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New Delhi: A viral Reddit post titled “finally decided to leave India” has triggered widespread discussion among young professionals after a 27-year-old software engineer from Delhi shared his reasons for moving abroad — not for financial gain, but for what he called “basic dignity of life”. The engineer, who said he works at a FAANG company and is an alumnus of a tier-1 engineering college, described his disillusionment with India’s bureaucracy, infrastructure, and lack of accountability. His post has since resonated with thousands online, particularly among urban professionals who relate to the sentiment of frustration and fatigue with systemic inefficiencies. “I wanted to do good for my motherland, but I’m done” In his post on the r/delhi subreddit, the Redditor shared that he had always resisted the idea of settling abroad — until a recent personal experience made him feel helpless before India’s bureaucratic machinery. “I had to face the state, and it made me realise the dire state of our bureaucracy and judiciary,” he wrote. “An honest, tax-paying individual will always face injustice because someone with a pen and authority can destroy you without any consequences.” He detailed everyday struggles that have become routine for many urban residents: “For clean air, we need purifiers. For clean water, we buy tankers. For safety, there’s no proper policing. Even basic drainage fails every monsoon. This is life in one of Delhi’s posh colonies.” The software engineer added that the constant fear of harassment — even for law-abiding citizens — pushed him to the edge. “Someone can file an FIR or case against you just to threaten or extract money. They know it can harm your career, so you’ll cooperate and pay.” “I didn’t study so hard for this” The post quickly struck a chord with thousands of readers, particularly among India’s middle and upper-middle classes — those who are educated, employed, and financially comfortable, yet feel trapped by an unresponsive system. “I have one life… I can’t live in fear anymore,” he wrote. “Better to live in a country where you at least have basic dignity of life. I didn’t study so hard to experience this.” He ended with a note of regret: “I never thought a day would come when I’d fall out of love with this beautiful country, but I’m done.” Resonance and reality check The post quickly went viral, gathering hundreds of comments. One Redditor wrote, “Best of luck, every nation has its own challenges but yes, you are 100% right — we all have one life, make the most of it and do what feels right to you.” Another user added, “You won’t regret it. You might miss India on festivals and food, but you’ll still be happier. Just a piece of advice — don’t hang out too much with Indian friend circles, we bring the gossip culture wherever we go!” A third comment read, “If you don’t have major responsibilities here, it’s best to move out. There’s nothing you can do to better this country — it’s beyond repair.” While many agreed with the post, a few users offered a counterpoint, suggesting that leaving India was not a universal solution. “Every country has its own problems,” one user said. “At least in India, you have family, culture, and familiarity. The West comes with its own set of struggles.” A wider migration wave The viral post also reflects a growing migration trend. According to the International Migration Outlook 2023, India was the largest source of migrants to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries in both 2021 and 2022. Data shows that around 25 lakh Indians move abroad every year — the highest annual migration figure in the world. Top destinations include the United States, United Kingdom, UAE, Singapore, Canada, and Australia, where many seek better living standards, education, and professional opportunities. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 2,25,620 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2022 — the highest in 12 years — while 87,026 more had already done so by June 2023. These individuals are now spread across 135 countries, with post-pandemic numbers significantly higher than before 2020. A reflection of shifting aspirations The Redditor’s post is one among many expressing a generational shift in India’s urban youth — from patriotic optimism to pragmatic disillusionment. For many, it is not merely about salaries or job titles, but the desire for clean air, fair governance, and personal safety. As discussions continue online, the post serves as a mirror to a larger societal question: What does it take for young, educated Indians to feel at home in their own country?
