Where Is the Great Indian Dream and Why India’s Youth Are Leaving the Country in Search of a Future
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Above is the Global TV Concept of 1 to 99 | Let everything remain as it is | CLICK THE LINK
During the discussion on the Union Budget 2026, MP Saket Gokhale brought the focus back to an uncomfortable truth. India’s economic narrative is increasingly disconnected from the everyday struggles of its youth. Budgets today, he argued, are no longer shaped by policy choices but by personalities and grand political storytelling. The constant reference to the past or to distant promises of 2047 leaves young Indians with no answers for the present, where they are trying to find jobs, afford housing, and build stable lives.
The Absence of a Clear Indian Dream
One of the most powerful questions raised in Gokhale’s speech was about vision. While other nations built their growth around a shared idea of opportunity and upward mobility, India has failed to clearly define what success looks like for its young people. Instead of nurturing ambition, the current system often discourages questioning and critical thinking. According to Gokhale, dreams are being replaced with slogans, and aspiration is slowly being treated as a problem rather than a strength.
Education That Pushes Students Away
For many young Indians, the journey out of the country begins with higher education. Despite stricter visa rules abroad, students continue to leave in large numbers because Indian universities do not provide an environment that rewards innovation and research. Gokhale highlighted that while higher education receives significant funding on paper, only a very small fraction is allocated to research and innovation. This sends a clear message that original thinking is not a priority, forcing students to look elsewhere to explore their potential.
Degrees Without Jobs and Jobs Without Security
The failure of the education system feeds directly into unemployment and underemployment. A large percentage of Indian graduates are considered unemployable, and many highly qualified young people are forced to apply for low paying and insecure jobs. Youth unemployment remains high, and even those who are employed often work long hours for inadequate pay. Gokhale emphasized that the real crisis lies not just in job creation, but in the lack of quality, dignified employment.
Economic Growth That Does Not Translate Into Prosperity
India’s position as one of the world’s largest economies is often celebrated, but this headline figure hides a harsher reality for young citizens. In terms of purchasing power, India ranks very low globally. Gokhale pointed out that urban Indian youth are poorer in real terms than young people in several conflict affected countries. Rising taxes, low wages, and job insecurity make economic growth feel distant and abstract rather than empowering.
A Declining Quality of Urban Life
Quality of life has become a decisive factor in why young Indians choose to leave. Clean drinking water often requires private spending, air pollution dominates major cities, and healthcare remains underfunded and expensive. Road safety continues to be a major concern, with hundreds of deaths every day despite heavy infrastructure spending. Housing costs in large cities consume a significant portion of young workers’ salaries, leaving little room for savings or personal growth.
Urban Development That Feels Superficial
Gokhale also questioned the impact of large scale urban projects such as the Smart Cities mission. After years of investment, he challenged whether India can genuinely claim to offer globally competitive, livable cities. For young people navigating overcrowded transport, unsafe roads, and unaffordable housing, these projects appear disconnected from daily realities.
Who Is Saket Gokhale and Why His Voice Matters
Saket Gokhale has emerged as a prominent parliamentary voice known for his emphasis on data, transparency, and lived experience. Having lived in several Indian cities as well as abroad, his critique is grounded in comparison rather than ideology. His focus on youth issues reflects a broader concern that India risks losing not just talent, but belief, if policies continue to ignore everyday struggles.
Why the Youth Are Choosing to Leave
The message underlying Gokhale’s speech is clear. Young Indians are not leaving because they lack patriotism or attachment to their country. They are leaving because the system does not provide quality education, meaningful work, affordable living, or a dignified quality of life. Until budgets and policies begin to seriously address these realities, the question will continue to echo across the country: where is the Great Indian Dream, and who is it really meant for?
