Tens of thousands of Indians move to the US every year in hopes of a ‘better’ future. And in some cases, they eventually return home after working or studying in the country for a few years to settle in a familiar environment. An X user made waves on Saturday after outlining the reasons why she had returned to India after spending several years in America — only to return with a sense of disillusionment.
“I used to find it funny when people said: ‘The end goal of every Indian is to leave India.’ A few years ago, I left the US and came back driven by hope and a sense of duty. I genuinely wanted to build a life and contribute,” Rajeshwari Iyer wrote on X.
‘Ground reality is different’
She however, found upon return that the “ground reality was different” upon returning to the country from the US. She outlined various issues including high taxes and rampant corruption to explain her eventual decision to leave India for a second time.
“People blindly defending poor decisions. Applauding high taxes, no merit, and unchecked corruption. It felt like a society rooting for its own collapse. Eventually, I packed up and left — this time, with clarity. And honestly, I’ve never felt more at peace,” she added.
Iyer said that India would “always be in her heart” but insisted that it was not a good idea to raise her children “in an environment of hate, noise, and wilful ignorance”.
‘India is not perfect. But…’
The post has sparked heated discussions with many on the social media platform insisting that India was well on its way to becoming a ‘developed’ nation. Others commiserated with Iyer, agreeing that leaving the country was the “best decision” to make at this time.
“I totally relate with this. I went through the same phase 2 years ago — left Canada and came back with hope, wanting to be part of change. Yes, life in India gives you luxury and better purchasing power, but the moment you step outside your gated society, reality hits hard. Broken systems, everyday chaos, and a complete lack of basic civic sense — it makes survival itself feel like a struggle. Sadly, good intentions aren’t enough when the system refuses to evolve,” agreed one user.
“If your parents thought like you…you would not have known the wonder that is India. I think they did alright when their kids lived here. Your kids would be fine too. Stop with the obsession of perfection,” countered another.
“I’ve travelled to 30+ countries, lived abroad for long stretches—but nothing matches the comfort I feel at home in India. It’s personal. Not everyone sees leaving as the end goal. I built a successful business here, with offices in 4 other countries. I’d choose it again,” added a third.