
Entrepreneur couple's 'Bengaluru is slowly killing us' video sparks debate
In the now-viral video, the couple opened with a striking line: 'You might hate us, but Bangaluru is slowly killing us.'They explained that over time, they began falling ill frequently. 'I developed breathing issues and allergies,' said Aswin. 'And I, who doesn't even catch a cold, am always coughing and sneezing,' Aparna added.Although they made lifestyle changes, including switching to healthy food and regular workouts, their health issues didn't improve. That's when they began checking the city's Air Quality Index.'People say Bangalore has fresh air and great weather, but does it really?' Aparna asked.In February, the AQI reportedly hit 297, a level considered 'very unhealthy' and alarmingly close to 'hazardous'. For the couple, this was a wake-up call.advertisement'Namma Bengaluru is amazing. Even to start a business, it's the best place to be. But we had to make this choice as soon as possible. Before the city could sink us in, we left Bangalore,' they explained in the video.Despite having their work and social circle rooted in Bengaluru, they said their health took precedence.Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zindagified (@zindagified)The video, which has clocked nearly 1 million views so far, has sparked a debate. Several users supported the couple's arugument, but not everyone agreed with the couple's decision.Several users accused them of contributing to the city's overpopulation before criticising it.'Thank you for leaving. Makes the air that much fresher for the rest of us,' wrote one user.'Please leave, Bangalore was just fine before people started moving here for work and overcrowding the city. Also, the part you're calling Bangalore isn't even Bangalore, it's an extention to accomodate the crowd over the years. Try exploring the actual Bangalore,' another user added. Others, however, came to the couple's defence.'As a Bangalorean, y'all in the comments section gotta stop taking this so personally, and instead try to make our city safer for everyone,' a user said, while another added,'Everyone hating on your post when they should be raising issues and holding the govt accountable is exactly what's wrong with our citizens. Hope you will feel better elsewhere.'advertisementSee the comments here: While their decision may have ruffled feathers, Aswin and Aparna's story resonated with several urban residents battling similar concerns, raising a larger question: when does love for a city stop being enough if it's hurting your health?Trending Reel

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From once weighing 150 kilos to losing 90 kgs, woman shares her shocking weight loss secrets that transformed her life
5 non-negotiable food habits that worked for her From weighing 150 kilos to shedding 90, Pranjal Pandey's transformation has been nothing short of inspiring. The health influencer, who now uses her social media to motivate others, says her journey wasn't built on shortcuts or extreme diets but on small, consistent habits. In a recent Instagram post, Pranjal shared the food strategies, mindset shifts, and lifestyle rules that helped her not just lose the weight but also keep it admitted that weight loss can feel overwhelming, especially when cravings strike. 'Weight loss is pretty hard. It's mainly about controlling your food intake. But that becomes pretty hard when all you want are foods that will derail your progress,' she wrote. Her breakthrough came when she stopped treating cravings as emergencies. Instead of giving in right away, she started planning them into her meals for the next day. By budgeting calories and building her food plan around what she enjoyed, she learned how to eat chocolate cake or other indulgences without guilt. 'Not restricting any food mentally takes all of its power away. If I want it, I'll have it. I'm not bad for having something,' she also stressed the importance of distinguishing cravings from habits. Many times, what feels like a craving is actually boredom or routine eating, which, according to Pranjal, needs nothing but self-control to overcome. Her mantra: all foods fit, as long as you're mindful and handling cravings, Pranjal swears by five non-negotiable habits that keep her on track even today. First, she follows the 80/20 rule—eating what her body needs 80% of the time while enjoying what she wants the other 20%. Second, she makes hydration a priority, drinking 3-4 litres of water daily, often with electrolytes or coconut water. Third, she practices daily movement, which doesn't always mean heavy gym sessions. 'Just stretching, light yoga, or slow walks on your rest days also count!' she explained. Fourth, she makes sleep a priority, aiming for 6-8 hours each night. And lastly, she credits regular walking—7,000 to 10,000 steps a day—as one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in her weight loss journey 'Make sure you eat a balanced diet. That eliminates a lot of cravings,' Pranjal reminded her followers, while also cautioning against eating out of habit. For her, the transformation has been more about sustainability than sacrifice—a lifestyle she hopes others can take inspiration from.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Neha Dhupia lost 23 kg after childbirth, and her weight-loss secret is more than just diet and exercise
The Secret Behind the Weight Loss Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments Consistency Over Perfection Fitness for Mental Well-Being MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT Actor and TV host Neha Dhupia, 44, made headlines with her remarkable postpartum weight loss. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the mother of two revealed that after exceeding the typical 17 kg postpartum gain, she managed to lose 23 kg through a combination of balanced nutrition and a sustainable fitness routine. She emphasized that her journey was about self-love and consistency rather than quick shared that her focus initially was on breastfeeding and caring for her daughters, delaying attention to her own fitness. 'It was a crazy span of four years, where I lost and put on weight time and again,' she told Hindustan Times. The turning point came during lockdown when she committed to a calorie deficit diet and lifestyle adjustments tailored to her routine as a busy actor's approach was simple and realistic. She limited sugar, fried foods, and gluten while maintaining a balanced diet. 'I have dinner with my kids at 7:00 pm, which is very helpful, and breakfast with my husband at 11 am. All of this helps,' she said. Neha's regimen prioritized running over gym workouts and emphasized the importance of showing up even on difficult an Instagram post reflecting on her journey, Neha wrote, 'The truth is there are no shortcuts, there is no easy way around it… stay consistent, work hard and show up especially on the days you don't feel like it at all.' She credited her trainers, yoga coach, and personal determination for guiding her through the physical and mental challenges of her noted that physical health directly impacted her confidence and mental resilience. 'Being healthier allows me to keep up with my children and boosts my confidence. My mental well-being is closely tied to my physical health,' she said, reinforcing the holistic benefits of her disciplined yet flexible mothers navigating postpartum changes, her advice is clear: prioritize sustainable habits, remain consistent, and focus on personal growth. 'Get up, get out, work out and love yourself! Cause there's just one you,' she concluded in her Instagram post.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Matcha in Demand: How South India is Embracing the Trend
Strawberry Matcha at Dou, Nungambakkam Nirmal Raj, founder of Buddies Café and Dandjo Teas in Ooty, has been selling matcha since 2015. But of late, says the tea merchant, the quantities he has had to procure have more than quadrupled. 'Till a couple of years ago, I used to buy only 500g a month. It's now 8kg a month and rising,' says Nirmal. He's not sure what's driving the surge, but he's planning to ride the wave with a matcha dessert menu soon. It's game, set, matcha everywhere. Namratha Marlecha, founder of Sante Spa Cuisine in Chennai, is also seeing an increase in demand for their matcha dishes. 'We've been around for more than seven years now, and hardly a handful of people used to try our smoothie matcha bowl or matcha pina colada, for the health benefits. Today, almost every table has someone ordering matcha dishes. The demand has pushed us to rework our menu and add more matcha drinks,' says Namratha. A finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, matcha involves consuming the entire powdered young leaf, offering a more concentrated dose of nutrients and antioxidants, unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves. Once a niche Japanese import, matcha is now riding the social media wave into cafés, kitchens, and even personal tea collections across Chennai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Latshyamitra R says every time she opens her Instagram account, her feed is filled with matcha tea recipes. So much so that the UX designer got curious, bought 30g of ceremonial-grade matcha online, a premium quality powder traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, for Rs 800. 'I made matcha drinks with caramel, strawberry and vanilla,' says Latsyamitra. 'I'm planning to bake next,' she says. Saravanan B V, a brand designer from Ooty, initially tried it for its high antioxidant properties and health benefits. But soon he fell in love with the taste and now collects matcha varieties. Not all matcha tastes the same, says Saravanan. Indian matcha has an astringent taste (a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth) that comes from the altitude difference and the way it is ground, compared to Japanese matcha. The Japanese matcha, says Alexander R K, chef at Dou, Nungambakkam, has a unique flavour profile; a delicate balance of earthiness, umami and subtle bitterness making it a versatile ingredient that blends well with sweet and savoury dishes. 'We are trying to use matcha as salt in barbecue meats and tempura,' says Alexander. 'They are still in a trial phase, but show promise among adventurous diners. We're also exploring matcha-infused sauces and glazes that can complement Asian-inspired small plates and grills,' he adds. Matcha Brownie Café owners and tea merchants say they procure their matcha from Japan or Assam (the only place in India where it is grown). Chota Tingrai in Assam's Tinsukia district is the only tea estate in the country that produces it. 'We've been making green tea at Chota Tingrai using Japanese technology since the 1980s, but matcha requires far greater precision and investment,' says tea manufacturer Mrigendra Jalan of Jalan Industries. The estate is experimenting with the Yabukita cultivar and its Assam equivalent, slowly moving toward Japanese standards with both ceremonial and culinary grades. 'The process is slow and costly, as one Japanese grinding machine costs Rs 40 lakh and produces just 10kg a day,' he says. South India has the potential to grow matcha, says Jalan, but the climate and altitude will influence its flavour profile. 'South Indian tea is not as strong as Assam tea, and less bitter. While Assam works on refining production, demand from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ooty is already surging, pointing to a future where locally grown matcha could complement imports from Japan.' Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.