The debate has highlighted a growing divide between those who cheer for India’s progress from afar and those who face its challenges on the ground
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While some NRIs celebrate India’s economic and social developments, they continue to choose a life abroad for reasons ranging from environmental conditions to lifestyle preferences
A recent social media debate has raised a thought-provoking question: Why do Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) frequently praise India’s progress but opt not to return? The conversation was sparked by a series of posts from Deedy Das, a former Google engineer of Indian origin, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) to urge NRIs to explain this paradox.
Das posed a pointed question, stating, “When Indians living abroad talk about how bustling the scene is in India, they should feel obligated to answer why they are not living there.” His follow-up posts emphasized that while it’s valid to acknowledge India’s growth, there might still be factors, such as air pollution, that make it less desirable to live in. He challenged the idea of portraying India as the “best place in the world” while choosing not to reside there, calling it “disingenuous.”
A user residing in India expressed a rather bleak view, advising that no one living abroad should return. “India is NOT growing, and it’s crowded like hell,” they wrote, referring to the country’s population issues and quality of life concerns
Das’s posts quickly ignited a flurry of reactions, with netizens weighing in from both sides. One user defended the NRIs, arguing that there are “plenty of valid, legit reasons” for not returning to India despite appreciating its growth. “Why not? There are many reasons why someone can’t live back home, but that doesn’t stop them from being enthusiastic about its progress,” the user remarked.
Other users were more critical. One commenter claimed that the only aspect Indians living abroad truly miss is the access to cheap labor, which makes daily life more convenient in India. “When you ask what they like about India, it’s mainly how they get household chores done cheaply,” the post stated.
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