A post on LinkedIn read like this: “If you have a good job, bright prospects, and are generally happy in India, don’t move overseas. Moving to the West today is like arriving at a party at 3 a.m. — the good times are over. Western economies no longer have the capacity to offer white-collar jobs to large numbers of immigrants.”

These lines by Vinay Aggarwal, CEO of Indovision Services Pvt Ltd, resonate with what migrants facing discrimination feel. With the rising instances of attacks on Indians in Ireland and the anti-migrant scene playing out in the US, it seems only appropriate for a CEO of a company to voice out against the unreal picture being painted by people living overseas. “They (friends and relatives) will always give you a false picture. They may even want you to move so they have company,” says Aggarwal.

He adds that migrants are usually forced to deal with discrimination that impacts their career growth and social wellbeing. “You will have to work twice as hard for half the rewards. Juniors may be promoted over you. People won’t touch your food at shared lunches. Every time India sends a spacecraft to the moon, you’ll hear people say you’re a poor country wasting money,” wrote Aggarwal.

“Unless you are fleeing the police or loan sharks, or are desperately poor, you’ll likely come back to India,” he said, indicating it is better to first visit a country before planning the major move.

While admitting to the fact that India is replete with challenges, Aggarwal pointed out that it’s better to be a “first-class citizen here than a second- or third-class immigrant abroad”.

His remarks caused a stir among those who disagreed with his viewpoint. One comment read: “Very prejudiced and extreme. It makes sense to take a calculated risk, but this paints a one-sided picture.” – editor@nrifocus.com