A Hug from Parents Costs ₹1.5 Lakh’: CA Nitin Kaushik’s Viral Post Reflects Hidden Costs of Life Abroad
A Hug from Parents Costs ₹1.5 Lakh’: CA Nitin Kaushik’s Viral Post Reflects Hidden Costs of Life Abroad
While life overseas may look glamorous on social media, Kaushik’s powerful reflection highlights the emotional and cultural sacrifices many Indians make after moving abroad.
A heartfelt and brutally honest post by Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik has struck a deep chord with thousands across the internet. In a viral thread on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Still dreaming of moving abroad? Here’s the reality they don’t show you!”, Kaushik lays bare the emotional, cultural, and financial costs of leaving India for a foreign dream.
Kaushik opens with a poignant reminder of what’s often lost: “Loneliness is a silent tax you pay every day,” he writes. Celebrations like Diwali and birthdays lose their warmth, family dinners are reduced to video calls, and the comfort of a parent’s embrace comes at a steep cost—“A simple hug from parents costs a 15-hour flight and a ₹1.5 lakh ticket.”
He then touches on everyday realities that are taken for granted in India. Domestic help, for example, is a common convenience. “Abroad, be ready to wash, clean, and cook after a long workday. Outsourcing? That’ll cost you $25–$50 an hour,” he explains.
Kaushik doesn’t shy away from addressing social undercurrents either. Racism, he notes, while sometimes subtle, persists through judgments on skin color, accents, or cultural norms. He also highlights the identity crisis many children of Indian immigrants face, caught between traditional Indian values and modern Western lifestyles. “In India, sanskaar comes naturally from the environment,” he adds.
Even the financial aspect, the prime driver for many to move abroad comes with a warning. “You earn in dollars, but you spend in dollars too. Every meal or movie adds up quickly. In India, a moderate income can give you a royal life,” Kaushik argues.
He concludes with a profound comparison between the two worlds. “Abroad, you’re always asked: ‘Where are you originally from?’ In India, you are, and always will be, Apna,” he writes.
Kaushik’s final words capture the essence of his message: “Living abroad gives money. Living in India gives meaning.”
The post has resonated deeply with people of all ages, sparking an emotional debate about the realities of migration, belonging, and what truly defines a good life.
