavy heart and eyes brimming with tears, I made my way to the airport.
Pittsburgh was unlike anything I had seen before; more so was my office (It was starting to make sense to me why people eulogised Google’s offices and facilities). Gradually, a month later, I had developed a strong liking for the city, its people, my office, my colleagues, and my work. The pay was no doubt more than sufficient for my family’s needs but I was in search of a more convenient means of sending money to my parents back in India. Since I was not all that familiar with the options at my disposal, I decided to do some research of my own (After all, I was working for the world’s greatest search engine!). I came across the NRO and the NRE Savings Account and after going through their differences, decided to opt for the NRE Savings Account.
But, like a typical Indian kid, I had been taught the importance of a second opinion (especially when the first is your own). Therefore, I went ahead and consulted a close friend cum colleague, Atul. To my surprise, Atul had already opened an NRE Savings Account, even before coming to Pittsburgh, and was now satisfied with his choice.
He walked me through the process of opening an NRE Savings Account and its multitude of benefits. I would receive an international debit card on my NRE account, pay orders could be issued from my account absolutely free of charge, the facility of internet banking would enable me to access my account anytime and from anywhere, and I could also make free utility bill payments with select utility providers in India! And though the NRE Savings Account interest rates vary from bank to bank, they were nevertheless attractive.
No doubt, the benefits were extremely promising and would turn out to be a hassle-free way of supporting my family back in India. Atul’s testimony was the confirmation that I was looking for. Convinced with what I had heard, I decided to go forward with my choice of opening an NRE Savings Account. And the best part was that I did not even have to go back to India and physically visit a bank branch to get it done. All that I needed to do was apply for NRE Savings Account online, gather all my self-attested KYC documents, the filled out application form with a photograph, and courier them to a bank of my choice.
Following this easy and seamless process, I was able to get my NRE Savings Account opened. It’s been six months since then, and apart from its myriad benefits, the best part for me is that I am able to support my family’s needs. Just like Atul, there’s no reason for me to regret my choice. The NRE Savings Account has been all that it promised to me and my family, and much more.
I WAS AWAY FROM INDIA FOR MORE THAN TWO YEAR & FILLING ITR IN RESIDENT STATUS UP TO AY 2019-20, HOLDING SB A/C JOINTLY WITH MY HUSBAND & OTHER WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW. ALSO OPENED FDR IN RESIDENT STATUS.
KINDLY ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO IN FUTURE. I WAS AWAY FROM INDIA DOES NOT HAVE NRE A/C. NOW IN AY I & MY HUSBAND SHALL FILE ITR AS NRI STATUS. I HAVE INTETEST/NCOME FROM FDR NOT MORE THAN RS.60000/- &
NSC INTEREST PURCHASED IN 2015.& Post Office MIS interest RS. 2564/- P.M NO ANY OTHER.
YOUR ARE REQUESTED TO ADVISE ME FURTHER AS I AM FILLING ITR SINCE 2014 ON WARDS. PLEASE REPLY ME EARLY THROUGH E MAILS.
THANKS YOU
KANCHAN MALA.