Indian couple chooses Luxembourg over US for better quality of life despite lower salaries
Luxembourg: In 2020, Bengaluru-based couple Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari made the decision to move to Luxembourg, opting for a better quality of life over the higher salaries they could have earned in the US or Dubai. In an interview with Live Mint, the couple shared their reasons for the move and how their life has changed since relocating to Europe.
Neha, who works in finance at a German real estate company, and Prateek, a senior analyst at Amazon, admitted that while staying in India or moving to countries like the US or Dubai would have provided them with greater financial opportunities, the lifestyle in Europe was more appealing. "Continuing in India or moving to the US would have given us more career and earning opportunities. But we wanted to experience the superior quality of life that Europe offers," Prateek explained.
One of the key factors behind their decision was the balance between income and the services available in Luxembourg. While the couple pays around 28% of their income in taxes, slightly lower than in India, they feel that the services they receive, including healthcare and social security, make it worthwhile. "We contribute 3% of our income to government-sponsored health insurance, which covers most medical needs, except dental treatment," Neha shared.
Another aspect of Luxembourg's tax system that appeals to the couple is the 2% unemployment fund contribution. "If someone loses their job, the government pays 80% of their last drawn salary for up to two years, or until they find new employment," Neha explained. This security, along with healthcare coverage, means they don’t need a separate emergency fund.
The couple also spoke about the affordability of luxury cars and travel in Europe. They purchased a Mercedes A-class for €43,000, which is far more affordable than in India, where a similar car would cost ₹55 lakh. "I wouldn’t easily buy a luxury car priced over ₹50 lakh in India, but in Luxembourg, it’s within my means due to my income in euros," Prateek noted.
Additionally, they find traveling around Europe to be more budget-friendly. Since they earn and spend in the same currency, they can enjoy holidays across Europe without worrying about exchange rates. "The proximity between countries also makes travel cheaper, as we can simply drive around," Prateek said.
Though the couple acknowledges that they could have earned more in other countries or stayed in India for bigger pay increments, the overall quality of life in Luxembourg has proven to be the deciding factor.
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MP minister's veiled remark on Col Sofia Qureshi sparks major row; he apologises, Cong seeks ouster
Bhopal/Indore, May 13 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Col Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a "sister of terrorists."
Under severe flak, Shah said if anyone is hurt by his statement, he is ready to apologise ten times, adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.
The Congress has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.
Colonel Qureshi had conducted regular press briefings, sharing details of the 'Operation Sindoor' launched by Indian armed forces to strike terrorists, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
"Those people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters (in the Pahalgam terror attack)..We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them," Shah said.
"They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists') sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson", the BJP leader said while addressing a gathering in Ramkunda village near Indore.
He said, "Revenge was taken for the honour of our country (India), respect, and for the (slain) husbands of our sisters by sending a sister from your (terrorists') community to Pakistan".
The tribal welfare minister clarified that his remarks should not be construed otherwise.
Shah's remarks drew wide-scale condemnation, with Congress demanding his immediate dismissal from the MP cabinet.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Shah, who made 'derogatory' remarks in reference to Colonel Sofia Qureshi, should be dismissed immediately.
"A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire 'Operation Sindoor' to give a befitting reply to the terrorists," Kharge posted on X.
He alleged that the BJP-RSS harbours an anti-women mentality.
"First, the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam was trolled on social media, then the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was harassed, and now the BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our brave woman Sophia Qureshi," Kharge said and appealed to PM Modi to immediately sack Shah.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari shared the video of Shah on X and asked whether the BJP agrees with the minister's "low thinking"?
The MP Congress Committee alleged that Shah's "indecent' and hate-filled" statement is not just a personal attack, but an open attack on India's military dignity, national unity, and women's honour.
Amid the raging controversy, the BJP's Madhya Pradesh general secretary Hitanand Sharma summoned Shah to the state headquarters in Bhopal.
According to sources, Sharma reprimanded the minister, who also met the state BJP president, Vishnu Dutt Sharma.
Speaking to reporters, Shah sought to attribute the intemperate remarks to his "disturbed" state of mind in view of the brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam by terrorists.
He claimed many members of his family have a military background and many were martyred.
"Sister Sophia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation.
"We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manoj Shukla and the party workers blackened the nameplate of Shah at his bungalow and raised slogans seeking his resignation.
'हमारी सेना की जांबाज बेटियां आतंकवादियों की बहन हैं'
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 13, 2025
- ये घटिया बात मध्य प्रदेश में BJP सरकार के मंत्री विजय शाह ने कही है।
भारत की जिन बेटियों पर सबको नाज है, उन बेटियों को लेकर ये शर्मनाक बयान दिया गया है। उन्हें आतंकवादियों की बहन बताया गया है।
ये हमारी पराक्रमी सेना का… pic.twitter.com/y591M3ky8G
