A Russian woman, Marina Kharbani, has recently gone viral on social media after sharing her joy of becoming an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder. The post, which garnered over 158K likes within two days, showcases Kharbani proudly displaying her OCI card, a document she waited 3.5 years to receive.
In her post, Kharbani expressed immense happiness, calling herself a “proud holder” of the OCI card. She revealed in the comments that she resides in India with her husband, children, and in-laws. She explained that her family frequently shifts between India and Russia, with several months spent in each country, which made her long for the OCI status.
Kharbani’s excitement was evident as she shared the significance of the document to her. “Almost I was waiting for this precious document for 3.5 years!!! And I am a proud holder of OCI now,” she wrote.
She continued in her comment, clarifying that despite India’s challenges, she loves staying in the country. “Yes, I understand, India has its own problems LIKE ANY OTHER COUNTRY, but why don’t you think that there are also a lot of good things I personally love staying here,” she stated. She added that she would prefer living in India over a European country, despite the common struggles.
The post received a range of reactions. While many congratulated her, others questioned her decision to choose India over other countries. Some were taken aback by the enthusiasm Kharbani expressed, with one commenter stating, “I have never seen anyone waving an OCI card with so much happiness. Congratulations!”
In contrast, some commenters were critical, asking why she seemed so happy about the OCI card. Despite the mixed reactions, the post sparked conversations about people’s migration choices and the shifting trends in international mobility.
The OCI status allows foreign nationals of Indian origin, including the spouse of an Indian citizen, to stay in India for an extended period. According to the official guidelines, the OCI passport can be granted to the spouse of a foreign-origin Indian citizen or someone married to an OCI cardholder.
As for Kharbani, her post continues to generate engagement as it highlights a unique perspective on migration, cultural integration, and the value people place on being an “Indian” citizen, even without full Indian nationality.