This week, I came across a story that was beyond imagination—the harrowing journey of an Indian man in search of a better future (as reported by the BBC).
The End of a Dream in Chains
For over 40 hours, shackled at the wrists and ankles, he sat motionless.
Gurpreet Singh’s mind was consumed by one thought: the 4.5 million yen ($45,000) in debt he had taken on in the hope of securing a better future.
After risking everything to reach the United States, believing it to be the land of opportunity, all that awaited him was a military transport plane, handcuffs, and forced deportation.
“I’ve lost everything. There’s nothing left.”
Upon returning to India, 39-year-old Gurpreet could only mutter those words. He had sold his land, borrowed money, and endured a life-threatening journey through 27 countries and territories—only to end up right back where he started.
His story is not just about personal failure.
It forces us to confront a fundamental, uncomfortable truth: the country you are born in can decide your fate before you take your first breath.
The “Parent Lottery” Mindset in Japan
“I lost the parent lottery.”
This phrase has become increasingly common among young people in Japan.
It reflects a sense of resignation—the idea that one’s future is predetermined by the family they are born into.
Those born into wealthier families have access to better education and opportunities. Those born into lower-income households struggle against systemic disadvantages.
The frustration is understandable. Inequality exists.
But what if the mere fact of being born in Japan is already a winning ticket?
The “Country Lottery”: When Survival Hinges on Birthplace
Gurpreet Singh’s story illustrates the brutal reality of the “country lottery.”
He lived in Punjab, northern India, where he ran a small trucking business. His life took a downward turn when India’s 2016 demonetization policy crippled cash-reliant businesses, and the COVID-19 pandemic dealt the final blow.
With no stable income, he could no longer support his wife, young child, and elderly mother.
“I wanted to migrate legally,” he recalls.
He applied multiple times for visas to Canada and the UK, but every attempt was rejected. Left with no legal pathway, he turned to the only option left—illegal migration.
Gurpreet sold his land, borrowed money from relatives, and handed over $45,000 to smugglers—a staggering sum for a man already struggling to survive.
Thus began his year-long journey through danger and desperation.
Crossing the Jungle of Death
Gurpreet’s migration was not a straightforward flight.
It was an odyssey that few would survive.
1. From India to South America
- On 28 August 2024, he flew from India to Guyana in South America to start an arduous journey to the US.
2. A Long Trek Through South America
- From Guyana, he traveled through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, relying on buses, cars, and even boats.
3. The Darién Gap: The Most Dangerous Migration Route in the World
- To enter Panama from Colombia, he had to traverse the Darién Gap, a lawless jungle where migrants frequently die from disease, drown in rivers, or fall prey to armed gangs.
- “My feet felt like lead. My hands were torn apart by thorns. But I had no choice but to keep going.”
- He walked for five days in torrential rain, sleeping in makeshift tents and rationing scraps of food.
- In the past year alone, at least 50 migrants died attempting the same crossing.
4. The Central American Route
- From Panama, he moved through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and into Mexico.
- Along the way, he was detained multiple times by authorities, only to be released after smugglers bribed officials.
5. The Final Push: Entering the U.S.
- He reached the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego, climbing over mountains and cutting through razor wire to enter the country.
- On January 15, believing he had made it, he turned himself in to U.S. Border Patrol, hoping to apply for asylum.
Image in the original: Source: BBC
Shattered Hope
But his hope lasted only moments.
- His asylum request was never processed.
- He was shackled and detained for over 40 hours.
- Without a trial, he was deported on a U.S. military aircraft.
Back in India, he had no job, no future, and no money—only the debt he could never repay.
The smugglers who had taken his savings had disappeared.
“I don’t know what to do now,” he admitted, his voice hollow.
The “Parent Lottery” vs. The “Country Lottery”
Let’s step back for a moment.
Young people in Japan feel disillusioned by economic inequality. It’s true—social mobility is difficult, and generational wealth matters.
But compare this with what people like Gurpreet face:
- They cannot legally leave their country.
- They must risk their lives to cross borders.
- Even after sacrificing everything, they may still end up with nothing.
This is not to downplay the struggles of those who feel trapped by their circumstances in developed nations.
It is, however, an invitation to rethink privilege—and to recognize that what seems like an unfair disadvantage in one context might be unimaginable good fortune in another.
What Can We Do? Moving Beyond Indifference
So, what role do we play?
1. Acknowledge the Cost of Indifference
“The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.”
Ignoring global inequality doesn’t erase it. Choosing not to care is still a choice—and it has real-world consequences.
2. Balance Frustration with Perspective
It’s okay to feel that the world is unfair. But acknowledging the privileges we do have can broaden our understanding of justice.
3. Take Action, Even in Small Ways
- Stay informed: Learn about global migration crises and share real stories.
- Support organizations: NGOs like Refugees International and Amnesty International fight for better migration policies.
- Challenge biases: How we treat immigrants in our own communities matters.
4. Use What We Have to Its Fullest Potential
If being born in a wealthier country is a winning ticket, then let’s make the most of it. Not out of guilt, but out of responsibility.
5. Commit to Small, Consistent Efforts
Systemic issues are not solved overnight. But consistent, small actions—learning, sharing, and advocating—create long-term impact.
“Consistency is power”—and this applies to how we engage with global issues as well.
When confronted with extreme injustice, our greatest strength lies in numbers.
As people in developed nations, our small, individual actions may seem insignificant—but collectively, they have the power to drive real change.
It is the steady accumulation of these small efforts that ultimately creates lasting impact.
A New Perspective: Beyond Fate
Gurpreet Singh’s fate was dictated by the country he was born in.
But if his determination to build a better future wasn’t enough to save him, then what does that say about the system we live in?
The “parent lottery” and the “country lottery” are real.
But they should not define our destinies.
If we are among the lucky ones, we should not take it for granted.
Instead of feeling powerless, we can choose to learn, to act, and to challenge indifference.
Because privilege should not just be a shield—it should be a tool for change. ■
This article is based on the real-life experiences of Gurpreet Singh, as reported by the BBC. His story is not unique—millions of people around the world face the same struggle every day. Recognizing this reality is the first step toward building a fairer world.
Source: BBC
🔗 Read the original BBC article
First published on Substack on Mar 11, 2025 (JST). Archived here as part of the Fabio Caipirinha permanent archive (published on this site: Oct 15, 2026). Images from the original are omitted here pending rights clearance. Original: https://fabiocaipirinha.substack.com/p/the-parent-lottery-vs-the-country
Cover image: Alfred Stieglitz, “The Steerage” (1907) (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — source)
