🇮🇳 NRI – The Export of Indian Brains and the Forgotten Development of Our Nation 🇮🇳
Written by – Amarsinh Jagdale Sarkar
India is one of the youngest nations in the world — full of bright, educated, and ambitious minds.
But sadly, a large number of these young talents leave the country after completing their education. They become what we call NRIs – Non-Resident Indians.
The real question is:
Why do students educated with government money, taxpayer funds, end up serving foreign nations?
And most importantly — what have they given back to India?
🎓 Educated with Public Money, Serving Abroad
Every year, India spends billions of rupees on education — through IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, and other top institutions.
This money comes from taxpayers.
Yet, the very same students who benefited from this system often migrate abroad — to the US, UK, Canada, or Australia — and serve there.
They earn in dollars, live in comfort, and proudly call themselves “NRIs.”
But the knowledge, skills, and innovation they acquired from Indian institutions rarely return to India.
This is what economists call “Brain Drain” — the export of our intellect.
🏗️ Why Can’t We Have Better Infrastructure Here?
Ask any NRI, “Why did you leave India?”
You’ll hear the same answers —
“Poor roads, lack of research facilities, limited job opportunities, corruption, and chaos.”
But then ask yourself — if all the intelligent and capable people keep leaving, who will fix these problems?
If the same youth had stayed and contributed to improving the system, India’s cities, research, and industries would have been world-class today.
🧠 Lack of Research or Habit of Escapism?
Yes, India lacks enough research institutions and innovation hubs.
But isn’t that the result of our brightest minds choosing to leave instead of build?
Had they stayed, India would have had its own NASA, MIT, or Silicon Valley by now.
It’s not the lack of opportunity; it’s the lack of commitment to build the opportunity within the country.
💰 Where Is the Return on Government Investment?
When the government spends millions educating a student — through subsidies, scholarships, and infrastructure — it’s an investment in national progress.
But when that student permanently migrates abroad, the government never gets that investment back.
It’s as if the Indian taxpayer paid to create an American or European citizen.
This is an economic loss — silent but severe.
🇺🇸 When Trump Raised H1B Visa Fees — Why Did Indians Celebrate?
When former US President Donald Trump raised the H1B visa fees, many Indians inside India celebrated.
Strange, right?
But there’s a reason — people felt that this might finally stop the brain drain.
They hoped Indian talent would stay home, work for Indian companies, and build Indian research and industry.
People are tired of watching Indian brains make other countries rich while India still struggles for basic infrastructure.
🧾 What Have NRIs Done for India?
It’s true — a few NRIs send remittances, help families, or invest in small projects.
But in terms of technology, innovation, or national progress, their contribution is negligible.
They’ve built America’s economy, not India’s.
They’ve strengthened the GDP of other nations, not their motherland.
And many of them, sadly, show pride in being “global citizens” but hesitation in being called “Indians.”
🇮🇳 The Truth: India Doesn’t Need More NRIs – It Needs “Returned Indians”
India today doesn’t need more people leaving; it needs more people returning.
Those who will use their knowledge, innovation, and experience to build India from within.
True patriotism is not in leaving your country —
it’s in staying, fighting, and helping it grow.
India needs builders, not escapists.
Returnees, not absentees.
Doers, not dreamers of foreign soil.
Author is economist.
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