The youth struggle!

Everyone is literally crying even without cutting onions because of its soaring rates. However, the youth of Bengaluru vent out their woes on the price hike of almost every commodity from fuel to groceries and more. With a growing economy it is inevitable that food, housing and other sectors also is becoming unaffordable. Speaking to the youngsters of the city, we delve deeper into the lives of a common middle class lifestyle.

With dreams of improving his financial status Yashpal Kasotiya a Catalogue Associate in an MNC came to Bengaluru. Here's what he has to say, "With a 5-digit salary my dream was to save a larger chunk of my money and spend only in dire situations. But living in a metropolitan city like Bengaluru there is no scope for saving as the cost of living is very high.

I divide my salary into three parts i.e one part for my parents back home to help them with household chores, second part for my rent, food and grocery and the third portion of my salary is for me to have a social life which usually is less than half of the other portions."

 He concludes, “While everyone is planning on building a strong future, these price hikes on commodities and sectors that our survival depends upon, is shattering our dream for a better tomorrow.”

Jithin working in sales department in an MNC believes that the need for a vacation is a fantasy. He says, “Accomplishing all the requirements along the lines of family commitments, self fantasies like solo bike trips are not possible. Terming bike trip as a fantasy is appropriate because of these extensive expenses in the name of survival, lifestyle, health, social status and its maintenance are just going high, making a difference in the saving amounts.”

Day to day essentials like the groceries, health, body care products and restaurants have become costly and the youth in the city are opting for money lending apps to avoid the embarrassment of asking peers and friends.

Kavya S from a real estate agency says that most of her money is spent on commuting in where she spends over Rs 9,000 per month. She says, “With bad roads in the city and trying to reach on time to avoid deduction of salary, we tend to succumb to these options. To mark my own image, as a girl formal wear with a charismatic look is demanding and for this I started using apps that lends money and can be paid the following month with a small amount of interest. Now preference for home cooked food is another to double-check with the expenses. Rise in the price of onions, vegetables, eggs, meat and milk is obstructing this option of cooking at home and has left us clueless.”

She adds, “In addition to travelling, these expenses cross more than Rs 16,000 per month. Ultimately, expenses control my savings. I try organising what is really necessary for my survival, the situation has always only been hand-to-mouth.”