Monali Dambre, an IIT Bombay alumna residing in Bengaluru, recently voiced her growing concern over India’s escalating cost of living, especially for middle- and lower-income families. Sharing her thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Dambre noted that even basic grocery expenses in Bengaluru have started to feel disproportionately high, hinting at a nationwide trend of inflation.
In her post, she expressed anxiety about how the working class would continue to manage amid surging costs. “Even tier-3 cities are no longer affordable. Something feels off,” she wrote. She added that her grocery bills—limited to essentials like fruits and vegetables—seem unreasonably steep, despite avoiding luxury or packaged items.
Her remarks ignited a wave of responses online. Some users suggested that prices might seem inflated due to quick commerce platforms, urging her to shop at local markets. However, others argued that even in-person purchases no longer offer relief. One user pointed out that vegetables at local Indiranagar markets matched app prices, while lentils and staples were pricier.
Many blamed the real estate sector, claiming exorbitant rents force businesses to hike prices. “All political black money is tied up in real estate,” one user alleged, “and fixing that alone can lower overall costs.” Others pointed to the rupee’s declining value, post-GST taxation, and the aftermath of demonetisation and COVID-19 as compounding factors.
Several echoed the sentiment that today’s cost of living makes it harder to enjoy leisure or social activities, as day-to-day expenses consume most earnings.
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