Delhi : In today’s world, sending children abroad for higher education has become a cherished dream for many middle-class Indian families. Parents often pour their entire savings—sometimes even selling property or taking loans—into funding studies in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, or the UK. They believe this path offers superior education, promising careers, and a higher standard of living. The hope is that once the child settles down, they will shine brightly, bring pride to the family, and perhaps even bring their parents over later in life. Yet reality frequently tells a different story. When old age arrives, parents find themselves isolated—neither living with their children nor able to join them overseas. This raises a profound question: Are such parents truly fortunate, or profoundly unfortunate?
On one hand, these parents can be seen as fortunate. They have given their children access to world-class universities and opportunities unavailable at home. Their sons and daughters now hold prestigious jobs, earn substantial incomes, and enjoy comfortable lives. In social circles, these parents are often praised as the “parents of successful children abroad.” Relatives and friends express admiration, saying things like, “Your son/daughter has made it big in America!” This sense of pride and accomplishment becomes a major source of joy and fulfillment for many. Video calls bring stories of achievements and occasional financial support, making daily life more manageable and providing emotional comfort. In this light, their sacrifices seem worthwhile—they fulfilled their parental duty by securing a bright future for their offspring.
However, the other side reveals deep misfortune. Indian culture places immense value on children being the support system in old age—the traditional “walking stick of old age.” When a child settles permanently abroad, parents experience profound physical and emotional isolation. During illness or daily needs, they rely on neighbors, hired help, or no one at all. This often leads to “Empty Nest Syndrome,” a condition increasingly common among Indian families from states like Punjab, Kerala, and Delhi, where millions of young people have migrated. Loneliness intensifies health issues, depression, and a sense of abandonment in later years. Busy schedules, visa complications, or family constraints prevent many children from bringing parents over. Even when possible, parents may struggle with foreign climates, unfamiliar cultures, and language barriers, making relocation unfeasible.
This creates a painful paradox: a child’s professional triumph often stems directly from the parents’ immense sacrifices, yet it leaves them emotionally empty-handed. Is true success only about individual achievement, or must it include keeping the family united? Society is increasingly questioning this. Some argue parents should have anticipated the permanent distance that comes with overseas settlement. But do any parents deliberately choose loneliness in their twilight years? No—they act out of love and hope for a better tomorrow.
Ultimately, these parents are neither wholly fortunate nor entirely unfortunate. They are caught in an era shaped by globalization and individualism, which has weakened traditional family bonds. Their situation forces us to reflect: Does our definition of success include the happiness and companionship of family? Genuine accomplishment might be one that ensures parents are not left alone in old age. Otherwise, even as children plant flags of success in distant lands, back home an empty chair and tear-filled eyes remain as silent reminders of what was traded away.
