Latest update:12 February 2026 at 21:25 IST

Sanjum Singh Dhaliwal left UCLA for Punjab, citing the community and ease of living. His Instagram video sparked debate about culture, labor costs and quality of life.

Sanjum Singh Dhaliwal left UCLA for Punjab, citing the community and ease of living. His Instagram video sparked debate about culture, labor costs and quality of life. (Photo: Screenshot from IG)

An Indian man sparked controversy online after he shared why he chose to leave the US and return to Punjab, saying his decision was rooted in “community” and not financial considerations.

In a video posted on Instagram, Sanjum Singh Dhaliwal spoke about being questioned about his return to India despite studying at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

“Sangum, I was at UCLA. The weather is so beautiful, it’s the American dream. Why did you come back to Punjab? One word, community. Three other words, ease of living,” he said in the clip.

Dhaliwal explained his point of view through two personal experiences related to car repair, one in the United States and the other in India.

He pointed out that while he was in the United States, his car was severely scratched by a government garbage truck. According to him, he received little help from the city authorities or his insurance company. He said the mechanics were primarily concerned with the high repair costs, which reached thousands of dollars. Eventually, with the help of friends, he replaced the damaged doors himself for about $250.

On the other hand, he described the accident he experienced in India when the clutch pedal in his car stopped working. “I called the mechanic at 1 p.m. He came home by 2 p.m., took the car to the shop, and told me it would be ready by 7 p.m., good as new,” Dhaliwal said. He added that the total bill came to about $110.

“There is absolutely no amount of money that can match the level of hospitality, ease and comfort,” he said, adding that the experience gave him “zero stress.” He emphasized in the comment on his post that his return was about “community, not the price difference.”

On a lighter note, Dhaliwal joked that although the community was the “second strongest reason” for his return, the main reason was Amritsar Kulchi.

Reactions on social media

The video sparked mixed reactions online, with users debating whether the differences seen were due to culture or lower labor costs in India.

“It’s a mix of culture and business arbitrage. I’m not saying things are perfect out there, but a lot of our ‘niceness’ is based on class too,” one user wrote.

Another commented: “The value of labor is lower in India. It’s not society, my friend – it’s the cheap labor around you.”

A third user noted that life in the US can feel isolating, writing: “Unfortunately, everyone is in survival mode in the US.”

Meanwhile, another commentator defended the American system, saying: “Our labor is expensive because we value workers. Having someone come in at one o’clock in the afternoon to fix a car is a privilege. Building a new society takes time and patience.”

The discussion continues to highlight contrasting views on quality of life, affordability, and the role of society in personal decisions about immigration.

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