Escape Velocity

Over 2.16 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship and moved out in 2023 while the number of semi-skilled and unskilled labour leaving for work trebled between 2021 and 2023

- SHUTAPA PAUL

Is leaving India the dream? A misleading news about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government handing out Golden Visas like candy has divulged a growing desire among Indians to set sails (or traverse the land beneath their feet) for distant shores. Shall we call it a trend yet? Maybe best not to be rationed by labels, but let's rather spend our thought capital on why the UAE Golden Visa news (albeit a fictitious one) created such a stir.

So, here's what happened this week — UAE-based Rayad Group put out inaccurate information that was in turn carried by an Indian news wire claiming that Indians and Bangladeshis could now call cities such as Dubai their home for a paltry sum of Rs 23 lakhs instead of the prevalent Rs 4 crore financial investment. This nomination-based route has been in existence since 2019 and can be availed only at the discretion of the UAE government. The truth dashed the hopes of a number of aspirational Indians.