A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) expecting to showcase his foreign earnings in India received an unexpected reality check after being charged ₹1,000 for a cup of tea at a Mumbai hotel. The incident, shared on Instagram by user @parikshitbalochi, has gone viral, amassing over 9,000 likes and igniting a broader discussion about India’s escalating cost of living.
“I am an NRI, I was not supposed to feel gareeb in India. We had a deal—I come to India, spend a lot, and go back happily. But I just had tea worth ₹1,000. What is happening?” the man said in the video, questioning how locals manage daily expenses.
Traditionally, favorable currency conversion rates have given NRIs significant purchasing power during visits to India. However, the speaker claimed this advantage is diminishing rapidly in 2025, citing soaring prices across street food, hotels, and shopping.
Social media reactions ranged from agreement to sarcasm. “Finally someone said it. Prices are skyrocketing in India, that too with dropping quality,” commented one user. Another quipped, “Locals spend more without feeling the pinch… but NRIs cry a lot.”
Several users suggested the man avoid luxury hotels and opt for affordable alternatives. “Try sadak ki chai for less than a dollar and momos. You’ll feel normal,” one wrote. Others raised broader concerns about India’s wealth gap, warning that rising costs disproportionately impact the middle class and poor.
The viral post underscores a growing sentiment that the country’s economic boom is accompanied by steep inflation, leaving even foreign currency earners surprised at how expensive “everyday India” has become.
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