The author introduces himself as someone who graduated from a top engineering college in India and completed his postgraduate studies in the United States. After working at a leading US bank, he returned to India in 2018 to start a company. Despite raising a huge amount of capital and employing nearly 30 employees with an average salary of Rs 15 lakh, the entrepreneur expressed disillusionment with the socio-economic conditions in India.
Main focus: Regulation, taxation and citizenship issues
According to the Times of India, the founders blamed India’s regulatory environment for stifling innovation. “You have to be a bureaucrat, a politician or a celebrity to get things done easily,” he wrote. To illustrate this point, he shared a personal anecdote about how his company helped the police solve a fraud case and even ensured the victim recovered his money. However, the case against his company was not closed and police officials demanded bribes. “This is India for you,” he said.
He also criticized high tax levels and poor public services such as roads and hospitals. “In short… leave this country where they will even tax your popcorn because there is no way they can make this a $5 trillion economy!” the post read.
The entrepreneur further described regularly facing “regional animosity” from service providers such as car drivers, taxi drivers and restaurant workers. Social status in India is closely linked to wealth and appearance, he added. “If you don’t look rich or wear famous brands [clothes]you are a filth to this country,” he claimed.
The post also talks about declining civic awareness, recalling an incident in Goa when he came across a group of people littering the streets. Their response was dismissive: “Mind your own business and pick up trash if you want.”
Economic collapse warnings and suggested alternatives
In addition to socio-economic challenges, the founders warned of an imminent economic collapse and a sharp devaluation of the Indian rupee. He urged professionals and innovators to consider relocating to countries such as the UAE or Thailand, citing better work environments and opportunities.
Reddit users had mixed reactions
The post received more than 300 comments before being deleted, sparking a wide range of opinions. A user living in Australia agreed with the founder, saying: “Indians pay a lot of taxes and get nothing in return. Bad roads, healthcare, bad infrastructure, massive corruption, pollution, [and] backward policies.
Another user responded humorously: “The day you pack your things and leave, tell me that my luggage has been packed and I will wait for you to close the door and follow me.”
While some expressed the founder’s dissatisfaction, others felt that the article painted an overly negative image of India, emphasizing that systemic change required active participation rather than immigration.
The sentiments expressed in the post resonate with recurring debates about the socio-economic status of India, especially that of entrepreneurs and professionals. Although India is the world’s fifth-largest economy, it still grapples with challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption and weak infrastructure.
This article reopens the discussion on how policymakers can address these issues to create a more conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether the concerns raised will lead to meaningful dialogue remains to be seen.