‘Celebrating imprisonment at EMI’: A woman’s view of ‘India’s idea of success’ sparks debate | Today’s news
User X, Neha Patel, sparked an online debate after questioning the way Indian society defines financial success and “getting even.”
In a rant shared on X, Patel contrasted financial independence with the conventional milestones of home ownership, car ownership and marriage.
Patel wrote: “Indian society has a strange definition of success. A 28-year-old earning 1L/month living independently is said to be ‘not settled’. But if he takes out a 25-year home loan, a 7-year car loan and gets married and spends 50L, suddenly everyone is saying, ‘Ab ladka settle ho gay.’ Basically, you won’t be celebrating financial freedom in 25 years until we own your next paycheck.EMI and call it success.”
The post has received more than 3,200 likes since its publication and attracted a number of reactions from users.
Users debate what it really means to be “settled”.
Some users disputed Patel’s argument, pointing out that a long-term home loan does not necessarily mean that the borrower remains tied to the loan for its entire duration.
One user wrote: “You think a 25 year home loan stays for 25 years. A home is an asset. As you progress, you pay up front and do it for 10 years.”
Another user linked the growing use of loans and EMIs to changes in financial habits.
“These loans and EMIs are copied from western culture, my parents and grandparents never knew what EMI was? They saved and then built. Times have changed, enjoy today, pay tomorrow.”
A third user argued that buying a house should be considered an investment rather than just an expense.
“By owning a house you are actually telling society that you have created an asset…a house is an investment not an expense…anyway you are paying rent for your accommodation…by adding another amount you are paying your EMI…after 10 years your EMI will be less than rent,” wrote a user.
Others responded to a broader point about social expectations around success.
“lol the Indian definition of success is wild,” commented a fourth user.
Another user attributed the pressure to appear successful to social expectations, writing, “The root cause is the illusion of showing off in Indian society.”
Patel’s post therefore sparked a broader conversation on X about whether “settlement” should be measured by conventional milestones or an individual’s ability to maintain financial independence.
