Vaibhav Jain, a wealth manager, moved to Bangalore in April 2023, after staying nearly a decade in Mumbai. The transition was exciting – the pleasant time and the dynamic energy of Bangalore made a refreshing change. More than adaptation to a new city, he found himself attracted by the cultural essence of Karnataka.
Meetings with car drivers, home aid and residents have stressed how much Kannada was deeply rooted in daily life. Inspired, he decided to learn the language – not out of necessity but as a gesture of appreciation.
“I had seen so many people from the southern states to learn Hindi while living in Mumbai, NCR or Indore. I thought, why not try to learn Kannada myself? He wrote in a long post on LinkedIn. He even picked up a book to start, wanting to connect with his new environment.
But the city’s atmosphere began to move. The debates on the identity of Kannada and the growing resentment towards “foreigners” have become more pronounced. What started as an enriching experience soon felt disturbing. “It was not the bangalore that I had come to admire,” he wrote. The heat he had initially felt seemed to be overshadowed by growing hostility, having him questioned his place in the city.
Jain said that his move had been linked to his professional career – after the acquisition of Wealthdesk by Phonepe – but the changing social climate contributed to his decision to leave. He recognizes that Bangalore, like any metropolitan area, is struggling with overcrowding, water shortages and congestion of traffic. But these are growing pains, not barriers to inclusiveness.
Karnataka has long been proud of its inheritance, Kannada being more than a simple language – it represents the identity and the cultural heritage of the State. Over time, concerns about its decrease in importance in the middle of the domination of Hindi and English have fueled efforts to save its place. Kannada compulsory signaling to protest against the imposition of other languages, discourse reflects a deeper fear of cultural erosion.
“For those who are convinced to preserve the culture of karnataka, I respect your pride and your passion,” he shared. But he believes that the country thrives on unity in diversity, each state adding to the rich mosaic of India. His stay in Bangalore was filled with admiration and discomfort, a mixture of learning and reflection.
“This message does not concern the fingers but the sharing of my point of view,” he said. “In Bangalore and its inhabitants: thank you for memories and lessons.”
