Mysuru: An Indian man who gave up a monthly salary of Rs 2.5 lakh from an airline job in Qatar to return to India says he is grateful for the life he has built in Mysuru, Karnataka, despite continuing to face professional challenges.
Aditya Singh shared his experience in an Instagram video, recalling his decision to leave a financially secure overseas job and start afresh in India. Three years after returning, he says he has settled in Mysuru, got married and found a lifestyle that better suits his personal priorities.
His decision was not initially welcomed by his family, who were unhappy about him giving up a well-paying job abroad. However, Singh chose to take the risk, prioritising the kind of life he wanted over financial security.
‘There’s a lot of freedom’
Singh described Mysuru as one of India’s cleanest cities and said he was happy with the quality of life it offered.
For him, returning to India was not simply a career change but a conscious decision about how he wanted to spend his life. According to his Instagram profile, he now works as a transformation coach.
He acknowledged that life after returning has not been without difficulties. While he values living in his hometown and having greater control over his daily routine, he said professional challenges remain and that he is not leading an especially comfortable life.
Explaining his decision, Singh said:
“So, I took the risk, although at that time, not a lot of people appreciated my decision. But right now, when I look at my life, of course, it’s not easy. It’s not that I’m living a very comfortable life. There are challenges when it comes to work, but I am living life in my town. There are days when I have to wake up late, there’s a lot of freedom when you do it willingly. So, for this life, I am grateful.”
His remarks underline the importance he places on independence and the freedom to make personal choices, even when those choices involve financial and professional uncertainty.
Social media users respond
Singh’s account of leaving a lucrative overseas job and returning to India prompted supportive reactions on social media.
Several users said peace of mind, physical well-being and personal happiness could matter more than a high salary. Others praised him for choosing a lifestyle that suited his needs instead of measuring success through conventional career milestones.
One user commented that respecting one’s life and prioritising contentment were important, adding that no amount of salary could buy peace.
Another recalled working in aviation and said they felt mentally and physically better after leaving the industry.
A third user, who said they had once considered becoming cabin crew before starting a video-editing business, congratulated Singh on his decision.
Another social media user wrote that living life on one’s own terms was a blessing and encouraged him not to measure his journey against external benchmarks.
A different measure of success
Singh’s experience offers a glimpse into the personal considerations that can shape decisions about returning to India after working abroad. While overseas employment can offer attractive salaries and career opportunities, individuals may also weigh family, lifestyle, independence and their preferred place of residence.
For Singh, the transition has brought its share of uncertainty, particularly in his professional life. Yet, three years after leaving his Qatar job, he says he is grateful to be living in Mysuru and making choices on his own terms.
His story has resonated with social media users who see quality of life and personal fulfilment as important measures of success alongside income and career growth.