A Dubai-based NRI’s viral rant highlights how expensive India feels today, even for those earning in dirhams and dollars
A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger and radio presenter has gone viral after expressing his shock over India’s rising costs. Parikshit Balochi, who earns in dirhams, admitted he always believed visiting India would make him feel richer. Instead, he confessed it now feels the opposite, reported news18.com.
“I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India,” he joked, pointing out that Rs 1,000 was once the amount he invested in the stock market before moving abroad. His video has already crossed over 5 lakh views, striking a chord with NRIs and locals alike.
In a humorous Instagram video, Balochi shared how a simple cup of tea at his Mumbai hotel cost him Rs 1,000, leaving him stunned at how expensive India has become
For years, NRIs enjoyed the advantage of strong foreign currencies, making food, shopping, and travel in India feel inexpensive. But Balochi lamented that this advantage has disappeared. “The deal was that I come to India, everything feels cheap, and I spend freely because I earn in dirhams and dollars. But now, dirhams converted to rupees feel like a shock,” he said.
Mixing frustration with humour, he quipped: “I came here to flex, but instead I’ve spent so much that I’m looking for a flexible payment plan.” He added that he now finds himself asking locals how they manage with their salaries.
His viral rant has triggered widespread discussion on social media about India’s soaring cost of living. Many NRIs commented in agreement, with one saying: “Finally someone said it. Prices are skyrocketing, and quality is dropping.” Another wrote: “I thought I was the only one who felt poor after coming back to India.”
The viral moment has sparked a broader conversation on affordability in India—an issue impacting not just visiting NRIs but locals who face rising prices daily.
