A viral Reddit post by a Bengaluru-based tech professional has reignited a heated debate on India’s infrastructure, public services, and the overall quality of life for the country’s middle class. Titled “Is India ever going to change? Or should I just leave already?”, the post by user AdhesivenessBoth4928 quickly gained traction, with thousands of users echoing his frustrations.
The author, a 30-year-old tech worker with a household income of Rs 60 lakh, offered a candid critique of life in India—specifically in Bangalore—despite what many would consider a financially secure lifestyle.
“On paper, we’re doing fine. But the quality of life makes me question if living in India is even worth it anymore,” he wrote.
One of the primary grievances raised in the post was the poor state of infrastructure in India’s tech capital. The user highlighted the daily ordeal of commuting in East Bangalore:
“I live in Horemavu (Bangalore) — it takes me 40 minutes to cover 3 kms. Every road has either bottlenecks, broken or dug up. Construction is never-ending. Projects start, but never finish. Where’s the accountability?”
Despite paying some of the highest road taxes in the country, he says the return on investment is appalling: “This is pure daylight robbery.”
The user also expressed anger over the lack of basic services despite high taxation.
“We pay massive taxes and get NOTHING back… no free healthcare, no decent education, not even reliable water. 30-40% tax and we still have to buy water?” he noted, drawing comparisons with countries like Canada and Germany, where taxes are more evidently utilized for public welfare.
The rant went beyond infrastructure, touching on the environmental and social toll of urban life.
“Dust everywhere. Noise. Stress. Road rage is normal. You can’t walk peacefully, you can’t breathe clean air. I don’t feel safe sending my wife out alone after 7 PM,” he wrote, painting a grim picture of everyday living conditions.
Another concern raised was the widespread corruption in bureaucratic systems.
“Nothing moves unless you bribe the babus,” he said, recalling how he had to pay a Rs 2,000 bribe just to get a marriage certificate issued.
The post found resonance with many Reddit users, who shared similar experiences and observations. One commenter who had lived abroad reflected:
“Was in Singapore… earning way less than my peers in India. But I was happy and proud there. Lifestyle was good, human life is valued, personal space is given priority, safety is at very top notch.”
He continued with a stark warning: “For this country we are labourers and thick layers to extort tax. Nothing will change.”
Another user highlighted the broader implications of such dissatisfaction among India’s professionals, “a significant number of highly skilled engineers and entrepreneurs are paying 30% or more in taxes. We risk losing these individuals to other countries that offer better opportunities, lower taxes, and greater respect for their expertise.”
Some users emphasized that even financial success cannot protect one from the deficiencies in public life. “I don’t see the Ambanis or Bollywood Khans out in the street but living a life in glass palaces,” one user remarked. He added “to go out with your family and breathe fresh air, visit a park where it is safe for your kid to play… you gotta leave for a country which actually does something for you with your tax money.”
Despite the frustration, the original poster concluded on a note of emotional conflict—a sentiment that many professionals in India may relate to, “I genuinely want to contribute to this country. I want to stay and build something here. But it just feels like the system is set up to squeeze the working class.”
The viral thread has since sparked deeper conversations around governance, urban planning, and the treatment of taxpayers in India—underscoring a growing rift between the aspirations of the middle class and the realities they face.