City Lights vs. Mountain Heights: IIT Alumnus Sparks Debate on Success

Pearl Doshi - Gujarat Bureau Jul 14, 2026 1,800 Views

Arjav Modi, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, has sparked a viral debate after sharing his transition from a high-paying, ₹40 lakh annual job in Bengaluru to a simpler life in a mountain village. He argues that urban environments often foster damaging comparisons, while his current, slower lifestyle makes him feel optimistic.

A viral LinkedIn post from an IIT Kanpur graduate contrasting a high-paying Bengaluru career with a slower life in the mountains has ignited a national conversation about professional fulfillment.

NEW DELHI — In a reflection that has resonated with thousands of professionals across India, Arjav Modi, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, recently shared his personal transition from a lucrative urban career to a simpler existence in a small mountain village. His post, which went viral in mid-July 2026, challenges the traditional metrics of success that often equate high annual packages with personal happiness.

The Bengaluru Benchmark

Modi’s comparison begins by painting a picture of a 27-year-old "successful" professional living in Bengaluru, earning an annual package of approximately ₹40 lakh. In this scenario, life includes the comforts of a three-bedroom apartment, daily taxi commutes, and the convenience of quick-commerce grocery deliveries.

However, Modi observes that this environment—often populated by exceptionally young, high-achieving peers—can foster a subtle but corrosive sense of inadequacy. "You see super young people around you. You feel that your best years are gone," he wrote, describing how the relentless pace and constant comparison to 21-year-old prodigies led to feelings of loneliness and the belief that he was falling behind in life, despite his financial success.

Finding Clarity in the Mountains

In contrast, Modi describes his life after relocating to a mountain village, where he resides in a modest one-bedroom home and earns less than half of his previous Bengaluru salary. His daily routine has shifted from high-speed urban convenience to slower, intentional activities like walking, riding a scooter, and picking up fresh vegetables at sunset while spending time with his partner.

Perhaps more importantly, he notes a shift in his social ecosystem. Surrounded by neighbors in their thirties and older who are settled and content, Modi reports feeling "welcomed and comfortable" rather than pressured. "You feel that your best years are actually ahead of you," he wrote, concluding that his surroundings have fundamentally altered how he thinks and functions.

A Broader Conversation on Perspective

The post has drawn mixed reactions, triggering a debate on whether happiness is a product of geography or internal mindset. While many users lauded Modi’s perspective on gratitude and the importance of escaping the "comparison trap," others cautioned that happiness is ultimately an internal state and that cities like Bengaluru offer professional opportunities that smaller towns cannot replicate.

Modi clarified in follow-up responses that his intention was not to advocate for a mass exodus from cities. Instead, he encouraged professionals to recognize that the "ecosystem of expectations" in high-pressure hubs often dictates one's perception of achievement. By stepping away from environments that glorify early, rapid success, he suggests that individuals can find a more sustainable and fulfilling path.

Source: