During an event at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) on Sunday, Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan voiced profound confidence in the capabilities of young people. He unequivocally stated that India’s youth do not require ‘anybody’s visa,’ a remark made in response to a question regarding the U.S. government’s decision to significantly increase H1B visa fees and India’s strategy to transform ‘brain drain’ into ‘brain gain.’
Initially, the Minister adopted a somewhat defensive stance, suggesting some questions are best left unanswered due to their complexity. The query also touched upon China’s reported success in repatriating a large percentage of its overseas students and whether India had similar objectives. To this, Pradhan responded firmly, stating, ‘Certainly, China should not be a role model for India.’
He further elaborated, ‘As I said, India is a liberal democracy. I don’t want to comment on China’s model. But, we are proud of our liberal democracy.’ Recalling a recent trip through the southern regions and the foothills of the Western Ghats, he reiterated, ‘I have confidence in the youth of our country. If they get the opportunities, they can create global standards. I have confidence, and so, I don’t want anybody’s visa or anybody’s model.’
Rethinking the Pursuit of Wealth Abroad
Speaking at the IIT-M and Think India event, Mr. Pradhan addressed the perception of Indian students ‘chasing money’ overseas. He urged the inquiring student not to leave the country, highlighting that ‘geopolitics is changing.’
He quoted S. Somanath, the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, noting that the engineers behind the successful Chandrayaan mission were not all graduates of the elite IIT institutions. ‘So, innovation and great things are a monopoly of none. There is a purpose why this civilisation has not died down. These temporary and contemporary challenges will be there. But as a society we have to come together.’ He suggested that people going abroad should seek not just a comfortable life, but also opportunities to learn about the better aspects of other societies. ‘As a society we have to open our eyes and ears,’ he added.
Caste Quota and National Development
When asked by a student if caste-based reservations and quotas for economically weaker sections in government jobs would effectively contribute to the ‘Viksit Bharat project,’ and whether the socio-economic conditions of the 1950s remained relevant in 2025, Mr. Pradhan used a metaphor. Stretching out his palm, he asserted, ‘In the 1950s, the size of five fingers was this. Today too, it is the same.’ He implied that societal structures persist, and urged the student to focus on the broader vision of a ‘Developed India,’ suggesting that this perspective held the answer.
Earlier in the event, Mr. Pradhan discussed various elements of the New Education Policy (NEP), stressing the importance of its comprehensive implementation. The summit also saw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding, with IIT-M Director V. Kamakoti and Think India’s national convenor Akanksha Warade also addressing the attendees.