'Chin up. Aao, ab laut chalen': Edelweiss CEO to Indians on Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee move

In a LinkedIn post, Radhika Gupta reflected on her own journey as an Indian professional in the United States.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund Chief Executive Radhika Gupta reacted to United States President Donald Trump’s proclamation that required companies applying for H-1B worker visas to pay an annual fee of $100,000.

In a LinkedIn post, Gupta reflected on her own journey as an Indian professional in the United States and advised young Indians affected by the new policy to consider opportunities back home.

“I was fortunate to graduate in 2005, when H-1B norms were far more favourable in the US. But things changed quickly in 2008 during the financial crisis — many Indian students felt upset, lost, and stuck,” she wrote, recalling how the downturn disrupted plans for many at the time.

She noted that while some Indians managed to remain in the US, others returned to India in the years that followed. “Some eventually returned home, and years later, even those of us who still had the visa made the same choice. Today, we’ve built fulfilling lives here — with tremendous professional opportunities and the deeper joy of creating in our own country. Personally, I wouldn’t want to go back — at all,” Gupta explained.

Speaking directly to students and professionals now facing uncertainty, she added: “So, if you’re on a US campus right now feeling shaken or disheartened, I know what that feels like. But remember: when one door closes, many others open back home. And India of 2025 is a far more exciting place than India of 2005 ever was.” She concluded with the message: “Chin up. Aao, ab laut chalen!”

Her remarks prompted a wide range of responses on social media. One individual commented: “The grass back home isn’t just greener, it’s growing startups, unicorns, and mangoes.”

Another user agreed with her perspective and shared their own decision to return: “Absolutely such an amazing point, Radhika Gupta... I came back home in March of this year. Now working on so many startup ideas. India is the place to be at this moment.”

A third expressed appreciation for her message: “Beautifully shared. Many of us have lived through those crossroads and know how tough those choices were. But you are right... the India of today is full of opportunities and confidence that we could not even dream of back then. Sometimes when one path abroad closes, it opens up a whole new journey at home. Truly inspiring words.”

Another professional with decades of experience also weighed in: “After 25 years of my career, I feel I made the right decision to stay back in India. Well-travelled and made a lot of money working double shifts. My son went to the UK for studies after completing his degree. It was so hard to get a job without sponsorship. He struggled for six months, and then I asked him to come back to India. He found a job of his liking in a month and enjoys working. Students, don’t get disappointed; study well and come back to India, and you will definitely get a job. Most importantly, you will have family support around you.”