'You're a loser', his dad told him when he was saving the dosh to get back to India. But Jason reckons dropping out and living the simple life in Calcutta is the best move he's made in a long time.

'I can't explain how, but for me, India gradually mutilated those narcissistic masks which the West wears with such pride – money, status, beauty, power – and made me see that everything and everyone around me had been so fucking artificial.'

This time last year life was 'cosy and rosy' for Jason, a 25-year-old Law graduate from San Francisco. He was all geared up to follow in his father's footsteps: join an international law firm, buy a swish downtown penthouse, get married in his early 30s, have two kids, ski Switzerland every year, and retire by 50.

But a snap decision earlier this year to go to India for a two-week holiday with his then girlfriend, Brooke, changed everything. He returned to America depressed and desperate to get back to India.

'Dad was insanely furious,' Jason explains with obvious disgust.

'He said I was embarrassing him by packing shelves at a warehouse. At least I was working to pay my own way back to India – but he would never see it from that point of view. No, to him I was a loser; a disappointment. He'd spit out stuff like, "I didn't bring you up to be some sort of hippie drop-out."'

'His favourite line was, "Wake-up Jason! Make something of your life before it's too late." As soon as I got back to India, I blocked him and my life in the States right out of my mind … I haven't spoken to anyone back there since I left five months ago.'

Jason reckons he has just enough money to live in India for about a year. He lives on a shoestring budget, paying 45 rupees (66 pence) per night for his cell-like room in a central Calcutta guest house.

'My landlord, Mr Choudhary, is a legend – he gave me a cheap price because I was staying for so long and the best thing is that he never asks any questions, unless I am late with the rent of course.'

'As for food, I usually eat at Milan's dhaba (snack bar) just around the corner – they do awesome masala fish and roti (unleavened Indian bread).'

'I've been thinking of opening some sort of specialty restaurant back home. I think it would do really well with the right chef – a pukkah (proper) Bengali of course.'

Jason has 101 ideas of what to do when he gets back to the States. But it looks like his parents are not going to be particularly chuffed, because a career in Law is not one of them.

'Ever since I was a child, my old man brainwashed me into being a lawyer. When I look back now, I was sleepwalking. My life was so controlled and manipulated through guilt trips. I was terrified of letting down my family.'

He admits to being anxious about his uncertain future, but the one thing he is certain about is that India will help him find his way.

'When you look beyond the desperation and chaos of a city like Calcutta, everything has a place and purpose – you really have to be here to understand what I mean … India throws shit in your face. And it keeps throwing shit in your face until you see light in the darkness.'

'It's that light which is your passport to freedom … once you decipher it. I'll be here in India until I do.'

— Sarina Singh, November 2000