So I spent my Sunday yesterday studying for a naturalization test for Germany that I will be taking on Friday. The test consists of 33 multiple-choice questions out of a catalogue of 310 questions. To pass, one needs to answer 17 questions correctly. The topics of the questions range from the German political structure, constitutional rights, history dating back till WWII, and general customs and rules in Germany (e.g. what is custom at Christmas in Germany ? A. dressing up in costume, B. decorating christmas trees, B. painting eggs, D. hunting). It took me about a day to go through all 310 questions and read up on the respective topics. History and pol. systems were the more extensive subjects and also where I am - correction: WAS - most ignorant. After all this time, I'm glad I had an incentive to do something about it.
After that, the remaining steps to getting German citizenship are purely bureaucratic - fixing appointment to file papers, showing up at the appointment and waiting. It all sounds very clinical. In truth, is it?
I have lived in Germany for 33% of my life and 100% of my adult life. If you do the math you'll know my current age, which I won't divulge directly, well....
During my education I visited India for longer periods in between my semesters, spending up to 4 months a year in India. Once I started working, this reduced to two weeks a year. New Years stopped being the one time of the year you could count on a full-on high school reunion, because everybody had their own grown-up zip codes, partners and priorities. Vacation time and associated travel budgets became scarce. I became increasingly adjusted to my life in Germany. And I'm gonna say it: my travel restrictions compared to my peers (and my main travel companion 
Overreaction? Yes. Funny? Also.
Does formally giving up my Indian citizenship make me a fraud? From an emotional and identity perspective, it's not so straightforward. My family (and the Bollywood industry :P) are back in India. It is where I grew up. But to be honest, the current situation feels like limbo. I can't vote in India, or speak in Hindi (Hinglish) all the time. And I can't travel as freely as my colleagues and friends here, or legitimize my identity for a new bank account using video-chat, because they can't legitimize my current passport. From a pragmatic perspective, the decision feels increasingly straightforward. I have a home, a loving relationship, friends, a job. My life is here.
I just wish borders didn't matter as much as they seem to.