When Sagar Agarwal, Sourabh Akash and Pragya Srivastava — three college friends and alumni of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar — started working in the corporate world, they found themselves stuck in the daily grind. The young professionals craved for something beyond routine conversations about work politics and promotions. Agarwal shares, “Even with my existing circle of friends, there was a lack of interest in doing something new.”
Thus was born Oopar Club, which means ‘bringing your social life up’ in Hindi, in 2022. Today, the Bengaluru-headquartered social community boasts over 10,000 active members, 1,500 paid subscriptions, and 2,000-3,000 attendees at events in Hyderabad and Bengaluru every weekend. “It’s a member-driven initiative. Long-term members often get opportunities to host events,” Agarwal explains. The club generates revenue through ticket sales, subscriptions, and brand collaborations.
What makes the events surreal is that they have even facilitated individuals meeting their neighbours for the first time. “We have had so many cases where people have just met and then eventually realise that they are next-door neighbours,” says Agarwal, adding: “This shows how disconnected we have become, even in an overly connected world.”
Finding your tribe
In an age where loneliness often feels like the default setting, these social groups and communities are helping people to level up their social lives and make new friends based on their location and interests. They organise all kinds of events and activities, from karaoke, singing, dancing and live jam sessions to potlucks, book reading, games, running, house parties, blindfold conversations and even simple meetups with food and snacks, where one can speak with a complete stranger and “find their tribe”.
These communities claim to provide a safe space for one to push oneself out of the comfort zone and socialise with people one has never met before. Take for instance, Xcited, another social community based in Delhi and started by 22-year-old Suhani Bothra in 2023. Inspired by her train journeys and fascination towards people’s lives and love for Doraemon’s gadgets, she launched Xcited with a single idea— stranger meetups. “I wanted to live a thousand lives in one,” Bothra tells FE.
The idea struck her one midnight, and by the next day, Bothra and her friend were standing at Delhi’s Vishwavidyalaya Metro station (that mostly caters to students of Delhi university) with two QR codes (one for filling a form and another for joining their Instagram page), inviting strangers to their meetups. Initially, people rejected the idea, but Bothra persisted, creating videos and hosting small meetups—six to eight people initially. Xcited now has over 5,500 members. Its memberships cost `500 for a year so that friendships can be made organically with multiple meetings over time.
To encourage meaningful connections, Bothra ensures that each person speaks with everyone for at least 30 seconds. “Interestingly, conversa-tions often extend beyond five minutes,” she says. “We also distribute chits for attendees to write three questions, which can range from thought-provoking (‘If you could exchange lives with someone, who would it be and why?’) to lighthearted (‘Why is Melody so chocolaty?’.”
They wrap up with physical activities like relay races and balloon pop. “It’s heartening to see people form lasting bonds—some have become close friends, while some have even found their ‘soul siblings’,” adds Bothra.
Inclusion, networking
Vasu Vashisht, a 27-year-old portfolio manager, founded MitraMesh to help introverts like himself build meaningful relationships. “I believe that social life greatly influences your experiences and growth,” he says. In just six months, MitraMesh has grown to over 20,000 members, hosting events across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
MitraMesh focuses on creating a safe, inclusive environment, even offering “buddies” to support participants in anxiety-inducing activities like dancing or public speaking. Vashisht shares the story of a member whose therapist recommended stepping out of her comfort zone. “She now attends all our events and even performs on stage. It’s been life-changing for her,” he says. “We also have seen professional networks being created,” he adds.
The community generates revenue through business partnerships, ticket sales, and sponsorships. MitraMesh has organised over 100 events, with 50-100 attendees per gathering, and partnered with over 20 businesses.
Creeping loneliness
These communities are also addressing a growing concern among urban youth—loneliness. “Loneliness among young people in urban areas has been on the rise. One major reason is the shift from face-to-face interactions to digital communication,” explains Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, consultant psychiatrist at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
Dr Anubhav Bhushan Dua, a psychiatrist at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Ghaziabad’s Vaishali, highlights, “The scarcity of community-driven spaces and the individualistic ethos of modern urban environments exacerbate this isolation.”
