Teacher to friend.

"One of the most evocative terms invoked in the lexicon of India's recent self-identity is 'Vishwaguru' i.e., the idea of India as a 'teacher to the world'." "The Vishwaguru narrative found prominence in the early years of the Modi government, especially between 2014 and 2019." However, since 2019, "Increasingly, India is being framed not as a Vishwaguru, but as a 'Vishwamitra', a 'friend of the world'," wrote Sanchari Ghosh. We may hanker to be friends of the world, but the world is rejecting Indians. "With the benefit of hindsight, it's not surprising to see the recent spate of attacks on diaspora Indians, NRIs or people of Indian origin across the globe." "So when you read about assaults on Indians today - online, offline, in the workplace, on the streets of Dublin, Melbourne or California - it feels less like an aberration and more like a revert to an old system where politesse merely deemed that one not be openly racist." TOI. But, why are Indians so desperate to migrate to other countries, despite all the hostility and expense? Why is there an American Dream, an "ideal that the United States is a land of opportunity that allows the possibility of upward mobility, freedom, and equality for people of all classes who work hard and have the will to succeed, (Britannica)," and not an Indian dream?  "According to the new Trade.gov data analysed by The New York Times, student arrivals from India dropped by 44% in August 2025 compared with the same period last year." TOI. "Students are increasingly factoring in the predictability of visas, work opportunities, and long term career pathways." After the "proposed changes to the H-1B program, including $100,000 employer fee, have triggered widespread alarm among students and families, raising serious doubts about the feasibility of pursuing education and long term career in the US." ET. The italics are intentional, to highlight the fact that these are migrants disguised as students. Two days ago, "Tension prevails at Pondicherry University after police lathicharged (caned) and used force to disperse students who staged a demonstration ...demanding the immediate suspension of faculty members on Karaikal and Puducherry campuses accused of sexually harassing research scholars and students." TOI. Police in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh allegedly thrashed a 22 year old engineer to death for celebrating his passing out. Apparently, the policemen demanded Rs 10,000. Mint. Will the perpetrators be punished? Unlikely, very unlikely. Crimes are best denied and covered up. "From billionaires hedging for mobility and tax, to professionals seeking career flexibility, to students mapping the PR-to-citizenship route, moving to another country for a foreign passport or even foreign residencies continue to lure high networth individuals in India." ET. Apparently for increased mobility, lower taxes and better education for children. Maybe, also to keep daughters safe from being caned by the police after being sexually molested by teachers and sons from being murdered by the police for partying. From Guru (teacher) to Mitra (friend). The world doesn't want either. Neither, it seems, do Indians.