Anurag, a little boy in a small town who always aspired to become an IAS officer with an intent to serve for the needy people in India cracked the highly competitive JEE exam, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 2. It was a feat that not only made his family proud but also placed him among the brightest minds in the country. Born and raised in a small town, Anurag’s exceptional performance earned him a seat at IIT Madras, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. His journey seemed nothing short of a dream—one that many Indians would envy.
Anurag thrived in the rigorous environment of IIT, absorbing everything from advanced engineering principles to critical thinking. Upon graduation, he set his sights higher, enrolling in IIM Ahmedabad for an MBA. His ambition knew no bounds, and within a few years, Anurag was leading a startup that turned into a business empire worth crores. It seemed that India had given him every opportunity—a world-class education, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a growing economy to build his empire.
Yet, five years later, Anurag left India.
The Exodus: Why Did Anurag Leave?
For many, Anurag’s decision was baffling. Here was a man who had benefited from the best India had to offer—a top-tier education, a thriving business, and an adoring network of colleagues and family. But his decision to leave was neither sudden nor impulsive; it was rooted in a complex web of personal and professional motivations.
Global Access and Scale: Anurag’s startup had grown exponentially, but to scale it globally, he felt that India lacked the infrastructure, venture capital access, and ease of doing business that more developed markets like the US and Singapore offered. “Scaling globally from India felt like running uphill,” he remarked. Despite India’s progress, regulatory hurdles and bureaucracy often slowed down the pace of innovation, forcing Anurag to seek more conducive environments.
Taxation and Regulatory Friction: Running a large company in India came with its own set of challenges. Despite his success, Anurag felt burdened by India’s complex tax regime and regulatory framework. Every new venture required navigating layers of red tape, something that countries like the UAE, with their favorable tax policies, didn’t impose. For someone managing a rapidly growing company, time was money, and in India, both seemed to be slipping away faster than they should.
Quality of Life: Anurag had started a family, and while he adored his home country, the challenges of urban living in India weighed heavily on him. “It wasn’t just about me anymore,” he confessed. “It was about my children’s future—their education, their healthcare, and the overall quality of life.” Cities like Dubai or Singapore promised better infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems, making them appealing for a young family looking to thrive.
Access to Global Markets: Although his roots were deeply planted in India, his branches reached across the world. Global expansion required him to be closer to investors, markets, and talent pools that could take his business to the next level.
He knew that while India was a growing economy, the venture capital landscape and global business hubs were still more accessible in cities like New York, Dubai, and London.
The Larger Picture: A National Trend of Brain Drain
Anurag’s story isn’t an anomaly. India is witnessing a growing trend of brain drain, where thousands of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors like Anurag are leaving the country to pursue opportunities abroad. According to the Henley Global Citizens Report, over 8,000 millionaires moved out of India in 2023 alone. They are not just taking their wealth with them but also their expertise, innovation, and potential to further the nation’s growth.
India, despite being a talent powerhouse, faces an outflow of its most brilliant minds. Anurag’s reasons—taxation, bureaucracy, global access, and quality of life—mirror the motivations of many who choose to leave. This poses a significant challenge to the country’s future, as the very individuals who could drive India’s growth are building their futures elsewhere.
The Ripple Effects: What Does This Mean for India?
Anurag’s departure, like that of many others, isn’t just a loss for his hometown or his college. It’s a loss for India as a whole—a nation that had invested in his education, nurtured his talent, and created the initial environment for his success.
Loss of Innovation: Entrepreneurs like Anurag are the engines of innovation. When they leave, India loses not just one business, but an entire ecosystem that could have blossomed under his leadership. Anurag’s startup, had it stayed in India, could have created thousands of jobs, fostered new industries, and contributed to technological advancements.
Capital Flight: The outflow of wealth is a critical concern. Anurag’s decision to move his company abroad meant that his capital, future investments, and wealth would now benefit another nation. Capital that could have been reinvested into Indian markets, startups, and infrastructure was now contributing to the growth of foreign economies.
Impact on Society and Education: Anurag’s departure also creates a void in mentorship and role modeling. Young students and budding entrepreneurs no longer have access to leaders like him, weakening the talent pipeline that sustains innovation and leadership in critical sectors. The country loses not only in the business sphere but also in academia and research, where brain drain is equally problematic.
Government Investment Wastage: India invests heavily in education, especially through institutions like IIT and IIM. The loss of talent like Anurag’s represents a failure to capture the returns on these investments. The government pours significant resources into nurturing such talent, only to see them leave the moment they’re ready to make substantial contributions to the economy.
Anurag’s Dilemma: The Personal Cost of Leaving
Despite all the logical reasons for his decision, Anurag often reflected on what leaving India meant for him personally. “There’s a part of me that will always feel connected to home,” he admitted. “It’s not that I don’t love India, but I have to do what’s best for my family and my business.”
Anurag’s internal conflict mirrors that of many who leave. They are not blind to the opportunities India offers, nor are they ungrateful for the education and foundation the country gave them. Yet, the pull of better opportunities abroad is often too strong to ignore.
Is There a Way Back?
Anurag’s story, like many others, raises a pressing question: Can India create an environment that encourages its brightest minds to stay?
The government has recognized the problem, and initiatives like Startup India, Make in India, and tax reforms are a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that individuals like Anurag feel that their businesses can grow, thrive, and expand globally without leaving the country.
For now, Anurag remains part of India’s growing diaspora—a man who took the knowledge and opportunities India provided and built a global empire, but at the cost of leaving behind the country that gave him his start. And while he thrives in his new surroundings, the question remains: How long can India afford to lose its brightest minds before it becomes a crisis too deep to reverse?
Anurag may not feel guilty, but there’s no doubt that his departure has left a gap—one that India is eager to fill but is struggling to keep.
