A graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and currently residing in Bengaluru, Monali Dambre has publicly voiced her growing unease about India’s escalating cost of living. As a core team member of the startup Agno, Monali highlighted that the strain on daily expenses is not limited to major cities—it’s now a serious issue in smaller, tier-3 towns as well.
According to her, the rapid surge in prices of everyday essentials is placing a heavy burden on the nation’s middle and lower economic classes, who may find it increasingly difficult to meet even the most basic needs in the near future.
Monali conveyed her concerns through a post on X (formerly Twitter), which struck a chord with numerous working professionals across urban centers. In her post, she candidly wrote that she’s gradually beginning to accept how unaffordable life is becoming in India—not only in big cities but even in smaller towns that were once considered cost-effective. She admitted to feeling anxious about how common people, especially those from modest backgrounds, are managing to cope with this financial pressure—and whether they’ll be able to continue doing so in the years ahead.
She further acknowledged that she might be exaggerating the situation or misjudging it, saying, “Maybe I’m just overthinking, or maybe it isn’t as bad as it seems. Still, something doesn’t feel quite right.” Her honesty and introspection added a layer of authenticity to her words, making the post even more relatable.
To back her viewpoint, Monali shared a personal example. Despite leading a relatively minimalistic lifestyle in Bengaluru and avoiding costly purchases like imported goods or gourmet items, her grocery bills have become noticeably higher in recent months. She mentioned that even basic necessities like fruits, vegetables, and daily household items are now consuming a larger portion of her income, which feels disproportionate to their actual value.
In response, many online users echoed her sentiments. One person commented that they had recognized this trend a couple of years ago and made the decision to relocate to a quieter hometown surrounded by nature and mountains. Another individual pointed out that the income-to-expense ratio in India is significantly worse compared to developed nations, making essentials like rent, healthcare, transportation, and food feel disproportionately costly relative to earnings.
Interestingly, someone else observed that in several tier-2 and tier-3 towns in western India, food items such as produce and dairy are actually cheaper and fresher than in metros, adding nuance to the discussion.
Monali’s post has amassed over 460,000 views and has sparked a meaningful dialogue about affordability and the shifting economic landscape in India.
According to her, the rapid surge in prices of everyday essentials is placing a heavy burden on the nation’s middle and lower economic classes, who may find it increasingly difficult to meet even the most basic needs in the near future.
Monali conveyed her concerns through a post on X (formerly Twitter), which struck a chord with numerous working professionals across urban centers. In her post, she candidly wrote that she’s gradually beginning to accept how unaffordable life is becoming in India—not only in big cities but even in smaller towns that were once considered cost-effective. She admitted to feeling anxious about how common people, especially those from modest backgrounds, are managing to cope with this financial pressure—and whether they’ll be able to continue doing so in the years ahead.
I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that the cost of living in India is getting really expensive—even in smaller, tier-3 cities.
— Monali (@monali_dambre) May 3, 2025
And honestly, I’m starting to feel genuinely worried about how the lower and middle class are managing to survive… or how they’re going to…
She further acknowledged that she might be exaggerating the situation or misjudging it, saying, “Maybe I’m just overthinking, or maybe it isn’t as bad as it seems. Still, something doesn’t feel quite right.” Her honesty and introspection added a layer of authenticity to her words, making the post even more relatable.
To back her viewpoint, Monali shared a personal example. Despite leading a relatively minimalistic lifestyle in Bengaluru and avoiding costly purchases like imported goods or gourmet items, her grocery bills have become noticeably higher in recent months. She mentioned that even basic necessities like fruits, vegetables, and daily household items are now consuming a larger portion of her income, which feels disproportionate to their actual value.
In response, many online users echoed her sentiments. One person commented that they had recognized this trend a couple of years ago and made the decision to relocate to a quieter hometown surrounded by nature and mountains. Another individual pointed out that the income-to-expense ratio in India is significantly worse compared to developed nations, making essentials like rent, healthcare, transportation, and food feel disproportionately costly relative to earnings.
Interestingly, someone else observed that in several tier-2 and tier-3 towns in western India, food items such as produce and dairy are actually cheaper and fresher than in metros, adding nuance to the discussion.
Monali’s post has amassed over 460,000 views and has sparked a meaningful dialogue about affordability and the shifting economic landscape in India.
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