The Great Escape: Why Some Politicians’ Kids Live Large Abroad While India Pays the Price

Picture this: a politician stands on a stage, waving the Indian flag, promising to uplift the poor and make India a global superpower. The crowd cheers, moved by the passion. Meanwhile, their son is sipping coffee in a swanky café in London, studying at an Ivy League university, or building a career in New York—far from the dusty roads and crowded colleges of India. When asked why their kids are abroad, some shrug and say, “It’s their choice,” or worse, “It’s karma.” But let’s call it what it is: a betrayal of trust. While politicians and their families enjoy the fruits of India’s resources, many of their children seem to have one foot out the door, leaving us to wonder—why don’t they believe in the India their parents claim to build?

This isn’t about every politician’s kid. Many stay in India, work here, and contribute to the nation. But the trend of some politicians’ sons (and daughters) heading abroad for education, careers, and lifestyles—often funded by questionable wealth—raises eyebrows. It’s a slap in the face to the millions who struggle to afford basic education or jobs in India. If the people leading our country don’t trust its systems enough to keep their kids here, what does that say about their faith in India’s future?

The Pattern: Education Abroad, Careers Abroad, Lives Abroad

Look at the numbers. In 2023, over 8.9 lakh Indian students went abroad for higher education, costing India roughly $6 billion in foreign exchange. A chunk of this comes from wealthy families, including those of politicians. Posts on X and reports like one from The Print (2020) point out that at least 12 out of 56 ministers in the Modi government had children studying at foreign universities like Harvard, Oxford, and Yale. Names like Piyush Goyal, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh, and Jyotiraditya Scindia often pop up in these discussions, with their kids pursuing degrees in the US or UK.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a good education. But when these kids don’t return to contribute to India—choosing instead to settle abroad—it stings. Take Sanjay Dhotre’s son, Nakul, who studied engineering in California and is reportedly settled there. Or Hardeep Singh Puri’s daughter, Tilottama, who studied in the UK and now lives in the US. These aren’t isolated cases. A Reddit thread from 2024 asked, “Why can’t politicians send their kids to Indian colleges?” The top comment nailed it: politicians want their kids “educated and sophisticated” abroad while expecting ordinary Indians to make do with local systems.

The Hypocrisy: Preaching Patriotism, Practicing Privilege

The real issue isn’t just that these kids go abroad—it’s the hypocrisy. Politicians campaign on “Make in India” or “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” yet their families often seem to prefer “Live in America” or “Settle in Britain.” If India’s IITs, IIMs, or medical colleges aren’t good enough for their kids, why should they be good enough for ours? And when these politicians defend their choices by saying foreign universities are “world-class,” they’re admitting India’s education system—over which they have power—falls short. So why aren’t they fixing it?

Worse, the money funding these lavish lifestyles often smells fishy. Politicians earn modest salaries, yet many have kids studying at universities costing ₹50 lakh a year or more. Where does this wealth come from? India ranks 85th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (2024), and public frustration is palpable. A 2019 Pew Research survey found 64% of Indians believe most politicians are corrupt. When their kids live abroad in luxury, it fuels suspicion that public resources—our taxes, our land, our opportunities—are being siphoned off.

The Karma Excuse: A Cop-Out

When confronted, some politicians or their supporters dodge accountability with vague excuses. “It’s their karma,” they might say, as if personal choice absolves them of responsibility. But karma doesn’t explain why public servants’ families benefit disproportionately from India’s wealth while ordinary citizens scrape by. If anything, it’s the karma of the Indian people to demand better—leaders who invest in India’s future, not just their own kids’.

This “karma” excuse also ignores a deeper truth: privilege, not destiny, drives these decisions. A middle-class Indian student slogs for years to crack IIT or NEET, facing cut-throat competition. Politicians’ kids, backed by daddy’s money, can bypass this grind, building “profiles” for foreign universities. As one Reddit user put it, “They don’t have to compete for the best opportunities.” This isn’t karma—it’s a rigged system.

Why It Matters: A Betrayal of India’s Future

When politicians’ kids settle abroad, it’s more than a personal choice—it’s a signal. It tells young Indians that even those in power don’t fully believe in India’s potential. If they did, wouldn’t their kids be here, building startups, practicing law, or serving in government? Instead, many seem to treat India as a resource to exploit, not a home to nurture.

This trend also deepens inequality. While politicians’ sons jet off to Yale, rural students drop out of school because their families can’t afford books. While ministers’ daughters work in London, factory workers’ kids toil in low-paying jobs. The contrast is stark and infuriating. India’s youth deserve leaders whose families are as invested in this country as they’re expected to be.

What Can We Do? Demand Accountability

It’s time to stop shrugging and start questioning. Here’s how we can hold politicians accountable:

1. Ask Tough Questions: When politicians campaign, ask why their kids study or live abroad. Demand transparency about their wealth and how they fund foreign educations.

2. Support Honest Leaders: Vote for those whose actions match their words—leaders whose families live and work in India, showing faith in its systems.

3. Fix the System: Push for reforms in education and governance so India’s colleges and jobs are good enough for everyone, not just the poor.

4. Expose Hypocrisy: Use platforms like X to call out double standards, but stick to facts, not rumors. Public pressure works.

A Final Thought: Whose India Is It?

India belongs to its people, not just its politicians. When their kids flee abroad, living off wealth that smells of corruption, it’s not just a personal choice—it’s a betrayal. We deserve leaders who build an India their own children want to live in, not one they escape from. Until then, every politician who preaches patriotism while their son settles in Silicon Valley owes us an explanation. Let’s stop buying their excuses and start demanding answers.