12 Dec 2025
Haven’t posted here in a while, but this is worth an update: I’m moving to Berlin. I’ve loved living in Bangalore for the last decade (I moved here just after the first HillHacks in May 2015), but it is time for an adventure.
For the last couple of years, I’ve spent my time living in Indiranagar, building communities, helping underline.center, working on blr.today, organizing events, and really doing things that I care about. It has been a wonderful time, but we wanted to experience life elsewhere, and Berlin seems to fit the bill.
Bangalore’s infrastructure has been in the news, and it is a part of why I’m moving. An unwalkable footpath on CMH road meant we spent half a year dealing with a broken elbow this year. At Takshashila, I was taught that I’m not allowed to bring up civic problems without also coming up with solutions. But Bangalore is an unsolvable paradox: A city with 50+ unicorns and no walkable footpaths.
I’ve fought my personal share of battles against the state, but this is one where I don’t have any hope of making a difference. I appreciate the work that the Bangalore Civil Society is doing in attempting to hold the missing-government accountable - it just isn’t the kind of work that I want to do. Fighting for basic necessities (clean air, walkable footpaths, open public spaces, well-funded public transit) shouldn't be anyone's job in a city as large as Bangalore. I’m picking Exit (for now).
Why Berlin? Mainly because I have lots of friends there. Our immigration journey is still quite early, so maybe I can write about it when things have stabilized a bit. For now, if you have any Berlin recommendations or connections, please send them my way.
Published on December 12, 2025