This blog post is based on our recent YouTube video where we discuss why studying abroad makes sense despite criticism. If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch it .
India’s Leaders and Hypocrisy
India’s Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankar, recently criticized the trend of studying abroad. However, his own daughter graduated from Beaver College in the USA and attended multiple summer courses in the UK, Italy, and Australia. This raises a key question: Why is it acceptable for political leaders’ children to study abroad but frowned upon when ordinary citizens do the same?
Examples abound:
Nirmala Sitharaman: Her daughter earned an MSc in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, USA.
Piyush Goyal: Both his children graduated from Harvard in investment banking.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan: His son pursued an LLM from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
If studying abroad is a “disease,” as some critics suggest, why is it celebrated when the elite do it? This double standard is glaring.
India’s Broken Systems: Healthcare, Hygiene, and Sanitation
Healthcare: A Broken System
Even with a salary above 10 LPA, accessing quality healthcare in India is a challenge. Only 2% of the population pays taxes, placing a heavy burden on a small segment. Government hospitals are often seen as last resorts due to poor infrastructure and negligence.
Example: On November 15, 2024, a fire in the NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College killed 10 newborns. Overcrowding and neglected safety protocols were primary reasons for the tragedy.
Hygiene and Sanitation: Persistent Challenges
India continues to struggle with sanitation issues. Open defecation and unsafe food practices are rampant:
Unsafe food: India sees 600 million infections and 4.2 lakh deaths annually due to unsafe food (FSSAI).
Adulteration: Fake ghee and sweets packaged as premium brands flood the market, highlighting lapses in regulatory enforcement.
Education: Unfair Practices and Declining Standards
India’s education funding has declined from 0.63% of GDP in 2014 to 0.33% in 2024, far behind countries like the USA, which allocate nearly 6% of GDP to education. This underfunding manifests in:
Dilapidated government schools with unmotivated teachers.
Frequent exam paper leaks—70 cases across 15 states in the past seven years.
These failures demoralize hardworking students and foster a culture of shortcuts and dishonesty.
Job Crisis: Why Talent Leaves India
While India boasts prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs, many graduates choose to settle abroad. The reasons are clear:
Lack of opportunities: UP Police received 93,000 applications for 62 peon positions, including 3,700 PhD holders.
High unemployment: India’s unemployment rate reached 8% in 2024, surpassing pandemic levels.
By contrast, developed countries offer efficient education systems and public accountability, making them attractive destinations for talent.
The Forex and Remittance Debate
India’s Vice President also cited the $6 billion spent on foreign education in 2023. However, he overlooked the $120 billion India received in remittances from Indians working abroad—20 times the expenditure. This inflow highlights the positive side of brain drain.
Final Thoughts
India is a land of contrasts: groundbreaking achievements like ISRO’s success coexist with systemic failures in healthcare, sanitation, and education. For those seeking to escape this chaos and thrive, studying abroad is often a logical step.
So, what do you think? Is studying abroad a “disease,” or is it a rational choice for a better life? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the discussion respectful.
Watch the full video for an in-depth analysis and visuals that bring these points to life.
