In India’s fast-growing cities, high-rise societies have become the face of modern living. Gleaming towers promise comfort, security, and convenience. But behind the bright lights and polished walls, many residents say life inside these gated communities can feel lonely. A viral video of a woman sharing her personal experience has struck a chord with thousands online. She spoke about how her excitement of moving into a tall building quickly turned into disappointment, comparing the silence of society life to that of a museum and even calling it a jail. Her words have opened a debate on whether urban development is slowly erasing the warmth of neighbourhood bonds.

Mohalla Vs Societies: The viral video

In the clip, the woman said she once believed that living in tall buildings would be comfortable and exciting, but her views changed after shifting there. “These tall buildings look good from a distance, but after living here it feels more like a jail,” she said, adding that even after four years, she did not know who her neighbours were or when they came and went.

Missing neighbourhood bonds

She recalled that in her earlier neighbourhood, neighbours would often visit, sit for hours, and share tea and conversations. “Neighbours would come over, sit for hours and have tea with us. Street vendors selling utensils, ice cream or kulfi kept the area lively. Children played cricket in the evening, and even came home to ask for water,” she said. According to her, those noisy and crowded moments now feel precious compared to the silence of her current society.

Silence over connections

The woman described the silence in her building as “so much that it feels like a museum.” She added that even if neighbours make eye contact, interactions usually end with a short chat at the gate. “No one is interested in making relationships here. Relatives too have stopped visiting,” she said.

Everyday challenges

She also mentioned the absence of simple joys. “Sometimes it rains, and I wish we had a roof to get drenched. But here we avoid it because we have to go down by lift and return upstairs with wet clothes,” she said. Inside the society, she added, conversations are often limited to complaints about water supply, parking or maintenance.

Social media reaction

The video has been widely shared, with many users saying they related to her words. Some commented that they too missed the warmth of old neighbourhoods, while others argued that gated societies provide safety and better amenities even if social bonds are weaker.

"About neighbours: completely agree with her. Even if you try to introduce yourself, they get uncomfortable and stiff. No idea why people in apartments are so hostile. They have their own groups but they don't open up to others readily," commented one user.