'A hug from parents costs Rs 1.5 lakh': CA points out the hidden cost of life outside India
He begins by addressing the emotional cost. Loneliness, he writes, is a silent tax you pay every day. Festivals lose their warmth, family dinners become video calls, and you blow out birthday candles alone. "A simple hug from parents costs a 15-hour flight and a Rs 1.5 lakh ticket,' Kaushik laments.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Operations Management
Artificial Intelligence
Design Thinking
Others
Data Science
Data Science
MCA
Degree
Project Management
healthcare
Technology
PGDM
Management
others
Healthcare
MBA
Digital Marketing
Public Policy
Data Analytics
Leadership
Cybersecurity
Finance
Product Management
CXO
Skills you'll gain:
Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma
Analytical Tools
Supply Chain Management & Strategies
Service Operations Management
Duration:
10 Months
IIM Lucknow
IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics
Starts on
Jan 27, 2024
Get Details
He then turns to a detail many Indians take for granted: domestic help. In India, a maid is often a part of daily life. Abroad? Be ready to wash, clean, and cook—often after a full day's work. And if you try to outsource it? Prepare to shell out $25 to $50 an hour.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute
Navy Quest
Undo
Kaushik also takes a hard look at healthcare, calling it 'a highway to bankruptcy.' An ambulance ride can cost over Rs 80,000, and even basic tests can leave a dent in your wallet. 'In India, quality healthcare is still within reach for the middle class,' he notes.
— Finance_Bareek (@Finance_Bareek)
Racism, too, isn't left out. Whether subtle or direct, Kaushik says it exists through judgments based on skin tone, accents, or cultural identity. For those raising children abroad, Kaushik highlights the cultural dilemma. Indian values often clash with Western lifestyles, leaving kids caught between two worlds. 'In India, sanskaar comes naturally from the environment,' he says.
Even the financial freedom that often lures people abroad isn't without caveats. 'You earn in dollars, but you spend in dollars too,' Kaushik warns. Every outing, meal, or activity adds up quickly, whereas in India, he argues, a moderate income can offer a royal lifestyle.
He ends with a stark contrast many overseas Indians relate to: identity. No matter how long you live abroad, the question 'Where are you originally from?' never quite disappears. 'In India, you are, and always will be—Apna.'
His final thought? 'Living abroad gives money. Living in India gives meaning.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Trade SOP in limbo, India takes novel approach in ‘dynamic' talks with US
As uncertainty over the India-US interim trade deal continues following the conclusion of an extended round of negotiations, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has adopted a fresh approach — operating outside the purview of the standard operating procedure (SOP) which has been under preparation since last year —to respond to challenging US demands, The Indian Express has learnt. The Ministry had begun preparations in May last year to compile a 60-page SOP to address the lack of consistent and streamlined procedures for negotiating future trade agreements. This was aimed at guiding the process of launching, conducting, and concluding trade negotiations, and addressed issues such as human resource mobilisation, negotiation team formation, and the composition and hierarchy of negotiating teams. 'The SOP for trade negotiations, which was supposed to be finalised by the top brass of the government, could not be completed due to internal disagreements. As far as the US deal is concerned, negotiations had to be conducted outside the scope of the SOP to tackle the dynamic nature of US trade negotiations,' a government official said on condition of anonymity. US President Donald Trump had initially set a July 9 deadline for countries to sign a trade deal and avoid steep reciprocal tariffs, later revising the deadline to August 1. Trump also announced fresh tariffs on dozens of countries, including Canada, the EU, Brazil, and several ASEAN nations. However, he stated that a deal with India is close. While extensive consultations with industry — ranging from textiles to automobiles — have been taking place, several farmer bodies and state ministers have begun raising concerns over the lack of consultation during the ongoing negotiations for the US deal, which could involve opening up India's agricultural market. Kerala's Minister for Agriculture, P Prasad, said earlier this month that the livelihoods of lakhs of Kerala's rubber, coconut, dairy, and poultry farmers could be at risk if the Centre fails to protect Indian farmers' interests in the negotiations. Prasad said that Kerala had not been consulted on the deal and added that the India-ASEAN trade agreement had previously had a negative impact on the state. The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM), representing farmers from 11 states, said agriculture should be excluded from the trade deal. It highlighted that the US is one of the world's largest exporters of synthetic rubber. 'The US is one of the biggest exporters of synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber imports have seriously impacted the farm-gate price of natural rubber in India. India imported Rs 1,556.54 crore worth of synthetic rubber and related products from the US in 2017–18, and Rs 71,490.73 crore in 2018–19. If India reduces import duties on synthetic rubber from the US, it will severely affect rubber farmers,' the ICCFM said. Farmers also warned that if India signs a trade deal with the US, the latter could import raw sugar from Brazil, process it in the US, and then export it to India—hurting the domestic sugar industry. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM Modi in UK this week, FTA & boosting ties top on agenda
File photo NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi and his counterpart Keir Starmer will review progress under India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with specific focus on trade and economy, technology, defence, security, education, and people to people exchanges in a bilateral meeting on July 24, said govt in an official announcement of the PM's UK visit this week. Modi will also call on King Charles III during the visit that is expected to see formalisation of their free trade agreement (FTA). Govt also announced Modi's visit to Maldives where he will be the guest of honour on the July 26 Independence Day. This will be Modi's first visit to the country since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in Nov 2023, signalling a complete turnaround in ties since the controversial expulsion of Indian military personnel from archipelago, and also the first by any Indian PM on Maldives independence anniversary. Anti-India leader and former President Abdulla Yameen had in 2017 invited then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif for the same event. TOI had first reported on June 2 that India and Maldives were discussing a visit to Male by Modi on their Independence Day. During Modi's visit to UK, both sides are expected to formally sign the landmark FTAIndia and UK finalised in May. This will be Modi's fourth visit to UK. The leaders have endorsed FTA covering trade in goods and services, as a balanced, equitable and ambitious deal that would enhance bilateral trade and generate new avenues for employment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'During the visit, Modi will hold wide ranging discussions with Starmer on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,' MEA said. In case of Maldives, it will also be the first visit by a head of state or govt to the country during Muizzu's presidency. According to Male, the visit carries 'profound significance' as it coincides with the Independence Day and will see inauguration of several joint projects, along with signing of agreements in a range of sectors. 'PM will be the guest of honour at the 60th anniversary celebrations of Independence of Maldives. The two leaders will take stock of the progress in implementation of India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership', adopted during State Visit of the President of Maldives to India in Oct 2024,' said govt in its announcement. 'The visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision Mahasagar. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to further deepen and strengthen the close bilateral relationship,' it added.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Japan election results: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to be removed soon? Question rises after ruling coalition loses Sunday's vote
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's future was unclear Monday after his coalition appeared to have disastrously lost its upper house majority in elections that saw strong gains by a right-wing populist party. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost continuously since 1955, and its partner Komeito had to win 50 seats in Sunday's vote but they secured only around 41, according to local media projections. Voters angry at inflation turned to other parties, notably the "Japanese first" Sanseito, which made strong gains with its "anti-globalist" drive reminiscent of US President Donald Trump's agenda. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Product Management Cybersecurity PGDM Design Thinking CXO Management Others Degree Leadership MBA others Digital Marketing Data Analytics healthcare Finance Public Policy Data Science Data Science Project Management Artificial Intelligence Technology Healthcare Operations Management MCA Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details The debacle comes only months after Ishiba's coalition also lost its majority in the lower house, suffering the LDP's worst result in 15 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo 68-year-old Ishiba, a self-avowed policy "geek" seen as a safe pair of hands when he won the LDP leadership in September -- on his fifth attempt -- was tight-lipped late Sunday about his future. "It's a difficult situation, and we have to take it very humbly and seriously," Ishiba told broadcaster NHK. Asked about his future, he said only that he "cannot speak lightly of it". Live Events "We can't do anything until we see the final results, but we want to be very aware of our responsibility," Ishiba added. If he goes, it was unclear who might step up as the LDP's 11th premier since 2000 now that the government needs opposition support in both chambers. "Ishiba may be replaced by someone else, but it's not clear who will be the successor," Hidehiro Yamamoto, politics and sociology professor at the University of Tsukuba, told AFP. After years of stagnant or falling prices, consumers in the world's fourth-largest economy have been squeezed by inflation since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In particular, the price of rice has doubled, squeezing many household budgets despite government handouts. Not helping is lingering resentment about an LDP funding scandal, and US tariffs of 25 percent due to bite from August 1 if there is no trade deal with the United States. Japanese imports are already subject to a 10 percent tariff, while the auto industry, which accounts for eight percent of jobs, is reeling from a 25 percent levy. Weak export data last week, which showed plummeting US-bound auto deliveries, stoked fears that Japan could tip into a technical recession. Despite Ishiba securing an early meeting with Trump in February, and sending his trade envoy to Washington seven times, there has been no accord. The last time the LDP and Komeito failed to win a majority in the upper house was in 2010, having already fallen below the threshold in 2007. That was followed by a rare change of government in 2009, when the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan governed for a rocky three years. Today, the opposition is fragmented, and chances are slim that the parties can form an alternative government. Populist opposition party Sanseito wants "stricter rules and limits" on immigration, opposes "globalism" and "radical" gender policies, and wants a rethink on decarbonisation and vaccines. Last week, it was forced to deny any links to Moscow -- which has backed populist parties elsewhere -- after a candidate was interviewed by Russian state media.
