An Indian man living in Sweden has gone viral after saying he is returning to Delhi because life in India, despite chaos and pollution, feels emotionally easier.
Ankur Tyagi, who has been living in Europe for the past five years, shared his thoughts on X on Monday, while responding to another user who said he understood why people want to leave India due to issues like pollution, corruption, high taxes and real estate prices.
While stating his point, X user Harkirat Singh wrote: “The more time I spend in India, the more I realise why people want to leave (I particularly am not leaving, but I get the appeal). 1. Talent density is sparse 2. AQI 3. Unreasonably high real estate prices 4. Corruption normalised 5. Insane taxes, not enough ROI. Something would probably need to change on a fundamental level.”
Responding to this, Ankur stated his experience of living in Europe.
“I live in the EU now from past 5 years and people think it is all clean air, good roads and perfect social systems,” part of his X post read.
“Nobody really knows what it takes to build a life here. You do everything alone. You cook, clean, manage bills, raise your kid and fight the silence that hits you every single winter,” he added.
“Friends are polite but distant. Community is rare. Back home you fight corruption and chaos but at least you have people around you. In west problems are different and they cut deeper in ways you can’t explain unless you’ve lived it. Every place has a cost. Most of us are just learning which cost we can survive.
“Coming to Delhi on 5th dec f*** AQI who cares i live in 10 AQI for entire year i need some real oxygen now of friends and family…see you soon India,” he added.
His post quickly gained thousands of views and sparked strong reactions.
You either arrive young enough to blend in and integrate and become "one of them" …or you're older and you find your crowd there.
— Michael Kove (@michael_kove) November 24, 2025
When I got to US at 13, I quickly became American and I couldn't understand how older immigrants from former Soviet union would still hangout with…
Be prepared. My cofounder visited Delhi after living in Kerala for months (30–40 AQI) and he couldn't get out of bed for a week 😬
— Sachin Neravath (@SachinNeravath) November 25, 2025
Seriously, this is your take to justify corruption?
— Mr_Sunil (@Sunil_mra) November 25, 2025
Know a lot of Indians who came back from abroad because they wanted someone else to clean their cars, cook their food and clean their homes.
— Instant Info (@InstantInfo07) November 25, 2025
