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NRIs in US explain why they don’t return, video sparks debate
It has prompted a wider discussion on work culture, safety, material aspirations, and social judgment.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 04, Dec 2025
- 16:16 EST
- 19
Screengrab from the reel / Instagram (@albeli_ritu)
A street interview by an Indian content creator in the United States has gone viral after several Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) explained why they prefer not to return to India.
In the video, “Why do many NRIs choose not to return to India?”, posted by creator Albeli Ritu on Instagram, she asks people what keeps them from moving back.
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The first respondent says the privacy and lack of social judgment in the U.S. are major factors. “People in India are very judgmental… here, anybody can live without any care,” she says, adding that the freedom from scrutiny is one reason she does not want to return.
Another woman highlights the material affordability in the U.S. Calling America a capitalist market, she says, “The car that you can buy here with less salary, you could never afford that in India… there’s a lot of things you can just buy.”
She adds that those who appreciate material comforts tend to prefer the U.S., though “if you're looking for emotions and patriotism,” the country may feel different.
Others in the video point to better work culture and women’s safety in the U.S. as reasons that stop many Indians from moving back. The reel also mentions that work–life balance, personal space, and safety concerns frequently shape NRI decisions.
The video drew wide reactions online. Some viewers agreed with the respondents, while others challenged the generalizations. One commenter wrote that they missed India’s culture and could not adapt to what they described as a “superficial” lifestyle abroad.
Another viewer argued that while Indians may not judge each other abroad, “white people judge you every day,” adding that loneliness in the U.S. can be difficult to deal with.
Others pointed to women’s safety and air quality as significant factors, while some questioned whether the U.S. is free from judgment or hostility toward immigrants.
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