By Priya Raghuvanshi

Copyright timesnownews

Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta has shared a message for the young Indians grappling with the impact of the latest US visa changes. Reacting to then-US President Donald Trump’s policy mandating a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applicants, Gupta turned the spotlight toward the opportunities awaiting professionals back in India. In a reflective LinkedIn post, Gupta recalled her own experience as an Indian graduate in the US during a time of more favourable immigration policies. “I was fortunate to graduate in 2005, when H-1B norms were far more favourable in the US,” she wrote. But that changed swiftly when the 2008 financial crisis disrupted countless career paths for Indian students. A Changing Landscape For Indian Professionals Abroad Gupta acknowledged the difficult choices many had to make back then. Some remained in the US, navigating the tightening visa rules. Others, including herself, chose to return. “Some eventually returned home, and years later, even those of us who still had the visa made the same choice,” she shared. What they found, she notes, was more than just career growth; it was a sense of purpose. “Today, we’ve built fulfilling lives here with tremendous professional opportunities and the deeper joy of creating in our own country. Personally, I wouldn’t want to go back at all.” Words Of Encouragement To The Class Of 2025 To students currently studying in the US, Gupta had this to say: “So, if you’re on a US campus right now feeling shaken or disheartened, I know what that feels like. But remember: when one door closes, many others open back home.” She continued, “India of 2025 is a far more exciting place than India of 2005 ever was.” She closed with a heartfelt call: “Chin up. Aao, ab laut chalen!” Resonating With Many Gupta’s message struck a chord across social media. One user summed it up by saying, “Absolutely! Well said! Also, today money spent on that education abroad can very well be invested in a business or even the stock market in India while studying in a good college at 1/10th or even 1/20th the cost here. The math of studying abroad just doesn’t work for the majority of Indian students anymore.” Another user added, “We have to create a highly paying job ecosystem back here in India. Charge the impact maker more for all the services they seek, be it Healthcare workers, Doctors, Engineers or any other level. Special govt charges are levied on American companies seeking such services.”