'I chose India over the American dream': US citizen's viral post sparks debate

A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur and US citizen has explained why he chose to build his company in India instead of pursuing career opportunities in the United States, saying that creating meaningful impact matters more to him than earning a higher income.

According to NDTV, Vikram Pai, CEO and co-founder of ReferRush, shared his views in a post on X, where he said money has never been his primary motivation.

According to NDTV, Pai said his decision is guided by two simple principles, the first being that he does not need much to be happy. He explained that his ideal life revolves around simple comforts, including good food, a home, access to a gym and sports, books, and spending quality time with friends and family.

He also acknowledged that his aspirations may evolve in the future, particularly if he starts a family. However, according to NDTV, he believes that even in the worst-case scenario, securing a good job in either India or the United States would provide him with everything he considers essential.

"Someday, with a wife and children, I'll want more: a beautiful home, a good car, and a great education for my kids. But even my worst-case outcome, getting a good job in India or America, can provide those things," he wrote on X.

According to NDTV, Pai said this sense of financial security allows him to focus less on maximising income and more on creating value through his work. He believes he can make a greater contribution by building ReferRush in India than by accepting another highly paid executive position in the United States.

Explaining the impact his company has already made, Pai highlighted how the platform has created opportunities for many people. According to NDTV, he said several affiliates using ReferRush have achieved milestones they never imagined possible.

"Some of our affiliates have earned enough through ReferRush to travel abroad for the first time. That means something to me. If we can help build the infrastructure and culture for affiliate commerce in India, we can create livelihoods, businesses, and opportunities at an enormous scale," he added.

Pai's post quickly sparked widespread discussion on social media. According to NDTV, while many users appreciated his emphasis on purpose over wealth, others questioned how such a philosophy would translate into running a business and managing employees.

One user argued that if Pai values impact over money, he should clearly communicate that philosophy during recruitment so prospective employees understand what to expect. According to NDTV, the user pointed out that employees may have different financial responsibilities, ambitions, and career goals, making transparency important.

Another user shared a different perspective, writing, "Knowing your floor is enough changes the equation. Most people chase income because they've never actually tested what their floor requires. Once you know the number, the ceiling stops being about safety and starts being about choice."

According to NDTV, Pai's post has reignited conversations around success, financial security, entrepreneurship, and whether personal fulfilment should take precedence over maximising wealth, particularly for professionals who have opportunities to build careers abroad.