Desi Squad, Overpriced Indian Food, and More: Harsh Goenka’s humorous post about the quirks of NRI life abroad resonates with many, sparking a lively online debate.
In a world where millions of Indians live across the globe, the complexities of preserving cultural identity while adapting to a new environment often lead to humorous, relatable, and sometimes ironic situations. Industrialist Harsh Goenka recently captured this feeling in a satirical post that has gone viral, striking a chord with NRIs and others around the world. His witty commentary on the unique contradictions of NRI life abroad—such as expensive groceries, exaggerated cultural celebrations, and tight-knit desi circles—has sparked a lively conversation online, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Goenka’s post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), humorously highlighted the everyday ironies of being an NRI: “Indians move abroad to eat overpriced butter chicken from a Punjabi with a fake Italian accent,” he wrote. He went on to describe how basic ingredients like haldi (turmeric) and hing (asafoetida) are often priced higher than fine wine abroad. He also poked fun at the fusion of food and culture: “Miss golgappas while chewing on sad quinoa” and “Celebrate Diwali like it’s the Met Gala—minus celebs, plus aunties in Swarovski sarees.”
Harsh Goenka’s viral post humorously explores the paradoxes of NRI life, from overpriced butter chicken to Diwali celebrations, resonating with many across the globe.
Goenka concluded his observations with a familiar truth for many NRIs: “Make only Indian friends and discuss how ‘things are better back home.’ Form a WhatsApp group called Desi Squad. And then save up in dollars just to fly back and tell their parents how amazing life is over there.”
How did social media react?
Social media users responded with mixed emotions. Some found Goenka’s take hilariously spot-on, agreeing with the portrayal of NRI life. One user remarked, “True, what you wrote. One thing you missed, though, is that at weekend get-togethers, NRIs often discuss how bad things are back home, despite the fact that their foundation came from there.”
Others reflected on the yearning for authentic Indian food abroad, with one user adding, “Many Indians who travel abroad often experience moments of longing for authentic Indian food, only to settle for fusion dishes that prioritize presentation over genuine flavour.”
There were also voices of optimism and gratitude, such as one user who shared, “Sir, I live in Africa. Indian food is a luxury, fellow Indians are rare, but the warmth here makes every stranger feel like extended family. Grateful, always.”
