'I was not supposed to feel poor': Dubai-based vlogger after paying Rs 1,000 for tea in Mumbai

Parikshit Balochi admitted that, like many NRIs, he had always assumed that converting earnings in dirhams into rupees would give him financial comfort when visiting India.

An Indian radio presenter and travel vlogger based in Dubai has drawn widespread attention online after sharing a candid account of how expensive life in India appeared on his return. Parikshit Balochi, who frequently creates content about his travels, posted a video on Instagram that struck a chord with many non-resident Indians (NRIs), highlighting the reversal of a long-held perception that India offered an affordable lifestyle for those earning abroad.

In his video, which has now been viewed more than half a million times, Balochi expressed both amusement and frustration at the steep prices he encountered during his trip. What shocked him most, he said, was the bill for a simple cup of tea in Mumbai. “I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb (poor) in India,” he remarked, adding that he paid Rs 1,000 for tea — an amount he compared to what he once invested in the stock market before leaving India. “What is happening?” he asked rhetorically.

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A post shared by Parikshit Balochi | RJ | Emcee | Travel | Lifestyle | Dubai (@parikshitbalochi)

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Balochi admitted that, like many NRIs, he had always assumed that converting earnings in dirhams into rupees would give him financial comfort when visiting India. Instead, the high costs he faced at hotels and cafes had the opposite effect. “The idea was that we earn in dirhams, spend in rupees, and feel like royalty. That was the deal,” he explained in his post. “But this time, instead of feeling rich, I was left stunned by the bills.”

The presenter joked that rather than splurging, he might need flexible payment options to keep up with local expenses. He also reflected on how everyday residents manage in such circumstances. “Here I am asking people, how much money do you even have to spend like this?” he said, astonished.