By Devendra Kumar Budakoti
The chief of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, recently remarked that if he was not provided adequate security, he would be compelled to return to America. While the statement generated some discussion, it also raises a broader and more relevant question: what truly determines where Indians choose to live? Is it merely personal security, or is it the promise of better opportunities and a higher quality of life?
For millions of Indians, the answer is obvious. Security is important, but it is rarely the primary reason for migrating abroad. Better education, rewarding careers, higher incomes, efficient public services, social security, cleaner cities and a more predictable system of governance often prove far more attractive than emotional attachment to one’s homeland. Patriotism may remain intact, but aspirations for a better future frequently take precedence.
Migration has become an integral part of the aspirations of India’s middle class. For many families, sending their children abroad for higher education is not simply an academic investment but the first step towards permanent settlement. Parents willingly spend their life savings in the hope that their children will secure employment, permanent residency and eventually citizenship in another country. Marriage alliances are also increasingly shaped by this aspiration. In such cases, considerations of caste, community and even nationality often become secondary to the prospect of a stable and prosperous future.
The story of Indian migration, however, is much older than contemporary student visas. During the colonial period, thousands of Indians were transported as indentured labourers to plantations producing sugar, tea, rubber and coffee in countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, Guyana and Suriname. Despite harsh conditions, these communities preserved their language, traditions and cultural identity, laying the foundation of today’s vibrant Indian diaspora.
Subsequent waves of migration reflected changing economic realities. Traders and small entrepreneurs ventured overseas, followed by professionals in manufacturing, healthcare and other service sectors. With the rise of the information age, engineers, scientists, doctors and information technology professionals became the face of modern Indian migration. Today, India is one of the world’s largest exporters of skilled human capital, and its diaspora occupies influential positions across continents.
Migration has also transformed Indian society. Living in multicultural environments has encouraged greater acceptance of inter-community and cross-cultural marriages. Traditional barriers of caste, religion and region have weakened significantly among overseas Indians. Similar changes are slowly emerging in urban India. As family structures evolve, rituals, customs, languages and kinship networks are also undergoing change. These shifts may reshape the social fabric of India, which has historically drawn its strength from family bonds and community traditions.
Yet one uncomfortable question persists. Why does a country that produces world-class graduates from institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology continue to witness the migration of so many of its brightest minds? The issue is not merely the attraction of foreign countries but the inability to create sufficient opportunities at home. Better research facilities, merit-based career advancement, transparent governance and globally competitive working conditions remain essential if India wishes to retain its talent.
The desire to migrate should not be mistaken for a lack of patriotism. Overseas Indians continue to celebrate Indian festivals, maintain family ties, invest in their homeland and contribute billions through remittances every year. Their emotional connection with India remains strong, even when their professional lives are rooted elsewhere.
The real challenge, therefore, is to provide security to the general public through good governance. We need to create an India where talented citizens choose to stay back and this may happen, when they find opportunity, dignity and hope at home. What more to ask from the state and society!
………….
The author is a sociologist, alumni of JNU and his research is quoted in the books of Nobel laureate economist Prof Amartya Sen
