The contrast between countries like the uae and india has become increasingly stark, especially for educated, tax-paying citizens who feel overburdened and underrewarded. For around ₹23 lakh, one can obtain a uae Golden Visa, enjoy 0% income tax, world-class infrastructure, clean urban planning, and a high quality of life.
In comparison, indian citizens often pay nearly a third of their income in direct taxes, followed by some of the highest indirect taxes in the world—28% GST on many goods and services—only to receive crumbling infrastructure, erratic utilities, and a bureaucracy that thrives on inefficiency. For the hardworking middle class, particularly from the general category, this disparity feels not only unfair but suffocating.
Despite being sold grand visions like Make in india and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital india, the average citizen finds little change in everyday life. Precision goods like electronics, appliances, or even quality clothing often cost significantly more in india than in other countries, even after adjusting for shipping and logistics. The example of a $199 Marshall speaker costing ₹28,000 in India—over ₹11,000 more—highlights how taxation and import duties drive prices to absurd levels.
The government’s justification often comes wrapped in nationalistic rhetoric about boosting local manufacturing, but in reality, india still lacks the ecosystem to produce high-end, globally competitive consumer goods. Instead of empowering local consumers, these policies end up punishing them for wanting quality, while encouraging black markets and grey imports.
The deeper frustration arises from a system that seems to reward populism over performance. Taxpayers feel like ATMs funding vote-bank politics through freebies, endless subsidies, and caste-based reservations—while their own aspirations and needs are sidelined. The message seems to be: if you're honest, self-reliant, and hardworking, prepare to be drained, not supported. No wonder then that an increasing number of indian professionals, entrepreneurs, and students are looking abroad—not out of disloyalty, but simply because they want a life where their effort leads to opportunity, not punishment. Unless india urgently reforms its tax regime, rewards merit, and delivers tangible governance outcomes, this brain and capital drain will only accelerate.
In comparison, indian citizens often pay nearly a third of their income in direct taxes, followed by some of the highest indirect taxes in the world—28% GST on many goods and services—only to receive crumbling infrastructure, erratic utilities, and a bureaucracy that thrives on inefficiency. For the hardworking middle class, particularly from the general category, this disparity feels not only unfair but suffocating.
Despite being sold grand visions like Make in india and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital india, the average citizen finds little change in everyday life. Precision goods like electronics, appliances, or even quality clothing often cost significantly more in india than in other countries, even after adjusting for shipping and logistics. The example of a $199 Marshall speaker costing ₹28,000 in India—over ₹11,000 more—highlights how taxation and import duties drive prices to absurd levels.
The government’s justification often comes wrapped in nationalistic rhetoric about boosting local manufacturing, but in reality, india still lacks the ecosystem to produce high-end, globally competitive consumer goods. Instead of empowering local consumers, these policies end up punishing them for wanting quality, while encouraging black markets and grey imports.
The deeper frustration arises from a system that seems to reward populism over performance. Taxpayers feel like ATMs funding vote-bank politics through freebies, endless subsidies, and caste-based reservations—while their own aspirations and needs are sidelined. The message seems to be: if you're honest, self-reliant, and hardworking, prepare to be drained, not supported. No wonder then that an increasing number of indian professionals, entrepreneurs, and students are looking abroad—not out of disloyalty, but simply because they want a life where their effort leads to opportunity, not punishment. Unless india urgently reforms its tax regime, rewards merit, and delivers tangible governance outcomes, this brain and capital drain will only accelerate.
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