‘India Was Supposed To Feel Cheap': Dubai Vlogger Shocked To See ‘Rs 1,000 Ki Chai'
A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger and radio presenter has gone viral after sharing his frustration over how expensive India feels today. Parikshit Balochi, who earns in dirhams, admitted he always expected to feel richer whenever he visited his home country. Instead, he confessed that the reality has been the opposite.
'I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India," he joked in an Instagram video that has already crossed over 5 lakh views. To explain his shock, he shared a simple example: a cup of tea at his Mumbai hotel cost him Rs 1,000.
'Rs 1,000 is what we used to put on the stock market when I left India. What is happening?" he asked, leaving viewers both amused and sympathetic.
From dirhams to rupees
For decades, many NRIs enjoyed visiting India because their earnings in dirhams, dollars, or euros converted into a strong advantage against the rupee. Everything from food to shopping felt affordable, making trips home a chance to indulge. But Balochi said that feeling no longer exists.
'Doston, we had a deal. The deal was I come to India, everything feels cheap. Main paisa udaaun because main dirhams aur dollars mein kama raha hun (I spend lavishly because I earn in dirhams and dollars)," he explained.
Shocked by the shift, he added: 'Dirhams ko rupees mein convert karke kaise shock lag sakta hai yar? It was supposed to be the other way around." For reference, one UAE dirham is worth around Rs 23.83.
High prices at home
Balochi's rant struck a chord because of how relatable it felt. Mixing humour with his frustration, he quipped: 'I hadn't left India so I could come back and sort prices from low to high. I was supposed to come here and flex. Instead, I have spent so much that I'm looking for a flexible payment plan."
Laughing at his situation, he added: 'Yahan pe logon se puch raha hun, kitna paisa hai bhai tumhare paas (I'm asking people here how much money they have)."
His video has since been widely shared, sparking discussions about India's soaring cost of living.
The comments under his post were filled with agreement from fellow NRIs who admitted they felt the same way.
A user wrote, 'Finally someone said it. Prices are skyrocketing in India, that too with dropping quality."
Another added, 'I feel this every time I visit India. Sure, I earn in dollars and can afford it, but what amazes me is how locals manage without dollar salaries."
An individual summed it up perfectly: 'I was thinking am I the only one who feels gareeb after coming to India."
The viral rant has opened up a larger conversation on how India's rising prices are being felt by both NRIs and locals alike.
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First Published:
August 16, 2025, 11:55 IST
News viral 'India Was Supposed To Feel Cheap': Dubai Vlogger Shocked To See 'Rs 1,000 Ki Chai'
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