‘I left the US after H-1B stamped travel’: Indian professional explains why he returned and the difficulties he faced
An Indian professional who returned from the US shares his experience of moving back home after the H-1B stamping journey became a turning point in his life. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu responded on X after he published an open letter urging Indians living in the US to consider returning to India.In response to the letter, the professional stated that his decision to move back to the United States began during an H-1B visa stamped trip six years ago. During that visit, a conversation with his uncle made him rethink his future plans.His uncle asked him, “If you eventually want to do something yourself, why not do it in India? Create value here.” About six months later, he moved back to India.Upon returning, he said one of the biggest positives was being closer to his family. He described being able to spend more time with his parents, celebrate holidays with relatives, and have a richer social life.He also talked about the career opportunities he found in India. According to him, making connections and accessing the network is easier than what he experienced in the United States. “One phone call can open doors that would require months of LinkedIn outreach in Chicago or the Bay Area,” he writes.He also highlighted the relief of not having to deal with the uncertainty associated with visas. “There are no pending visas or green cards, no whispers in the parking lot of ‘Go back to your country.’ You’re home,” he said.However, the professional also shared the difficulties he faced after returning home. He said issues related to infrastructure, traffic, business processes and pollution were part of daily life.Addressing the civic issue, he said roads were being dug repeatedly for different works without proper coordination. “The road to the office itself is dug for at least nine months of the year! Water, then cables, then broken drainage boards, then white tops, then water again,” he wrote.He also spoke about the challenges of running a business, claiming that obtaining permits often takes longer than expected and involves frequent inspections.He noted that commuting remains a major issue and said air quality comes at a premium. “A twenty-minute commute takes sixty minutes. Every room needs an air purifier,” he wrote.The professional also expressed concern about the cost of housing, saying it remains difficult for many salaried professionals to buy a home in a good location.He further cited challenges related to finding affordable, quality schools, public spaces and the daily disruption caused by clogged sidewalks, traffic and speakers.Despite these concerns, he said they weren’t enough to make him regret coming back. He said his decision was based on a combination of factors, including family, opportunity and a desire to contribute to India. “I’m here because this equation works for me,” he wrote.He added that people living abroad should carefully consider what they are trading before deciding to return home. “Bharat needs us, yes. But Bharat must also become a place worth coming to, not just a place we should go to,” he wrote.
