By- Jawahar Mishra
Chief Editor, News Wave
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President Donald Trump, who is in a fierce anti-India mania, is now erupting like a volcano, one after another, and is tormenting the country and the world. Now Trump has used the H-1B visa missile against India, which has shattered the sweet dreams of American-loving Indian students and job seekers.
Uncle Trump’s relentless hammer blow on the hopes and aspirations of Indian youth has raised a very expensive question that can Indian youth make their future bright only by coming to America, and not on their native soil? It is time to have a deep discussion today on what they have gained and what they have lost from their such American mentality.
Today, the biggest aspiration of young people is to study, work, or settle abroad , mainly America . Every young person wants to go America to build a better future and gain social prestige. This attraction is so strong that, especially in rural areas of states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, villages are becoming deserted. Farms and barns lie desolate, houses are locked, and parents even sell their property to fulfill their children’s desire to go abroad.
There are many reasons for this attraction to foreign countries. The biggest reason is the belief that only by going abroad can one live a prosperous and respectable life. Young people believe that incomes will be higher and life will be more comfortable. However, the truth is that not everyone gets a high-ranking position or a lucrative job abroad. Most young people have to do menial jobs—such as waiters in restaurants, taxi drivers, factory workers, or other physically demanding jobs. When it comes to doing the same work in India, they feel ashamed, considering it “low-level work.” But seeing the glamour of foreign countries and the value of the money earned there in foreign currency, they find the same work acceptable.
This contradiction exposes the weaknesses of our society and mentality. Even if some savings are made while living abroad, a large portion of it is spent on living expenses. House rent, insurance, taxes, medical care, and education are huge expenses. The mental pressure and struggle are also immense. Adapting to a new culture and language, living away from family, and enduring loneliness—all these challenges break young people from within.
This trend also has profound social and cultural impacts. When young people go abroad, the number of workers in villages decreases. Agricultural land remains vacant or is leased out. The rural economy loses its vibrancy. The hardest hit are elderly parents, who struggle with loneliness and insecurity. Sometimes, parents are forced into nursing homes. The family fabric also becomes fractured as children living abroad gradually become disconnected from their culture and roots.
Now the question is – is going abroad the only option? India is developing rapidly today. There is no shortage of opportunities here. The startup culture offers young people the opportunity to experiment. Agro-based industries hold immense potential, which can make villages self-reliant. There are countless opportunities for youth in IT, digital marketing, e-commerce, and technology. The government is also promoting skill development schemes and self-employment. If young people take advantage of these opportunities, they can not only become financially strong but also contribute to the progress of their village and country.
Therefore, it is important to change mindsets. If a young person can do small jobs abroad, why can’t they do the same work in their own country? The difference is only in thinking and perspective. Only work done with self-reliance, hard work, and dedication brings true respect and satisfaction. Young people must understand that the satisfaction of moving forward while staying connected to their own soil cannot be achieved even by doing small jobs in a foreign country.
After all, change begins with thinking. We must inspire our youth to use their skills and abilities to advance their country. Instead of pursuing their dreams alone abroad, it’s better to work together with our villages and communities to achieve prosperity. Only then will India become not only economically strong but also socially and culturally prosperous.
