Dr Rajeshwari Iyer, an Indian-origin academic and alumna of IIT Bombay and NIT Puducherry, has left India once again to settle permanently in the United States, expressing deep frustration with the country’s governance and societal atmosphere.
Her candid remarks on X (formerly Twitter) have gone viral, igniting debate over patriotism, progress, and personal choice.
Dr Iyer had previously returned to India from the US, driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. However, her recent post reveals that her idealism soon gave way to disillusionment.
“I genuinely wanted to build a life and contribute,” she wrote, “but the ground reality was different.”
Citing high taxes, lack of meritocracy, and rampant corruption, Iyer said she found herself in a system resistant to change and accountability.
She described a public mindset that defends misgovernance and ignores structural problems, adding, “Eventually, I packed up and left — this time, with clarity. And honestly, I’ve never felt more at peace.”
Though she emphasized that India would always be close to her heart, Iyer noted that she did not want to raise her children “in an environment of hate, noise, and wilful ignorance.”
Reactions on social media have been sharply divided. Some users empathized with her decision, highlighting the mental toll of battling systemic issues.
Others criticized her for abandoning the fight for change, arguing that meaningful progress demands staying and persevering.
While some praised her honesty, others called her views defeatist and questioned whether perfection was an unrealistic standard.
As her post continues to circulate, it has prompted wider reflection on India’s challenges — and the emotional cost of choosing between belonging and well-being.
