Where the Heart Lies: Redefining Home in Modern India

At the age of 20, many of us feel invincible. Driven by dreams, ambition, and a desire for independence, we leave the comfort of home to carve out our place in the world. But as we approach 30, life’s realities begin to settle in, and the value of family and the warmth of home become more evident. No matter how far we go, the pull of returning home never truly fades.

By the age of 40, we’re striving to build a home of our own—a space to create memories and nurture a family. At 50, that home becomes a sanctuary, each corner filled with traces of our hard work, love, and the stories we’ve built. By the age of 60, our greatest wish is to spend our remaining years in the peace and comfort of that home. 

But what do we truly call “Home”? Is it our ancestral house, where our roots lie, or the new place we’ve built for ourselves in a bustling city? This question holds particular resonance for India’s migrant middle class.

A Journey Between Roots and Dreams

India’s middle class comprises millions who have left their hometowns in search of opportunity. Many migrated from smaller towns and villages to major cities, drawn by the promise of better jobs, quality education, and a higher standard of living. But this journey often leaves them feeling torn between their roots the simplicity and familiarity of their hometowns and the vibrant, opportunity-rich environments of their urban lives. For them, “home” is no longer just one place; it’s an evolving blend of where they came from and where they are now.

Valmiki’s Love for Birthplace

In the Ramayana, the sage Valmiki wrote, “जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी” (Mother and Motherland are greater than Heaven). For Valmiki, one’s birthplace is more than a location; it’s woven into one’s identity. This sentiment resonates deeply with migrants who feel an unbreakable connection to their hometowns. Even though they may live in bustling cities, the simplicity, close-knit relationships, and familiar culture of their roots hold a special place in their hearts.

Tulsidas’s Practical View of Home

In contrast, the poet Tulsidas, in his Ramcharitmanas, wrote, “जहाँ बसहूँ तहँ सुंदर देसू। जो प्रतिपालहि तेहि नरेसु।” (Wherever you live is a beautiful country, and the one who protects you is the best king). Tulsidas’s perspective suggests that home isn’t limited to where we’re born—it’s also about finding security, comfort, and community. For many of India’s migrants, their “new home” is the city they’ve come to, where stable jobs, good schools, and safe neighborhoods provide a sense of belonging and security that allows them to thrive.

Balancing the Home and the Homeland

For India’s migrant middle class, home is a blend of the old and the new. They honor Valmiki’s reverence for one’s birthplace while embracing Tulsidas’s belief in finding peace wherever one is secure. To keep a connection to their roots, many continue to celebrate traditional festivals, speak their native language, and stay connected with family back home. They bring touches of their culture into their urban homes, creating a space that reflects both their past and their present. Some even buy property or invest in their hometowns, keeping their ties to their roots alive while they settle into city life.

Redefining ‘Home’ in a Modern India

For India’s migrant middle class, “home” has evolved into more than just one physical place. It’s an ongoing journey between where they come from and where they are building their future. By blending Valmiki’s devotion to one’s roots with Tulsidas’s emphasis on security and community, they have created a new sense of belonging that bridges tradition and progress.

Across India, these migrants are not just building houses; they are creating homes that capture both the culture of their past and the promise of their future. For them, home is both a place of origin and a destination a place to return to, and a place to grow from.