NRI Woman Shares Why She Returned to India After 17 Years in the US: ‘Reality Hit Me…’
An Indian-American woman, Dhara, has gone viral on social media after opening up about her decision to return to India after spending 17 years in the United States. Dhara moved to the US at the age of 15, later married an Indian-origin man, and welcomed twins there. But over the past few years, she and her husband began seriously considering a move back to India — a plan they eventually put into action after careful preparation.
In two recent Instagram videos, Dhara detailed the key reasons behind their decision, emphasising the importance of community, culture, and accessible healthcare.
Raising Children With Culture and Community
Dhara said her top motivation was ensuring her children grew up with a strong sense of cultural belonging.
“In India, my twins are growing up with our prayers, our stories, and what culture really feels like — not just what it sounds like on a holiday,” she explained.
She added that being surrounded by extended family, traditions, and shared values was something she did not want her children to miss.
‘Reality Hit Me’: Becoming a Mother in the US Healthcare System
The second factor, Dhara said, was the rising cost of healthcare in the United States and the limited maternity support available to new mothers.
“I had twins and just six weeks of maternity leave to recover and figure out motherhood,” she said. “After those six weeks, like every mom, I was expected to return to normal life while still healing, still exhausted.”
In comparison, India legally provides 26 weeks of maternity leave for most working women — more than four times the leave available to many mothers in the US.
The Weight of Soaring Medical Costs
Dhara said the financial strain of healthcare in the US became overwhelming.
“For the privilege of having health insurance, we had to hit a $14,000 deductible every single year,” she said. This meant the family had to pay most medical expenses upfront until reaching that amount.
Even after meeting their deductible, their insurance premiums kept increasing. “The cheapest quote we received was $1,600 per month with a $15,000 deductible — and this didn’t even include our twins,” she explained.
Routine check-ups, pediatric visits, and even minor concerns turned into costly and time-consuming processes. “Simple issues became slow, expensive, and stressful,” Dhara said.
Healthcare Feels Accessible in India, She Says
In contrast, Dhara described India’s healthcare system as more approachable and practical for everyday needs.
“In India, healthcare doesn’t feel like a luxury. We have access to good doctors, quicker care, and a support system that actually feels accessible,” she said.
Viral Impact
Her video has garnered over 2.2 million views on Instagram and has been widely reshared on X (formerly Twitter), sparking discussions among NRIs, new parents, and healthcare professionals.
HT.com has reached out to Dhara for a comment, and this story will be updated when a response is received.
