Poonam Sharma
In the present age, Indian youths’ aspirations are evolving fast. One of the most remarkable trends is their increasing penchant to migrate overseas — to study, to work, or to settle there once and for all. This development is reminiscent in rural India, more so in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. In most villages, there is a sense of eerie emptiness — fields are untended, houses seem vacant, and whole families are dispersed across continents. Parents also tend to promote the departure, selling family land or property to finance the aspirations of their children for a foreign life. But back of this illusion is a deeper social and economic consequence India can no longer afford to overlook.
The Illusion of the “Better Life Abroad”
For the majority of Indian youth, foreign travel symbolizes the promise of a wealthier, more respectable existence. They perceive that richness, respectability, and comfort are more readily available in other countries. All this is brought about by media, social media, and foreign relatives, who display only the glitzy picture of life in prosperous nations. The reality, though, is considerably less glittering.
According to a 2023 UN report, nearly 18 million Indians live abroad. Yet, a large number of them — despite having good education or skills — end up doing low-paying or labor-intensive jobs. Many work as waiters, cab drivers, delivery agents, or factory workers. Ironically, these are the very same jobs they refuse to do in India, deeming them “beneath” them. Yet when done overseas for dollars or pounds, the same activity now becomes respectable. This double standard is an indication of a deeper issue — increasing detachment from one’s heritage and fixations with the sheen of foreign existence.
The Harsh Reality of Life Abroad
Life abroad is not as easy or extravagant as social media portrays it to be. The cost of living is quite high. For example, in Canada, the average annual cost for a student varies between ₹16 to ₹24 lakh, covering tuition fees, accommodation, food, and insurance. And then comes the heavy burden of taxes, medical bills, and rent — and the pressure becomes dire.
The cultural shock and emotional loneliness provide an added context of adversity. Being away from family, getting accustomed to adapting new languages and work cultures, and suffering from discrimination or homesickness tend to result in extreme mental distress. Surveys indicate that nearly 40% of Indians abroad experience depression or anxiety due to loneliness and financial stress.
Recent visa policy developments have worsened the situation. In 2023, Canada tightened financial evidence requirements for foreign students, and the UK introduced new limits on bringing family members. These changes have further complicated Indian students’ and workers’ ability to settle down or join families overseas.
India: A Land of Growing Opportunities
Ironically, while Indian youth are exiting at this moment, the nation itself is moving into an era of possibility. India is today the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with more than 100,000 startups and over 100 unicorns by 2023. Initiatives by the government, such as Startup India, Mudra Yojana, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, are giving financial and mentorship assistance to young entrepreneurs.
The farming industry, which has been neglected by today’s youth, also has immense possibilities. With new developments in organic cultivation, food processing, and agri-tech, rural India can be a hotspot for entrepreneurial development. Schemes like the Kisan Credit Card and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana are facilitating young agri-entrepreneurs to mechanize agriculture and stop migration.
Additionally, India still has a dominance in information technology, digital services, and e-commerce. Digital India, Make in India, and Skill India Mission have created infinite opportunities for technologically advanced youths. These initiatives are not only creating employment but also building a generation of creators and problem solvers who can develop world-class solutions from Indian ground.
The Social Cost of Migration
As youth emigrate, villages miss their workforce. Farmlands are left idle or rented out, lowering productivity. The psychological impact on families is tremendous — particularly for left-behind elderly parents, who experience loneliness and insecurity. Quite a few of them even turn up in old-age homes. Slowly, children who are brought up overseas end up losing touch with Indian culture, language, and traditions, resulting in a gradual loss of cultural identity.
Rethinking the “Foreign Dream”
The important question is: Does success only come abroad?
If a young person can drive a taxi or serve in a restaurant overseas, why not do the same — or something better — at home, with independence and dignity? The answer is not based on opportunity, but on attitude.
With a population of more than 1.4 billion, India provides a huge domestic market and vast human capital. True fulfillment results not from the pursuit of foreign exchange, but from contributing to one’s own nation and citizens. The philosophy of self-reliance and indigenous innovation must take over the delusion of rapid success abroad.
The government, on the other hand, needs to keep reinforcing education, healthcare, and employment infrastructure in rural and semi-urban regions. Private sectors also need to be incentivized to invest beyond metropolitan cities to help promote inclusive growth.
A Call to the Nation’s Youth
India’s development is based on its youth — not on their emigration, but on their contribution. Now is the time for young minds to understand that real success cannot be measured by foreign settlement, but by national contribution. Remaining connected to one’s soil, creating new businesses, and empowering local communities provides greater pride than any overseas salary.
When India’s young people put their talent and energy into their home country, the country won’t only be a success economically — it will be successful socially, culturally, and spiritually.
