Comedian and actor Vir Das ran into an Indian during his recent visit to the US. The Indian man, who is a PhD holder and an IITian now works as a cab driver in the US to make ends meet. In a moving note shared on social media, Vir Das spoke about the bittersweet reality and challenges of people who fly abroad in hopes of a better future. Vir Das met the man when the latter had come to pick him up from San Jose. Right after he entered the cab, Das noticed that the cab driver was Indian, and wasn’t really comfortable behind the wheel. “We start talking. I try and speak to people I find abroad in Hindi, it’s like a little quick cure for homesickness for both of us. We miss the turn for my hotel, he now has to readjust. We’ve got three more minutes. We talk about America, I say “hard work here”, he laughs and nods knowingly. He says “tasalli nahin hai”, you can never fully relax, I feel bad,” Vir Das recounted. Vir Das was shocked to know that his driver was a PhD holder, an IIT Mumbai graduate, and a scientist, who got laid off from work a year ago. “This explains the driving. He does this to make ends meet. I ask him if he ever thinks of going home, he smiles and says “every day”. There’s a sadness to the smile. Like he knows that’s all it will ever be,” he adds.The actor added that the Indian man would be perhaps knee-deep in the system, with mortgage and insurance to pay, and kids at school, which has perhaps led him to drive cabs for a living. Vir Das wrapped up the note adding that as they bid goodbye, he wished the man well, “I shake his hand and say “good luck with everything”. All I can think is – I hope you get to use all of your amazing brain soon, I know first hand it’s heartbreaking to feel like you are more than what you’re doing, and I hope you get to relax soon. Tasalli.”Netizens have flooded the post with comments. “This is so deep, Vir. I am sure he felt seen and understood by you,” a netizen commented on Vir Das’ Instagram post. “This is for every one of us living abroad.. the “tasalli nahin hai” is real,” another resonated. An Instagram user wrote, “I want to live in the multiverse where everyone is doing their dream career and have plenty of free time with friends and family. Definitely no wars and no wannabe dictators.”(Pic courtesy: Pexels)
After lay off Indian scientist and IITian works as a cab driver in the US: Vir Das recounts the ‘heartbreaking’ encounter |
