The document details the author's reflections on the differences between India and the USA from the perspective of a retired economist. Key contrasts include the role of religion and spirituality, societal values surrounding marriage and family, approaches to education, and the prevalence of corruption in both countries. The author highlights the emphasis on individual welfare in the USA compared to the societal pressures and reliance on religious figures in India.

1. Difference between India and USA, by a 75 year old MIT educated Economist who moved to USA at age 20, worked for 35 years in USA and moved back permanently to India at 55 years of age.
India USA
Motto
“Satyamev Jayate”
(English: Truth Alone Prevails)
"In God We Trust"
In reality
 Only things that prevails are Money, getting into power and
kickbacks e.g., what’s for me if I do that for you?
 There is NO mention of GOD in the establishment motto but in
India God (actually gods) and thousands of Godly people
(baba’s, guru’s, matha’s) are everything 24/7 and 365 days.
 Godly people and their followers appear on all billboards and
public places and are part of Indian lifestyle , some gets dissed
out when secretly recorded video tapes come to light, else the
holy show goes on and 90% of godly people are super rich and
they hold more than 40% of India's wealth.
 (Citizen’s) People’s life has no value unless you belong to a rich
or political class.
 People spent time and lot of money on godly prayers, expecting
some miracle or good luck.
 About 10% make a living in God related services
 People vote with EMOITIONs or Caste, regional feeling and
expect elected politicians to develop the country as if they have
some sort of magic power to bring free goods and services
from thin air.
 God is only mentioned in public speeches, especially at the end of
the presidential speech with “May God bless America”, but not
saying or refereeing to which God or Religion.
 in practice God or Godly man have no value, People/Humans
specially American Citizens and there welfare is the UTMOST
importance by everyone.
 Citizen’s) People’s life has value even if you do not belong to a rich
or political class.
 Individuality and Privacy are part of culture. Increasingly people are
becoming atheistic and are traditional values such as “marriage”
are not so important before personal growth (professionally).
 Less than 0.5% make a living on God related services.
 People vote with value to principles (Liberal vs. Conservative).
There is a clear expectation that elected politicians are there ONLY
to propose bills for additions or changes to law.

2. Difference between India and USA, by a 75 year old MIT educated Economist who moved to USA at age 20, worked for 35 years in USA and moved back permanently to India at 55 years of age.
India USA
Corruption
 Corruption exists everywhere from low level constable to
parliament. It’s the blood and bones of the system.
 (bribe) Black money can’t be taxed by government nor does it
get back to society as corruption happens directly under the
table – 99% cash transactions.
 Almost all the bribe money never gets back into the system, it’s
hidden in safes, or abroad or in the form of Gold.
 Corruption exists only at the highest levels or politicians/ corporate
executives.
 Government staff works and delivers exactly as expected by the law.
Police are held with high respect by society “doing their duty and
willing to take a bullet”.
 (bribe) Black money is never exchanged in cash, it’s moved across
shell/fictitious companies.
 Government/People collect fair share of (bribe) black money in the
form of taxes (corporate, personal income, sales, etc.).
Life Style
 Marry early and have 2 kids. Once you have kids, think about
their education, marriage (especially if you are a girl).
 Dating or sex before marriage is still a “No” (Taboo) on the
surface/outside and during family discussions when elderly are
present, but in internet age Pre-marital sex is common these
days and is happening increasingly among teens everywhere in
India (but almost 90% of the parents do not know it).
 Divorce used to be a taboo but nowadays Indian’s are accepting
Divorce as NO big thing. Divorced men and women are no
longer seen as someone committed a fault but simply as victims
of the marriage that didn’t worked out. Divorce is becoming a
norm with around 24% rate and increasing especially in
Generation X. Single working mothers rate is increasing a lot.
 Having Kids without being married is considered not only Taboo
but not Indian and you are outlawed.
 Marry when you want to marry. Average man or women dates at
least 3-4 partners before the first marriage happens
 Have kids when you think you want. Most women due to focus on
career and professional development are having kids at late age and
the fertility rate has dropped to 1.6 (or 1.6 kid’s average per
women) and is decreasing.
 Having Kids without being married is considered OK.
 Dating & Sex happens at a very early age during or after high
school/college and it is a common thing in all developed countries.
 Unlike Indian parents who are worried about daughter’s staying out
late night American parents are worried that their kid doesn’t end
up being a LGBT.
 67% of American’s are divorced at least once in their life time as per
2014 data.

3. Difference between India and USA, by a 75 year old MIT educated Economist who moved to USA at age 20, worked for 35 years in USA and moved back permanently to India at 55 years of age.
India USA
Education
Goal
 Get TOP Rank – become Engineer/Doctor at IIT or
AIIMS and move to USA for higher studies or job.
 Practice the math problems again and again – to be
the fastest, MUST Memorize topics correctly
(understanding concepts is of least importance) so
you can answer the question correctly as asked in
the once a year 3-4 hour competitive exam paper
that determines your entire life.
 Spend at least 4-5 hours at Coaching & Study
centers every day to get that 1 more mark on the
tabulated 200 questions competitive exam. One
mark depending on how others scored on the
competitive exam can move your rank 10,000 plus
or minus.
 Rank / Caste based - positive discrimination issues
(almost 70-80% are reserved for lower caste “as
determined in 1947”).
 Note: Caste based Positive discrimination is NOT
based on economic inequality but the caste you are
born at the time of birth “as determined in 1947”
with very minor changes to the list.
 Only Teachers Grade Students
 College drop-offs are always losers.
 Very STRONG emphasis on Invention, Discovery and Creativity even at the
kinder garden level
 HIGH Focus on understanding and applying the fundamental concepts NOT
memorizing or practicing math problems faster.
 Most of the Curriculum (from kindergarten to graduate school) is driven by
Projects with the goal to solve, discover, invent or make things better.
 There is NO common exam or test (of course SAT/ACT have a role, but are not
MUST for most colleges).
 Admission at an elite school is based NOT on a 2-3 hour once a year competitive
exam but your overall academic and non-academic performance.
 RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY, GENDER doesn’t make count – ALL ARE EQUAL
in the eyes of admission only Academic MERIT matters (note: due to huge
cream of competitive Asian applicants getting dinged out of Ivy leagues –
excluding MIT,CALTECH, Chicago where merit is the ONLY thing that matters,
this may not be 100% true these days, if you are Asian you need work HARDER)
 Positive discrimination exits but only for very low income groups and is very
limited (less than 3%)
 Teachers grade students for academic performance and Students grade
teachers for teaching performance.
 College Drop-offs are two categories, one real losers and the others working on
an idea that will change the world (Bill Gates, Larry Elson, Mike Zuckerberg ....)