Latest news with #ParikshitBalochi
India.com
5 minutes ago
- India.com
Rs 1,000 For A Tea? NRI's Viral Rant On Rising Prices In India Sparks Outrage
Mumbai: A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger and radio presenter, Parikshit Balochi, has stirred a lively debate on social media after sharing his shock at India's soaring cost of living. His Instagram video, where he recounted being charged a staggering ₹1,000 for a cup of tea at a luxury hotel in Mumbai, has quickly gone viral, crossing half a million views and sparking conversations across platforms. Balochi, who frequently travels between the UAE and India, said he never expected to feel financially strained in his home country. 'As an NRI, I never expected to feel poor in India,' he remarked in the viral clip. 'How can converting dirhams to rupees give me a shock? It used to be the opposite.' With one UAE dirham currently valued at around ₹23.83, he admitted the experience was eye-opening, suggesting that even those earning in stronger foreign currencies are no longer immune to India's rising expenses. Traditionally, NRIs have enjoyed a currency advantage, finding India far more affordable compared to their lives abroad. But Balochi's comments highlight a shifting reality, where skyrocketing costs in metro cities are beginning to mirror if not exceed those in global hubs like Dubai. His candid rant resonated with thousands of viewers. Several NRIs and locals shared their own experiences of being stunned by India's inflated prices. 'Every time I visit Bombay, I'm shocked it's as expensive as Dubai, sometimes more,' one user commented. Another added, 'Finally, someone said it. I always feel 'gareeb' when I come back to India.' The discussion has opened up broader concerns about India's cost of living, especially in metropolitan cities where basic expenses from dining to housing have sharply increased. While some argue that the prices Balochi encountered reflect luxury lifestyle choices, others insist it mirrors the growing financial strain even middle-class families face daily. For many, his viral outburst is more than just about a pricey cup of tea it has become a symbol of how urban inflation is reshaping the way people, both locals and NRIs, view affordability in India.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘I wasn't supposed to feel gareeb in India': Dubai vlogger left shocked after Rs 1,000 chai in Mumbai
A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger has gone viral for something most NRIs can relate to — the shock of returning home and finding India anything but 'cheap.' Parikshit Balochi, a radio presenter and content creator, recently posted a candid Instagram video about how the cost of living back home has left him stunned. His witty yet exasperated rant, especially about a cup of tea that set him back Rs 1,000, has already crossed half a million his video, Balochi confessed that earning in dirhams always gave him the impression that India would be his playground for carefree spending. 'I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India,' he said, sounding equal parts amused and frustrated. But instead of feeling wealthy, the inflated bills in Mumbai hotels and cafés have made him rethink the entire NRI privilege. Nothing captured his disbelief better than the price of a humble cup of tea. 'Rs 1,000 is what we used to put on the stock market when I left India. What is happening?' he explained that the unspoken 'deal' NRIs had with India was simple — come home, convert dirhams to rupees, and live like royalty. He said that converting dirhams into rupees was supposed to make him feel richer, not leave him shocked. Instead of showing off his wealth, he now jokes that he might actually need flexible payment plans just to survive the a mix of satire and genuine worry, Balochi ended his rant by pointing out how much money locals must be managing to spend daily. 'Yahan pe logon se puch raha hun, kitna paisa hai bhai tumhare paas,' he said, marvelling at how residents navigate this reality.
NDTV
20 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
"Rs 1,000 For A Tea?": NRI's Viral Rant On India's Soaring Prices Sparks Outrage
A Dubai-based Indian travel vlogger and radio presenter, Parikshit Balochi, has sparked widespread discussion online after sharing his surprise at the rising cost of living in India. In a video posted to Instagram, Balochi expressed disbelief over how expensive basic items have become, saying that even as an NRI earning in dirhams, he felt financially strained during his visit. In the viral clip, which has garnered over half a million views, Balochi cited the example of a cup of tea costing him Rs 1,000 at a hotel in Mumbai. "As an NRI, I never expected to feel poor in India," he remarked. Traditionally, NRIs benefit from stronger foreign currencies, making Indian expenses seem more affordable. However, Balochi said that this is no longer the case. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parikshit Balochi | RJ | Emcee | Travel | Lifestyle | Dubai (@parikshitbalochi) "How can converting dirhams to rupees give me a shock? It used to be the opposite," he said. With 1 UAE dirham currently equal to about Rs 23.83, his experience has highlighted changing economic realities for returning NRIs. Social media users are resonating with Parikshit Balochi's sentiments on the high cost of living in India. Many have shared similar experiences, expressing shock at the expensive lifestyle in major cities like Mumbai. "Every year I go back to Bombay, and I'm shocked it's as expensive as Dubai, sometimes more," wrote one user. Another commented, "Finally! Someone said it out loud. I thought I was the only one who felt 'gareeb' after coming to India." A third user added, "I feel this every time I visit. I earn in dollars, so I can afford it but how do locals manage? Itna paisa sabke paas kaise aata hai? If I knew, I wouldn't have left India!"
NDTV
20 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
NRI Shocked By Rs 1,000 Cup Of Tea At Mumbai Hotel: Viral Video Sparks Debate
A Dubai-based NRI has set social media abuzz after sharing his shock at the high price of a cup of tea during a recent trip to India. Parikshit Balochi, who earns in dirhams, expected to feel affluent when visiting his home country. But reality, he says, was quite the opposite. "I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India," Balochi remarked in an Instagram video that has since garnered over 536K views. The trigger for his viral rant? A simple cup of chai (tea) at a Mumbai five-star hotel that came with a price tag of Rs 1,000. "Rs 1,000 is what we used to put on the stock market when I left India. What is happening?" he said, humorously highlighting the stark contrast between the past and the present day. Traditionally, NRIs have enjoyed returning to India because their earnings in foreign currencies made local luxuries significantly more affordable. Balochi, however, points out that this advantage seems to be dwindling. "Doston, we had a deal. The deal was that I come to India, and 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 said. Watch the complete viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parikshit Balochi | RJ | Emcee | Travel | Lifestyle | Dubai (@parikshitbalochi) The video has sparked a flurry of reactions from netizens, particularly around food and beverage costs. Many commented on the contrast between high-end and street-level options. One user wrote, "Just avoid going to 4-5 star places to drink tea, you will feel normal and try sadak ki chai for less than a dollar and momos!!" A few comments defended the pricing logic of luxury hotels. "There is a certain way you spend money, dude. If at a 5-star hotel you had a tea, it would definitely cost you Rs 1000 and more," noted one. Another added, "There are decent hotels where you will get a decent chai for 4 Dirhams. The sadak [street] chai is 1 Dirham. If you are drinking chai in a 5-star restaurant, you are obviously rich bhai. I feel your rant is not fair to India." One user commented, "This man is just showing off his wealth creation. A cup of chai is still available for Rs 10. If you stay in a five-star hotel or sip tea in a fancy restaurant, then obviously you will have to shell out more. Education is important." Another quipped, "2025 India: Where even pani puri asks for a credit score." Some compared luxury pricing with everyday items, highlighting the impact on middle-class consumers. "I felt the same. One packet of cheddar cheese is pricier in India than in Dubai-but middle-class incomes are not still matchable. So it's hard for the middle class to continue spending on such items, and they remain aspirational somehow," shared a user. Another remarked, "It happened exactly to me too, a normal vada pav at Mumbai airport costs Rs 400."
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
‘India Was Supposed To Feel Cheap': Dubai Vlogger Shocked To See ‘Rs 1,000 Ki Chai'
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 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. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. view comments 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' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
