An Indian man who returned to India after spending nearly a decade in the West has sparked a discussion online after sharing how people around him treated his decision as a personal setback rather than a choice.
(Also read: 'No work calls after 6 pm': Indian man in Ireland shares why many Indians don't return after moving abroad)
Taking to Reddit, the man shared his experience in a post titled, “Why is returning to India seen as a shameful event?”
Man says people reacted with sympathy
In his post, the man wrote, “Returned after spending a decade in the West. Applied for some jobs, didn't get a favourable job, genuinely thought the India offer was better. Went back. Back in my hometown, uncles and aunties were stopping me and expressing sympathy, saying, "It doesn't work out for everyone" and "It happens". Received a call from my cousin, who has a Canada PR and whom I've not talked to in 5 years, saying she was sorry that things didn't work out and it is getting more common nowadays. Never asked for her opinion. At my workplace, people were whispering, 'XYZ has an OCI,' and everyone seemed to be giving them special attention.Why's this such a big deal? People start a conversation saying, "I had 2-3 job offers in Europe, US, etc., but still wanted to come back." Why does that matter?”
The post highlighted the man’s frustration with the way returning to India is often viewed through the lens of failure. He questioned why people feel the need to justify their decision by mentioning foreign job offers or international opportunities.
{{/usCountry}}The post highlighted the man’s frustration with the way returning to India is often viewed through the lens of failure. He questioned why people feel the need to justify their decision by mentioning foreign job offers or international opportunities.
{{/usCountry}}Take a look here at the post:
Reddit users react
The post triggered a wide range of reactions, with many users saying that Indian society often treats living abroad as a status symbol. One user wrote, “For many families, going abroad is not just a career move, it becomes a matter of social prestige.” Another said, “People assume you came back only because you failed, not because you made a conscious choice.”
(Also read: Chennai man shares why he ‘self deported’ from Canada to India: ‘It’s one depressing country’)
A third user commented, “This mindset is common because foreign residency is still seen as an achievement in many circles.” Another wrote, “The problem is not returning to India, the problem is people thinking they know your story better than you.” One user added, “Many people abroad are also struggling, but they will never admit it because the image matters more.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)