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Kolkata Man: Dubai Life Harder Than It Looks, 'I Was Better Off In India'

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News18•22-09-2026, 14:15
Kolkata Man: Dubai Life Harder Than It Looks, 'I Was Better Off In India'
- •Rahul Bala, a chef from Kolkata, shares his challenging experience living and working in Dubai, stating life there is not as easy as expected.
- •He advises people to consider the high cost of living in Dubai before moving, as a significant portion of salaries goes towards basic needs.
- •Bala highlights that converting Dubai dirhams to Indian rupees creates a misleading impression of wealth, as daily expenses make saving difficult for ordinary workers.
- •He cites food costs, with a basic meal costing around 10 dirhams (Rs 260), and explains how essential expenses quickly deplete a 2,500 dirham monthly salary.
- •Social media users supported Bala's views, with some agreeing on the difficulties of life abroad without sufficient income, while others encouraged him to persevere for better opportunities.
Key Questions Answered
Rahul Bala shared that life in Dubai is harder than it appears, explaining that high everyday living expenses make it difficult for ordinary workers to save money or send funds home.
According to Rahul Bala, a basic meal in Dubai can cost around 10 dirhams, which translates to approximately Rs 260.
Rahul Bala used a monthly salary of 2,500 dirhams—equivalent to about Rs 65,168—to illustrate how quickly basic expenses can consume a worker's earnings.





