Prof. Mahesh Chand Gupta
US President Donald Trump has drastically increased the H-1B visa fee. While the fee was initially around Rs 80,000, it has now been increased to Rs 8 million. Naturally, Indian youth will no longer be able to travel to the United States in the same numbers as before. This decision has caused a worldwide uproar, which China is trying to capitalize on. It has announced a new category called the “K Visa,” under which it aims to attract young scientists and technical professionals from around the world. This visa will provide opportunities in education, culture, science, technology, and business.
For India, this situation presents both a major challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that, with the US closing its doors, China could attract our talent by offering new opportunities. The opportunity is that this is a golden opportunity for India to stop brain drain. Now, the need is for the government, industry, and corporate sector to work together to create an environment where our youth can fulfill their dreams while staying in the country. India has always been rich in education and talent, but brain drain is a major problem for us. Every year, millions of students complete their studies in engineering, medicine, management, and research, but unfortunately, a large number of them migrate abroad. The biggest reason for this is that India lacks adequate resources for research, employment opportunities are limited, and the available opportunities lack respect and security for qualified talent.
Doctors, engineers, scientists, and IT professionals are going abroad and strengthening the country’s economy, while India should benefit from their talent. On one hand, we spend crores of rupees on the education of our youth, and on the other hand, they leave the country due to lack of opportunities. This is a major loss to India’s development. Trump’s move to increase visa fees may be a cause of concern for many countries around the world, but I believe India should view it positively. When visas to the US have become so expensive that ordinary young people cannot afford to go there, this will naturally curb brain drain. This situation is no less than a boon for India. The question now is whether India will be able to seize this opportunity. If the government and industry create a better environment for young people, they will prefer to stay and work in India. However, if this does not happen, there is a possibility that disillusioned youth will be drawn to China.
Sensing the situation, China has swiftly introduced the “K Visa” option. Through this visa, it plans to provide opportunities for education, research, and business opportunities to talent from around the world. By doing so, it aspires to achieve its goal of leadership in global science and technology. If Indian youth begin to turn to China instead of the United States, it will be an even more serious situation for us. On the one hand, India will be deprived of its own talent, and on the other, China will try to overtake us by leveraging our own strengths. At such a time, we need deep introspection. The key question now is whether our youth will prove their mettle abroad or stay home and take India to new heights? The answer depends on the country’s policies and practices.
Currently, our youth hold senior positions in the world’s top 100 corporate companies, helping to expand their operations worldwide. Prominent Indian-origin leaders like Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Ajay Banga (World Bank), Arvind Krishna (IBM), and Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo) have brought glory to India globally. Their success proves that Indian minds are second to none on the global stage. The question is: if talented youth had received the necessary opportunities and environment within the country, could they have stayed here and made India a global leader? The answer to this question is definitely yes.
Had the infrastructure, research and development facilities, salaries, and other benefits that should have been provided to the country’s youth over the past seventy years, this brain drain would not have occurred. Our country is progressing rapidly, but we still lack a digital and technological edge. Furthermore, we lack our own reliable social media platform. We are dependent on foreign companies even for basic services like email services. We have not achieved self-reliance in computers, mobile phones, and chip technology. Even today, we depend on others for defense weapons and defense equipment, passenger aircraft, fighter jets, etc. We are completely dependent on world-leading institutions for computer and digital technology, higher education, data management, accounting and finance management, audit and consultancy, research technology, etc. We must rapidly change this situation. Otherwise, we will not be able to achieve the goal of a developed India.
Despite the immense presence of young talent, this situation is worrying. If our youth are provided with the necessary resources, research facilities, and financial support, they can make the country technologically self-reliant. The role of the government and society is crucial in this regard. Relying solely on the government is not enough to stop brain drain. The government should identify talented youth and provide research, startup, and employment opportunities tailored to their needs. Industrial groups should invest in research and innovation, providing youth with a world-class platform. The corporate sector should take responsibility for providing attractive salaries and a work culture within the country.
Times have changed. Nature desires to see India at its peak. Therefore, India is facing numerous challenges. Now is the time to transform these challenges into opportunities. Overall, the US move is positive for India. It should inspire us to take steps to retain our talent here and provide them with opportunities that allow them to work in the country instead of migrating abroad. If we provide opportunities to our youth here, the country’s economy will be strengthened. Self-reliance in the technological and digital sectors will be possible. The dream of Made in India will be realized. If the government, industry, and society work together in this direction, India can not only become self-reliant through its talent but also give the world a new direction. In this rapidly changing global landscape, it is imperative for our country of 1.45 billion citizens to become self-reliant in every field.
(The author is a renowned educationist, thinker, and speaker. He was a professor at Delhi University for 44 years.) |
