A 27-year-old Delhi-based software engineer working at a leading FAANG firm recently shared a heartfelt Reddit post announcing his decision to leave India. He cited deeply frustrating experiences with bureaucratic red tape, fear of harassment, and the lack of basic infrastructure, even in affluent areas, as driving factors.
The post resonated widely with young Indian professionals facing similar struggles. Officials acknowledge ongoing reforms but admit challenges persist. This story highlights a growing wave of disillusionment that threatens to push India’s brightest talent abroad.
Bureaucracy, Infrastructure, and Safety: The Breaking Point
In a detailed post on the r/delhi subreddit titled “Finally decided to leave India,” the techie shared his journey from passionate patriot to disheartened expatriate hopeful.
Despite graduating from a Tier-1 engineering college and a flourishing career, his repeated encounters with government inefficiencies left him mentally exhausted. “No basic infrastructure,” he wrote, pointing out that in Delhi’s posh colonies residents buy water, use air purifiers to combat polluted air, and face flooding due to inadequate drainage each monsoon. Driving, he said, was “like playing roulette,” reflecting a wider public safety concern.
His final trigger was a recent personal ordeal within the judiciary and bureaucracy where, “an honest, tax-paying individual will always face injustice because someone with a pen and authority can destroy you without consequences.” This sentiment struck a chord with thousands of social media users who echoed similar experiences of burnout and disillusionment. Many commentators underlined that this was not merely a financial exit but a rejection of what they described as the “basic dignity of life.”
The Larger Exodus and Its Ramifications
India continues to be the world’s largest source of international migrants, with over 2.5 million Indians leaving annually, according to International Migration Outlook 2023 figures. The recent wave of youth migrating abroad cites not just better salaries but cleaner environments, safer streets, and more accountable governance as motivations.
Professionals like this 27-year-old signify a concerning brain drain affecting innovation and growth potential domestically. Latest reports show India recorded a 12-year high in citizens renouncing their nationality, with destinations like the US, Canada, Australia, UAE, and Singapore popular among émigrés. Economists warn that losing such talent without addressing root causes risks undermining India’s long-term development ambitions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This story is a wake-up call to India’s policymakers and society at large. The aspirations of India’s youth are a cornerstone of its promise for the future. When those aspirations are met with delays, harassment, and insecurity, it not only dampens ambition but compels many to seek life elsewhere. Ensuring basic dignity, through efficient governance, reliable infrastructure, and secure environments, must be a national priority that transcends politics.
The Logical Indian believes fostering empathy and constructive dialogue can drive systemic improvements and create a society where young professionals feel valued and safe, not hollowed out by bureaucracy or fear.
Finally decided to leave India
byu/eklavye indelhi
