For many Indians, the idea of moving abroad—particularly to Western countries like the US, UK, Canada, Middle East or Australia—has long been considered the ultimate symbol of success. From relatives proudly announcing someone’s departure to celebrating visas and passports, there’s an unspoken belief that setting foot in the West is synonymous with “making it.”
But is it, really?
This isn’t about criticizing those who choose to settle abroad. People migrate for a variety of personal and professional reasons—education, better job prospects, or even just a change of scenery. But what I’m questioning is the glorification of the move itself. Why is a foreign passport seen as a trophy? Why do we as a society attach such disproportionate value to leaving our homeland?
Talk to many Indians who’ve been living abroad for years, and you’ll find that the grass isn’t always greener. Living “cut to cut,” working tirelessly just to meet rent, student loan payments, and day-to-day expenses, is a reality for many. Some spend decades in this cycle, with little savings and even less time to enjoy life.
Ironically, the same amount of time, dedication, and effort—if invested in India—could potentially yield a more comfortable lifestyle. No need to worry about language barriers or adjusting to a foreign culture. You’re with your people, in your environment, speaking your language, celebrating your festivals, and eating the food that feels like home. Isn’t there a kind of success in that too?
From a young age, we’re often told that the West is more developed, more efficient, more successful. And in many ways, yes—it offers infrastructure, systems, and opportunities that are admirable. But over the years, this admiration has morphed into something else: a belief that success must look a certain way. That only when you’ve left India and settled in the West have you “arrived.”
It’s a mindset shaped by media, diaspora narratives, and even internalized colonial hangovers. And while individual stories of struggle and achievement abroad are valid, they don’t necessarily paint the full picture. For every success story, there are countless others navigating visa anxieties, racism, job instability, or a deep-rooted feeling of not quite belonging.
What if we stopped measuring success by how far we go geographically and started measuring it by how fulfilled we feel where we are? What if we valued peace of mind, cultural rootedness, and a support system just as much as we value foreign paychecks and immigration stamps?
Yes, people should absolutely have the freedom to live wherever they feel happiest. But that choice should be free from social pressure or the weight of perception. Moving abroad should be a decision—not a validation.
This article isn’t anti-West or anti-immigration. It’s just a gentle challenge to a deeply embedded belief: that success lies there and not here. And I say this as someone who was born outside India and spent most of her life in the Middle East. Even from there, I’ve seen how the West is often glorified as the ultimate goal. But maybe real success isn’t always about where you go—it’s about how you live, and whether you feel rooted, fulfilled, and at peace.