@Java Beans,

I had started answering your questions only to realize my post was turning into a lengthy autobiography that was getting too personal and voluminous for a public discussion forum. I'll try and share more details later, perhaps as a separate thread, time permitting. My apologies for the short answers but I had a green card, chose not to become a US citizen, worked as a consultant for a Fortune 500 company  that  often popped up on the list of 10 best places to work in the US (the sound of blowing my own trumpet hurts my ears but I only mention it to make a point). I would say I had a decent life in the US but after a certain point I did not find it fulfilling enough for the reasons outlined earlier. My family was a big reason to move back too.

I think multi-culturalism is a noble pursuit but it operates within the prevailing power dynamics that  tend to favor the dominant culture. There is plenty to do in America for those who's priorities align with what the country offers and I hope they find an abundance of happiness there. There are many things I like about America - the best thing I like is as Noam Chomsky put it - in America a janitor and a professor (or a President) can talk as equals. Of course, they might not have much in common to talk about about but that's another story. Interestingly enough,  now in Nepal a PM and a cobbler can eat as equals - Baburam ji has been helicoptering around the country inviting himself into the homes of the marginalized and breaking bread with them. It's more symbolism than substance in my opinion but at least we have something to compare against President Obama's famous fist-bump  with the White House janitor :)

I am not a evangelist preaching a return to the motherland. Far from it, I think people should do whatever makes them happy wherever they live. Nepal needs all kinds of minds and there are many ways to contribute to the country as you alluded to. And there are some who don't care about contributing, at least not right away, and  that's fine too, to each their own. When the time comes, we will all be confronted by questions of identity, belonging, family, happiness, life and death at least once in our lives and we must each  find our own answers.

Jai Nepal!
(And to all those staying back, I am tempted to say God Bless America  - although as an ardently secular atheist I want to petition the White House to remove God from the phrase. Bill O'Reilly, eat your heart out!)