A Harvard-educated Indian professional has sparked a conversation by explaining her deliberate choice to live and work in India instead of the United States. For Charmie Kapoor, Associate Director of Design at fintech firm Razorpay, the decision transcends conventional comparisons of infrastructure and income.
The Intangible Pull: Family, Community, and Gratitude
In a detailed social media post, Kapoor, who holds a master's degree in Business and Design from Harvard University, outlined the core reasons for her preference. She acknowledged the material advantages of life in America, including superior infrastructure, higher earning potential, and certain freedoms. However, she argued that India offers deeper emotional and social fulfilment through its strong family bonds, sense of community, and diverse food culture.
Kapoor highlighted a profound, daily sense of gratitude that comes from living in India. She pointed out that stepping outside one's home immediately reveals stark social and economic realities—from auto-rickshaw drivers enduring the heat to security guards on long shifts and street vendors facing financial uncertainty. Witnessing this, she said, fosters an effortless and deep appreciation for one's own circumstances, naturally reducing complaints.
Contrasting this with her experience in the US, she observed that while life there is comfortable and basic needs are largely met, it often comes with a persistent sense of yearning for more—more comfort, success, or meaning. This sometimes leads to a feeling of being unsettled, regardless of material abundance.
Collective Spirit vs. Structured Independence
Another pivotal factor for Kapoor is the inherent support system and community spirit found in India. She described India as a collective society where help is offered instinctively and without excessive questioning. This stands in sharp contrast to the US model, which she noted promotes independence and relies on formal, structured systems.
"In the US, help is clearer and more structured. You know where to go, what to fill out, who to contact. The systems work and they’re reliable, but they also create distance," Kapoor explained. This independence, while empowering, can also mean facing difficulties alone.
Finding Purpose in Imperfection and Impact
Interestingly, Kapoor views India's numerous challenges—such as gaps in education, access issues, and imperfect infrastructure—as a source of fulfilment. She believes these very gaps make individual effort visible and meaningful. "There’s too much to fix, and your contribution matters," she stated.
She shared a personal example of working on redesigning parts of the curriculum for government schools, where her team was able to incorporate inputs from Harvard professors. The tangible outcome of that work, now being used to shape how hundreds of students learn, gave her a powerful sense of making a real impact.
Furthermore, Kapoor credited life in India with building resilience from an early age. Navigating intense competition and imperfect systems prepares individuals to adapt quickly and seek creative workarounds when things go wrong. This mindset, she argued, becomes a natural asset, unlike in environments where systemic failures are rare and can leave people unprepared.
Ultimately, for Charmie Kapoor, the choice between India and the US is not a simple calculation of pros and cons. It is a deeply personal alignment with a lifestyle where emotional connectivity, visible purpose, and resilient community outweigh the allure of material comfort and structured ease.
