Staying is the best way to give back!

My country is also very dear to me, as those who know me know. In my school, in my college, and even now, I feel my country is more important to me than anything else.

My mother used to read stories from the book "Our Leaders" which had nine volumes about Indian freedom fighters. Savarkar jumping off the ship to use the toilet in Marseille, Chandrashekhar Azad using his last bullet to kill himself from his colt pistol, or Jayprakash Narayan climbing the walls of Hazaribagh Central Jail to launch the QUIT INDIA Movement in 1942. Remember it all! The truth is that my generation doesn't remember a lot of what went down to bring us what we have today. It's all history, after all. But freedom wasn't easy! A bloody struggle fought for an independent and free India in which future generations could dream, contribute to nation-building economically, and ensure that the Indian elephant would keep marching.?

When scientists, health care providers, entrepreneurs, and other business and management talent consistently leave the country of birth for opportunities abroad, it creates a persistent drag on the home country’s economy and blights its growth. Brain drain has long vexed Indian policymakers.?

On this Independence Day, I wanted to bring attention to the talented young Indians moving abroad who, I believe, are making a generational mistake. Economically, India has come a long way over the past 75 years. In the 11th century, India contributed 33% of Global GDP before any foreign conquest, but that number dropped to less than 1% on the eve of Independence (As per estimated by Angus Madison, British Economist). As of today, India makes up 4% of the world's GDP. Any GDP (nominal or real) estimate places it among the top 6 economies in the world. Also, it is the world's fastest-growing large economy. What is the point of moving outside if there are opportunities here? At a time when we are experiencing our demographic dividend, isn't it our collective responsibility to make India a better place? Investing in education seems squandered when educated people leave for greener pastures. Some of the economic tolls are mitigated by remittances from emigrants. Nevertheless, it's not enough!

?To mitigate the drain, governments can also take the following steps:

1. Ensure business-friendly policies are formulated and encourage entrepreneurs and emigrants to return.?
2. Quality of life is important. A growing number of people are escaping for a quality of life. Taiwan is successfully combating this problem. Scientists and entrepreneurs gained access to the international community when Taiwan subsidized Western-style housing and hosted international conferences.
3. Indians should run Indian divisions for Global Brands. The beverage company Diageo emphasizes local talent development. Organizers question whether top managers need to rotate through developed markets as part of their training.

Victor Hugo said, "No force can stop an idea whose time has come." India’s time is now. And you want to be on this bus! So, this independence day is a fitting opportunity for us to ask ourselves - are we boarding this bus or not?