Dhara said one of the biggest reasons for returning was her desire for her children to be connected deeply with Indian values and traditions. (Videorgab)
After living 17 years in the United States, Dhara — an Indian-origin woman — recently chose to move back to India with her husband and twin children. In a series of Instagram videos, she explained that her decision sprang from a longing for community, culture, and sane healthcare costs. She said she wants her children to grow up “with our prayers, our stories, and what culture really feels like.”
Dhara said one of the biggest reasons for returning was her desire for her children to be connected deeply with Indian values and traditions. “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 said. In the US, she felt that raising kids often meant losing that daily closeness to roots and community.
She believes that India offers a sense of belonging — a strong support system among family, friends and wider community. That, she feels, is something priceless for her children’s upbringing.
The other big reason Dhara mentioned was healthcare challenges in the US. When she had her twins, she got only six weeks of maternity leave — not nearly enough to adjust to motherhood and recover. “I had twins and just six weeks of maternity leave to recover and figure out motherhood,” she said. After those six weeks, she had to return to normal life while still healing and exhausted.
In India, by contrast, maternity leave policies are more generous — offering 26 weeks. That difference matters a lot to new parents.
She also painted a bleak picture of US health insurance. For the privilege of coverage, her family had to meet a $14,000 deductible every year before insurance would kick in. On top of that, their monthly premium quotes soared up to $1,600 — and that didn’t even fully cover their twins. “Even simple concerns became expensive, slow, and stressful,” she said. What should have been routine doctor visits turned into stressful, costly sagas.
For Dhara, returning to India meant relief. She said here, good medical care feels accessible — not a luxury. She praised India’s network of capable doctors, quicker care, and a support system that truly feels supportive. In her words: “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.”
For a family with young kids, that matters more than anything else.
Her honest story struck a chord with many. On Instagram, her video went viral — garnering over 2.2 million views. On X and other social media platforms, people reshared it widely. Many resonated with her reasons. The mix of longing for community and culture, combined with practical concerns about healthcare, touched thousands of families who face similar choices.
Dhara’s decision to return to India highlights a broader shift among expats and diaspora families. Many feel torn between opportunities abroad and the desire for cultural roots, community, and affordability back home.
Her story raises important questions: Does high-cost foreign healthcare push families back to their home countries? Will more people follow? And do countries like India now have an advantage for those seeking balance between modern living and cultural identity?
For now, for Dhara and her family, choosing India felt right. Here, their twins can grow with traditions, community, care and belonging.
