Dubai based vlogger Parikshit Balochi’s social media post went viral after he remarked about the rising cost of living in India, citing an instance of paying Rs 1000 for a cup of tea. This observation, however, is exaggerated and based on half baked knowledge.
What he must understand is that India is a land of diversity, where one can enjoy a cup of tea for as little as Rs 10, or even as much as Rs 1000.
Life in India exists at many levels of comfort and luxury. If he chooses to experience only the topmost segment and then generalizes it, that is his ignorance.
Prices at five star hotels and star rated restobars and other outlets in India are comparable to those in other countries when adjusted for currency exchange, so such comparisons are misplaced.
India is no longer a poor country. NRIs should not expect that everything here will always be cheap. In fact, many NRIs are surprised to see the spending power of Indians in upscale markets and lifestyle hubs.
Kalpana, a resident of Toronto, shared, “I live in Canada. After 15 years, I visited Hyderabad and shopped for a saree in Jubilee Hills of Hyderabad. I picked one worth Rs 22000, thinking it was expensive. To my shock, middle aged women beside me bought two sarees each, costing Rs 56000. Out of curiosity, I asked the salesperson how many sarees like mine are sold daily. He said such prices are normal, and many buyers spend Rs 25000 to Rs 30000 on average. I was amazed at the spending power of Indians. As an NRI I used to feel richer 15 years back, but now I am a middle class in India. I look up to India for this.”
Similarly, Avinash Chaturvedi, who lives in the USA, said, “When I was in Mumbai last month, I visited a star rated restobar with a friend. We had a couple of drinks and two veg snacks. The bill came to Rs 9500. Such pricing is common in elite restaurants in New York too. I realized one thing that within India, you can find both India and the USA. There are people ready to spend big in both categories.”
“In Indian cities, we see how families flock to multiplexes during big film releases. Though the ticket is cheaper, everyone knows that popcorn and cool drinks are priced at par with USA multiplex rates. Yet, we still see long queues during the interval, where couples easily spend around Rs 1000 and families of four spend nearly Rs 3000. As an Indian who frequently travels between India, Dubai and the USA, I feel Indians are spending money in ways that can shock global standards,” says Ranganath, a businessman.
Parikshit’s outlook, though misplaced, highlights India’s evolution into one of the world’s top consumer markets. Global powers, especially the USA, must recognize this reality.
Trade relations should reflect this strength, or else retaliatory tariffs from India could hurt them more. India would not lose much, but the USA risks losing a massive customer base, something that could prove counterproductive.