A Dream or a Delusion for Indian Youth?
Munish Bhatia
In today’s India, the aspirations of young people are shifting rapidly. One of the strongest desires is to go abroad—for higher education, better jobs, or permanent settlement. This trend is especially visible in rural states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Entire villages look empty, and farmlands lie fallow, as the younger generation first moves to cities and then overseas. Families often sell ancestral land and property to fund this dream, reshaping both society and the economy.
The belief that a prosperous and respectable life is possible only abroad drives this wave of migration. Many youths imagine that foreign lands guarantee high incomes and comfortable lifestyles. Social media and glowing stories from relatives fuel this perception, though they often showcase only glamour, not reality. The truth is sobering. According to a 2023 United Nations report, nearly 18 million Indians live abroad. Many, despite being well-educated, work in lower-paying jobs such as restaurant servers, taxi drivers, delivery agents, or factory workers. Ironically, these same jobs are considered “low status” in India but seem acceptable when performed for foreign currency. This shows how the illusion of prestige abroad disconnects young people from their roots.
Life overseas is far from easy. Expenses are high, and cultural adjustment is tough. Data from 2022 shows that in countries like Canada, international students spend ₹16–24 lakh annually on tuition, rent, food, and insurance. Add to this taxes, healthcare, and rising living costs. Mental strain is another hidden burden. Surveys suggest that nearly 40 percent of Indian youth abroad suffer from depression and anxiety due to loneliness, cultural isolation, and financial stress. Meanwhile, stricter visa rules in Canada, Australia, and the UK are making migration more challenging. Canada increased its financial requirements for international students in 2023, while the UK tightened dependent visa norms. For many, the dream quickly collides with reality.
Yet, while youth chase uncertain futures abroad, India itself is brimming with opportunities. The country is the world’s third-largest startup hub, home to more than 100,000 startups and over 100 unicorns by 2023. Government schemes like Startup India and the Mudra Yojana support entrepreneurship. Agriculture, too, has untapped potential through organic farming, agri-tech, and food processing. Programs like the Kisan Credit Card and Fasal Bima Yojana offer strong backing. India also dominates IT and BPO industries, with growing opportunities in digital marketing, e-commerce, and emerging technologies under Digital India and Make in India initiatives.
Migration has serious social costs. When youth leave, villages face labor shortages, and farmlands go uncultivated. Elderly parents are left behind to struggle with loneliness, often ending up in old-age homes. Family ties weaken, and exposure to foreign lifestyles sometimes erodes cultural traditions.
This raises the critical question: is going abroad the only option? If young Indians are willing to take up menial jobs overseas, why not pursue meaningful work at home? India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, offers a vast market, resources, and possibilities. True satisfaction comes not from chasing glamour abroad but from building self-reliance and contributing to one’s community.
The mindset must shift. Youth should see value in creating prosperity on their own soil rather than abandoning it. The government must strengthen education, healthcare, and employment in rural and semi-urban areas, while private investment should be encouraged in these regions. Only when India’s youth channel their energy into their homeland will the nation achieve not just economic progress but also cultural and social strength.
The dream of going abroad is powerful. But without perspective, it can become a delusion. India’s future depends on its youth realizing that the greatest opportunities may not lie thousands of miles away, but right here at home.
