In his latest work, Secession of the Successful, noted political commentator and former media adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sanjaya Baru, tackles a provocative question: why are India's most successful citizens increasingly choosing to invest their futures in other nations?.
Drawing on a mix of historical context and sharp contemporary analysis, Baru explores the phenomenon of "elite migration" and what it means for the future of "New India".
The Four Waves of Migration
Baru provides a helpful framework by breaking Indian migration into four distinct historical phases:
The First Phase: Large-scale enforced migration of indentured labour under British rule.
The Second Phase: Semi-skilled workers seeking employment in West Asia and the Gulf.
The Third Phase: The 1970s and 80s "trickle" that became a flood of professionals, mostly doctors and engineers, seeking better living standards in the West.
The Fourth Phase: The current incipient wave—the migration of the wealthy, high net worth individuals (HNIs), and the power elite.
The "Push" and "Pull" Factors
What makes this book particularly insightful is Baru’s analysis of why people are leaving today. He identifies a complex interplay of "pull" factors (the desire for a First World life, better education, and tax havens) and "push" factors(poor governance, inequity, and administrative incompetence at home).
One of the most striking points in the book is the "flight from national taxation". Baru notes that many wealthy Indians are seeking an "exit route" to escape the tax net or find greater personal security. This has led to a staggering statistic: between 2011 and 2023, a total of 1,880,559 Indians gave up their citizenship.
The Crisis of Human Capital
The book doesn't just look at the wealthy; it highlights a significant drain of talent. For instance, a 2023 study cited by Baru shows that 62% of the top 100 scorers in the 2010 IIT joint entrance examinations have left the country.
While some argue that "brain drain is better than brain-in-drain," Baru challenges this "fashionable" view among the elite. He argues that while remittances are high—estimated at US$129 billion in 2024—the cost of losing human capital is a heavy price to pay for the "soft power" of a flourishing diaspora.
The Paradox of the Diaspora
Perhaps the most controversial section of the book deals with the "strange dichotomy" of the modern NRI. Baru points out the irony of overseas Indians who loudly cheer for "Modi's Bharat" at international rallies but have no interest in actually returning to live there. He argues that their "religious nationalism" rarely translates into a desire to participate in India's actual development, choosing instead the "comforts of First World life" over the "privations of life in Third World Mother India".
Final Thoughts: A Wake-up Call?
Baru concludes that this trend represents a "secession of the successful"—a situation where the nation's power elite (including the families of politicians, bureaucrats, and business leaders) no longer feel their children’s futures are linked to the destiny of the country.
Baru’s work serves as a sharp "wake-up call" regarding the internal dissatisfaction driving India’s best and brightest away.
Key Takeaway: If India wants to truly become "Viksit Bharat" by 2047, it must address the "push" factors that make its most successful citizens feel they are better off making their future elsewhere.
Book Details:
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Penguin India
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