We swipe past countless polished posts every day, but one video stopped us, not because of its looks, but because it felt so real. Marina Kharbani , a Russian woman living in Shillong , captured hearts across India after she posted a deeply emotional clip celebrating a moment she had waited years for: receiving her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. Her heartfelt reaction has since gone viral, resonating with millions who saw in her joy something universally human, the feeling of finally belonging.
“Now I am an Indian, almost”
The video, which features Marina holding her baby in one arm and her newly issued OCI card in the other, shows her visibly overwhelmed with joy. With a trembling voice and tears in her eyes, she says: “I got it. I got it. Now I am an Indian, almost.” She continues, “Three and a half years of hard work, and finally I have this.” Toward the end, she gently mentions her next goal: “The next one will be for my baby.”
Shared with the caption “Finally I am Indian,” the video has already gained over two million views. Viewers flooded the comment section with warmth and admiration. One user wrote, “You were always an Indian to us, now the paperwork agrees,” while another commented, “I’ve never seen someone so happy waving an Indian identity . This is beautiful, congratulations.”
A new chapter in Shillong
Marina’s journey to this moment began when she moved to India after marrying her husband. Now settled in Shillong, she has slowly but wholeheartedly embraced Indian life, sharing her experiences online as a wife, mother, and foreign national adapting to a new culture. Her social media feed reflects not just her personal growth, but also a genuine affection for her adopted home.
What the OCI card actually means
While the OCI card doesn’t grant full Indian citizenship, it offers long-term residency and key rights to foreign nationals of Indian origin, including the ability to live, work, and travel across India without the need for a visa. For Marina, the card symbolizes far more than legal convenience; it marks an emotional and cultural milestone, affirming the life she has built in a place she now considers home.
A moment that mirrors many stories
Marina’s experience speaks to a wider audience– those who’ve made a home away from home, learned a new language of belonging, or waited years for official recognition. Her journey, told in a few seconds of video, is now being celebrated as a symbol of inclusion and identity. A comment on her video summed it up perfectly: “Your journey is so inspiring. India is lucky to have you.”
“Now I am an Indian, almost”
The video, which features Marina holding her baby in one arm and her newly issued OCI card in the other, shows her visibly overwhelmed with joy. With a trembling voice and tears in her eyes, she says: “I got it. I got it. Now I am an Indian, almost.” She continues, “Three and a half years of hard work, and finally I have this.” Toward the end, she gently mentions her next goal: “The next one will be for my baby.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIv79ZPp9B4/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ff138407-76f3-41ff-9040-9ff9283cec4a https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIv79ZPp9B4/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ff138407-76f3-41ff-9040-9ff9283cec4a
Shared with the caption “Finally I am Indian,” the video has already gained over two million views. Viewers flooded the comment section with warmth and admiration. One user wrote, “You were always an Indian to us, now the paperwork agrees,” while another commented, “I’ve never seen someone so happy waving an Indian identity . This is beautiful, congratulations.”
A new chapter in Shillong
Marina’s journey to this moment began when she moved to India after marrying her husband. Now settled in Shillong, she has slowly but wholeheartedly embraced Indian life, sharing her experiences online as a wife, mother, and foreign national adapting to a new culture. Her social media feed reflects not just her personal growth, but also a genuine affection for her adopted home.
What the OCI card actually means
While the OCI card doesn’t grant full Indian citizenship, it offers long-term residency and key rights to foreign nationals of Indian origin, including the ability to live, work, and travel across India without the need for a visa. For Marina, the card symbolizes far more than legal convenience; it marks an emotional and cultural milestone, affirming the life she has built in a place she now considers home.
A moment that mirrors many stories
Marina’s experience speaks to a wider audience– those who’ve made a home away from home, learned a new language of belonging, or waited years for official recognition. Her journey, told in a few seconds of video, is now being celebrated as a symbol of inclusion and identity. A comment on her video summed it up perfectly: “Your journey is so inspiring. India is lucky to have you.”
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