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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
