Harsh Snehanshu, the founder of Cubbon Reads and Pint of View, has described Bengaluru as the “loneliest” city he has lived in in a post on LinkedIn, even as his initiatives continue to bring people together and help build communities in the city.
Snehanshu, who has created spaces for like-minded people to connect, said that loneliness persists despite social interactions and friendships. He added that several of his friends in Bengaluru also feel similarly isolated even while being in company.
Speaking about his experiences of living in different cities including Patna, Paris, Dhanbad, Delhi, Dharamshala, Mumbai, Manali, Glasgow and Goa, he said none of them felt as lonely as Bengaluru. According to him, the city offers many activities but very few spaces for passive engagement or quiet observation.
He said Bengaluru is a city with “a lot of things to do” but little to simply see or experience. In his view, people often rely on activities such as visiting pubs, parks, lakes or short getaways to keep themselves occupied. He added that such activities function more as distractions when there is little space for stillness or reflection.
Comparing Bengaluru with cities like Mumbai and Delhi, he said places such as Marine Drive or India Gate allow for solitude and introspection, offering a sense of escape through either vast natural views or historical surroundings. He said these environments make it easier to sit alone with one’s thoughts, unlike Bengaluru, where social spaces often require conversation and interaction.
He further said that even informal gatherings at pubs or friends’ homes tend to involve constant engagement, leaving little opportunity for introspection. According to him, this limits the chance for individuals to process their thoughts quietly, making loneliness a more persistent feeling.
Snehanshu also said he is unsure whether this experience is the same for people who were born and raised in the city with family, as opposed to migrants like himself.
Responding to differing opinions on his statement, he said that feelings of loneliness are personal experiences and not something that can be agreed or disagreed with. He added that as a writer, he believes in expressing strong views, stating that lukewarm opinions tend not to resonate or endure.
Snehanshu, who has created spaces for like-minded people to connect, said that loneliness persists despite social interactions and friendships. He added that several of his friends in Bengaluru also feel similarly isolated even while being in company.
Speaking about his experiences of living in different cities including Patna, Paris, Dhanbad, Delhi, Dharamshala, Mumbai, Manali, Glasgow and Goa, he said none of them felt as lonely as Bengaluru. According to him, the city offers many activities but very few spaces for passive engagement or quiet observation.
He said Bengaluru is a city with “a lot of things to do” but little to simply see or experience. In his view, people often rely on activities such as visiting pubs, parks, lakes or short getaways to keep themselves occupied. He added that such activities function more as distractions when there is little space for stillness or reflection.
Comparing Bengaluru with cities like Mumbai and Delhi, he said places such as Marine Drive or India Gate allow for solitude and introspection, offering a sense of escape through either vast natural views or historical surroundings. He said these environments make it easier to sit alone with one’s thoughts, unlike Bengaluru, where social spaces often require conversation and interaction.
He further said that even informal gatherings at pubs or friends’ homes tend to involve constant engagement, leaving little opportunity for introspection. According to him, this limits the chance for individuals to process their thoughts quietly, making loneliness a more persistent feeling.
Snehanshu also said he is unsure whether this experience is the same for people who were born and raised in the city with family, as opposed to migrants like himself.
Responding to differing opinions on his statement, he said that feelings of loneliness are personal experiences and not something that can be agreed or disagreed with. He added that as a writer, he believes in expressing strong views, stating that lukewarm opinions tend not to resonate or endure.
