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‘Why do NRIs choose not to return?’: Indians in USA answer in viral video

A video of NRIs explaining why they decided not to return to India has prompted mixed reactions on social media.

Published on: Dec 03, 2025 07:35 AM IST
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An Indian content creator in the USA did a street interview where she asked NRIs the reasons that are stopping them from returning to India. The responses ranged from the promise of better work-life balance and personal privacy to serious concerns over women’s safety.

NRIs in America explain why they chose not to return to India. (Instagram/@albeli_ritu)
NRIs in America explain why they chose not to return to India. (Instagram/@albeli_ritu)

“Why do many NRIs choose not to return to India?” Albeli Ritu wrote on Instagram while sharing a video. The first woman she asks says that for her, it is the privacy she enjoys while in the USA.

Also Read: NRI shares harsh realities of life in India after moving abroad: 'This is the actual truth'

The second woman talks about the freedom to purchase anything they want. She adds that if someone loves materialistic things, then the USA is more suited for them than India. Others also talk about work-life balance and safety for women.

Take a look at the video:

How did social media react?

“I missed my culture the most in the US. I love my India. Cannot lead a very superficial materialistic life in a dull manner. I love my India, its traditions and freedom to live the way I want to,” an individual posted.

Another added, “Yes, that’s true. You don’t get judged by Indians over there because we all stand in the same line, but white people judge you every day. Trust me. I have been there for a couple of months. I don’t know how these people deal with loneliness over there. I love my India, but yes, we do need to change a lot of things in India.”

Also Read: NRI woman explains why she returned to India after 17 years in the US: ‘Reality hit me…’

A third commented, “Safety for women and air quality, that’s it. You can earn enough money anywhere if you have skills.” A fourth wrote, “Umm, aren't we the ones getting the most hate right now? What judgmental behaviour are you saying you are not getting here?”

Who is Albeli Ritu?

Her YouTube bio reads, “We are an Indian family based in the USA. We are sharing our journey as immigrants and parents.” She lives in America with her husband, Prashant, and their daughter, Itika.

Her channel features “interviews with fellow Indians thriving in the US, stories of those returning to India, and deep dives into what it means to balance two cultures.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.

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