'I genuinely wanted to contribute, but...,' Why this IIT alumna gave up on India

An Indian-origin academic, who had returned to India from the United States to “contribute” meaningfully to the country’s growth, has now moved back to the US permanently, citing deep disillusionment with the ground reality she encountered. Her candid reflections have gone viral on social media, sparking widespread debate.

Dr Rajeshwari Iyer, an alumna of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Puducherry, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her reasons for leaving India once more--this time, she said, “with clarity.”

Having earlier returned from the US driven by a sense of purpose and patriotism, Iyer said she hoped to build a life in India and contribute to its development. “I genuinely wanted to build a life and contribute. But the ground reality was different,” she wrote.

In her post, Iyer criticised what she described as a public mood that defends poor governance and overlooks structural issues. She cited “high taxes, no merit, and unchecked corruption” as part of a broader culture that, in her view, lacked accountability. “Eventually, I packed up and left -- this time, with clarity. And honestly, I’ve never felt more at peace,” she added.

Though she emphasised that India would always remain close to her heart, Iyer said she no longer wished to raise her children “in an environment of hate, noise, and wilful ignorance.”

Her remarks have divided opinion online. Supporters praised her for making a personal choice in favour of peace and mental well-being. “Some of us stayed... and we’re trying. One small battle at a time,” one user wrote in support.

Others, however, were more critical, questioning her decision to leave rather than persevere. “How far will we keep running? We need people like you to stay and fight,” commented one user.

Another added, “If your parents thought like you, you would not have known the wonder that is India... Your kids would be fine too. Stop with the obsession of perfection.”

Several commentators pointed out that all countries have their challenges, but argued that India’s resilience and spirit made staying worthwhile. One user respectfully asked Iyer to reflect further: “What was the condition of India when you first went abroad? What were your expectations when you returned? Have you noticed any changes since?”