IITian still regrets leaving Bengaluru 8 years ago: 'We didn't just leave a city, but ...
While many online discussions focus on the reasons why people abandon Bengaluru—whether it's unbearable traffic, inadequate infrastructure, or the city's escalating cost of living—one entrepreneur decided to highlight something deeper. Instead of dwelling on what made him leave, he reflected on the intangible sacrifices that came with walking away. Eight years after parting ways with the
startup capital of India
, this founder shared his realization about what the distance from Bengaluru truly cost him: the irreplaceable proximity to innovation, vibrant exchanges of ideas, and a front-row seat to India's growing entrepreneurial wave.
Taking to X, startup founder
Shubham Bansal
wrote how, years ago, driven by frustration over Bengaluru's poor roads and exhausting commute, he and his wife made the decision to relocate from the city to their hometown. On the surface, the move was practical—trading chaos for calm and stress for stability. However, what seemed like a smart escape from urban disorder gradually revealed hidden emotional and professional consequences.
With their departure, they didn't just change geographies. They distanced themselves from their close-knit network of college friends and drifted away from the startup ecosystem's energetic buzz. The constant exchange of groundbreaking ideas, the spontaneous meetups that often sparked new ventures, and the contagious spirit of ambition—all of it was lost. In the process, they also missed out on once-in-a-lifetime professional openings that could have altered the course of their careers.
One of the more profound effects of leaving Bengaluru was how delayed their exposure to emerging technologies became. In the past, they were among the first to dive into new tools, platforms, or innovations. Now, without immediate access to early adopters and trendsetters, they found themselves trailing behind, hearing about revolutionary changes like AI only after they had already disrupted industries. Their identity shifted from pioneers to followers—showing up late to the revolution rather than shaping it from the start.
— BakarBansal (@BakarBansal)
Though life in their hometown was undeniably peaceful and comfortable, something vital always felt missing. It wasn't material—it was an emotional and intellectual longing to stay in touch with the rapidly evolving world of technology and entrepreneurship. A persistent sense of missing out, driven by an innate curiosity and hunger to learn, constantly lingered beneath the surface.
To cope with this gap, Bansal took conscious steps to rebuild his connection to the startup universe. He became an active member of online communities that focused on personal and professional growth, started sharing insights on social platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, and engaged with people from varied industries to keep learning. He also made it a point to return to Bengaluru every six to eight months. These short but meaningful visits helped him stay attuned to the dynamic landscape of startups, ideas, and innovation that continued to flourish in the city.
Shubham Bansal, an
IIT Bombay
graduate, may have physically stepped away from Bengaluru, but he continues to find ways to keep his spirit tethered to the city that remains at the heart of India's tech evolution.
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