In a candid and deeply personal reflection shared on LinkedIn, entrepreneur Pooja Setia has sparked a significant conversation by revealing how her staunch resolve to never leave India has completely reversed over twelve years. Her post, which has resonated with thousands, outlines a journey from patriotic certainty to a painful reconsideration driven by concerns over basic living standards.
From a Firm "Never" to a Reluctant "Consider It"
Pooja Setia recalls that when her husband proposed a dozen years ago, she had one non-negotiable condition: they would never leave India. Her husband harbored dreams of life in the United States or Canada, but Setia was determined to stay close to her parents in her homeland. At the time, financial prospects or lifestyle upgrades were not her priorities.
"I genuinely believed I was choosing the best life possible — never imagining that clean air and potable water would one day feel like privileges, not basics," she wrote. Hailing from Abohar, a town in Punjab known for cleanliness challenges, she felt remaining in India was the unequivocally right choice.
However, marriage and the experience of motherhood gradually altered her perspective. Today, her stance is markedly different. She now advises that if someone has the opportunity to move abroad, they should give it serious thought.
The Breaking Basics: Air, Water, and Civic Life
Setia is quick to clarify that her new viewpoint is not born from a belief in foreign perfection. Instead, it stems from a distressing observation that fundamental necessities in India are deteriorating. "The air we breathe is toxic. The water we drink is unsafe — filtered, boiled, treated, and still questionable," she stated.
She described Indian cities as overcrowded, noisy, dirty, and relentlessly exhausting, where civic sense and hygiene are inconsistent. The financial burden of attaining a decent life is another key point in her argument. "We pay high taxes, and then we pay again for private healthcare, private education, air purifiers, RO filters, generators and gated communities. All of this — just to approximate a decent quality of life," she added.
For Setia, the core issue is that basic needs feel uncertain. She perceives governments as chasing vote banks while systems remain distant from ordinary citizens. While acknowledging that no country is flawless, she asserts that clean air and safe water should not be considered luxuries.
A Mother's Heartbreak and the Data Behind the Trend
The most poignant part of Setia's reflection ties her decision to her children's health. "Watching my family constantly reach for antihistamines and allergy medication because of dust, smog, and pollution — that’s not the life I want for them," she expressed. She concluded that sometimes, choosing your children's well-being means questioning the future you were once certain about, even if it breaks your heart.
Her personal story aligns with a broader national trend. According to government data from July 2025, India received a record $135.46 billion in remittances in 2024-25, marking a 14% rise. These inflows, categorized as "private transfers" by the Reserve Bank of India, now constitute over 10% of total money entering the country, solidifying India's position as the world's largest remittance recipient.
This financial flow is underpinned by a growing diaspora. The number of Indians working abroad reached 18.5 million in 2024, a figure that has tripled since 1990, with nearly half residing in Gulf nations.
Social Media Echoes a Divided Sentiment
Setia's post ignited a fervent discussion on LinkedIn. Many users shared her sense of disillusionment. One reply stated, "Loving your country doesn’t mean ignoring its realities. Clean air, safe water and basic civic infrastructure should be non-negotiables, not privileges." Another lamented the conversion of basic defaults into privileges.
However, a counter-narrative advocated for staying and contributing to change. Some suggested exploring remote work opportunities in different parts of India to alleviate pressure on major cities. "I agree and still would want to live here and do my part. I would like to stay optimistic for my country," one user posted, emphasizing personal responsibility in improving the environment for the next generation.
Pooja Setia's journey from unwavering commitment to her homeland to advocating for a pragmatic consideration of life abroad captures a complex and emotional dilemma facing many urban Indian families today, caught between deep-rooted attachment and the pressing desire for a secure, healthy future.
