Two Indian professionals living in the United States have sparked a significant online conversation by advising young Indians against relocating to the US for career opportunities. Suhas and Priyanka, featured in an Instagram video with content creator Darshana, discussed the dramatic shift in India's professional environment since they first moved abroad.
"Don't Come": A Blunt Message
When asked for advice for those considering a move to the US, Suhas offered a straightforward "Don't come." He explained that his own decision to leave India was made during a time when securing a good job and maintaining a high quality of life in India was considerably more challenging. The US, then, seemed like a more accessible path to education, employment, and stability.
"We came here because, at that time, India was very tough for us to crack into. It was very difficult to land a good job, very difficult to have a good quality of life. The US was a very easy bet. You come here, you get your master's, you get your job, and you are set," Suhas remarked.
However, Suhas believes India has transformed profoundly. "But it's the same now in India. You can do everything that you do here; you can do it in India," he asserted, suggesting that similar opportunities and quality of life are now attainable within India.
India's Evolving Economic Landscape
Priyanka echoed Suhas's sentiments, emphasizing the growing confidence among both investors and businesses within India. She pointed to increasing investments that are actively generating more opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs across various sectors. This perspective reflects a broader reassessment by some non-resident Indians (NRIs) of India's economic potential.
While the United States continues to attract students and skilled workers, these NRIs advocate for young Indians to thoroughly evaluate the burgeoning opportunities available in their home country before making a decision to move abroad.
The Hidden Costs of Migration
Beyond professional prospects, Suhas also underscored the significant emotional and social repercussions of leaving India. He spoke about the profound cost of separation from family and friends, and the inherent difficulty of establishing a new social network in a foreign land. Despite years spent in the US, Suhas admitted to still not feeling entirely accepted.
"There’s a huge cost of leaving your family, leaving your friends, coming to a foreign land, making new friends, feeling accepted," he shared.
Given the choice today, Suhas stated he would prefer to live in India, highlighting a sentiment that resonates with many who have experienced the complex realities of international migration.