Social media post by US-returned Indian woman sparks fierce debate on life, governance, and future in India
An Indian-origin woman who returned to India from the United States hoping to rebuild her life and contribute to the country has stirred intense online discussion after revealing she ultimately left again, disillusioned by the country’s “ground reality, reported financialexpress.com.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rajeshwari Iyer reflected on her journey. “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,” she wrote. But her optimism quickly faded.
In a candid social media post, Rajeshwari Iyer outlined her decision to return to the US, citing corruption, high taxes, and societal complacency as key reasons for abandoning her dream of living in India.
“I used to find it funny when people said: ‘The end goal of every Indian is to leave India.’ The ground reality was different,” she admitted. Iyer criticized what she described as blind support for poor governance, applauding of high taxes, lack of meritocracy, and widespread corruption. “It felt like a society rooting for its own collapse,” she wrote, adding that leaving again brought her peace.
She emphasized that while India would “always be in her heart,” she didn’t feel it was the right environment to raise her children, citing “hate, noise, and wilful ignorance.”
Her post went viral, sparking polarized reactions. Some echoed her sentiments. One user responded, “Yes, life in India gives you luxury and better purchasing power, but the moment you step outside your gated society, reality hits hard… Sadly, good intentions aren’t enough when the system refuses to evolve.”
Others defended the country. “Stop with the obsession of perfection,” one person wrote, reminding her that previous generations built lives in India without complaint. Another chimed in, “Nothing matches the comfort I feel at home in India. I built a successful business here. I’d choose it again.”
The story reflects a broader dilemma faced by many NRIs: the emotional pull of homeland versus the challenge of navigating India’s evolving but complex systems.
