The recent hike in the H-1B visa fee by the US government has stirred discussions among Indian entrepreneurs and professionals, but for the new generation in India, the long-term impact may not be as dramatic as some fear. The time has come to rethink the old paradigm of seeking foreign employment as the primary path to professional growth and prosperity. As an Indian entrepreneur, it is essential to highlight why India today offers extraordinary opportunities and why the Swadeshi (indigenous) approach, actively promoted by Prime Minister Modi and the current government, is the best path forward for Indian youth.
H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Context & Immediate Impact
The proclamation by President Trump raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 for new applicants marks one of the sharpest escalations in recent US immigration policy. While this move will certainly slow Indian migration to the US, the practical effect is a decrease in the number of new H-1B visa holders, mostly from the technology and professional sectors. It disproportionately affects fresh graduates and younger professionals who may have considered overseas work as a primary goal.
Swadeshi: A Growing Movement
The Swadeshi movement is no longer just a relic of India’s freedom struggle. Today, it is an inspiring campaign for economic and social transformation. “The idea of Swadeshi or self-reliance resonates powerfully with the younger generation, who are increasingly aware of the value of buying, using, and creating products made in India. Prime Minister Modi’s recent speeches have repeatedly called on citizens to take pride in Indian goods and to make every home and shop a symbol of Swadeshi. These reforms are directly linked to policies accelerating tax relief, GST rate rationalisation, and incentives for local manufacturing, making Swadeshi not just a patriotic sentiment but a tangible economic reality. Every Indian startup is a step closer to global leadership,” says Indian entrepreneur and author Abhishek Kapoor. With so many brilliant Indian minds unmoved, it seems the visa barriers are passing shadows. India’s potential is the rising sun.
Tremendous Opportunities in India
India’s economy is now one of the fastest growing globally, with huge markets, vibrant startups, and expanding sectors like technology, healthcare, fintech, green energy, and e-commerce. The government’s push for aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) has resulted in transformative policies supporting entrepreneurs and innovators. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are thriving, and the business environment is being reshaped by digitalisation, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and substantial public investment in infrastructure and human capital.
The Future: Pride and Prosperity in Swadeshi
Looking ahead, Indian youth are increasingly proud of their heritage and culture, and confident in the potential of the domestic economy. The rising preference for Swadeshi will accelerate the creation of wealth, jobs, and innovation within India, reducing dependency on migration. Indian entrepreneurs must lead this new wave by believing in India’s promise and by encouraging youth to dream big on home soil.
“A new generation is uncovering the power of homegrown innovation. Our pride is in what we create, not where we migrate,” says Samridhi Kapoor, an award winning entrepreneur and angel investor, popular as the youngest founder in the Indian publishing industry. “America’s loss will be India’s gain. The brightest minds now build the future at home.Tomorrow’s greatest companies will be Made in India, for the world. With Swadeshi as our mantra and a market of a billion, the only limit is our imagination,” she believes.
India is no longer just a nation of job-seekers abroad. It is a powerhouse of opportunity for entrepreneurs, creators, and skilled professionals. The H-1B fee hike is merely a passing challenge; the future belongs to the Swadeshi spirit, self-reliance, and the boundless possibilities India offers today.
Less Reliance on Foreign Employment
With the enormous domestic market and growing entrepreneurial culture, fewer Indians feel the need to seek jobs abroad to achieve their dreams. The aspiration today is to build world-class products, solutions, and careers right here in India, for India and for the world. As Prime Minister Modi affirmed, “India will become developed only when it is self-dependent. For India to become self-dependent, the Swadeshi mantra is imperative. It is the call of time that we embrace Swadeshi.”
Swadeshi is the key to making India the most powerful nation in unimaginable ways. By embracing indigenous products, technology, and innovation, India ignites economic self-reliance that fuels massive local job creation and preserves cultural heritage. This broad-based movement strengthens small businesses, manufacturing, and cutting-edge industries alike. With reduced dependence on foreign imports and a focus on “Make in India,” the nation harnesses its vast domestic market and youthful innovation to lead globally. Swadeshi fosters unity, resilience, and sustainability, transforming India into a self-sufficient powerhouse that shapes the future of the world economy on its own terms.
