Cities of progress, homes of loneliness
By: Priyanka Saurabh
Millions of people live in metros, but most do not even know their neighbors. According to a survey, about 40 percent of urban Indians admitted that they feel lonely. This statistic shows that modern urban life may have given us material comforts, but it has weakened us emotionally and socially.
Technology has also increased this loneliness. Dependence on smartphones and social media has limited real human interaction. While traveling in the metro or bus, people often do not communicate with each other, but remain immersed in the mobile screen.
Urbanization has deeply affected India’s social life and human relations. It is not only a means of economic progress but also a social change that has changed the nature of our traditional relationships, trust and cooperation.
The pace of urban life, diversity of opportunities and easy access to services have certainly given new options to citizens, but at the same time this process has also been challenging human sensibilities and community relations.
The growth of cities brought people closer to opportunities such as education, health and employment. While earlier access to these facilities was difficult in rural India, urban areas made them easier. Metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata have world-class hospitals, universities and cultural centres.
These places not only provide services but also become platforms for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. This is why urban life is called the engine of modern India. Its residents come from different linguistic, religious and cultural backgrounds, which leads to the experience of diversity and develops a sense of tolerance.
Additionally, cultural richness and civic consciousness are strong in urban life. Activities such as art galleries, libraries, theatre, literary gatherings and mass movements have been the hallmark of cities. Whether it is the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata or the India Habitat Centre in Delhi—these spaces promote collective dialogue and creativity.
Additionally, the IT industry and startup culture in cities like Bengaluru have opened up new possibilities for professional collaboration and networking. Citizens also organise themselves and raise their voice for their rights and amenities. Examples of this are the campaigns against waste management and waterlogging by the Resident Welfare Committees of Gurugram.
But amidst all these positive aspects, urbanisation has another face, which points to a much deeper social crisis. The biggest challenge is the erosion of community bonds. While in villages there are strong ties between neighbours and relatives, people living in cities often experience a sense of alienation and distance. Gated societies and high-income colonies have fragmented social life. People become confined to their small circles and distrust of the “other” begins to grow. This trend weakens the spirit of collective trust and cooperation in society.
Another major problem of urban life is loneliness. Despite the crowd and busyness, people become personally isolated. Millions of people live in metros, but most do not even recognize their neighbors.
According to a survey, about 40 percent of urban Indians admitted that they feel lonely. This statistic shows that modern urban life may have given us material comforts, but it has weakened us emotionally and socially.
Technology has also increased this loneliness. Dependence on smartphones and social media has limited real human interaction. While traveling in the metro or bus, people often do not communicate with each other, but remain immersed in the mobile screen. This trend proves the observation of sociologist George Simmel in which he called modern cities a symbol of “loneliness in the crowd”.
At the same time, the congestion and scarcity of resources of urban life have also given rise to tensions and conflicts. Fights over issues such as water, electricity, traffic and parking have become common. In cities like Delhi, parking disputes often escalate to violence. Vehicle pollution and road accidents also add to the insecurity of civic life. Safe spaces for pedestrians are shrinking, thereby diminishing shared public life. This decline directly impacts social capital, because open and safe public spaces give rise to dialogue and cooperation among people.
Thus, urbanization has had a two-pronged impact on India’s social capital. On the one hand, it provided opportunities for education, health, diversity and cultural advancement, while on the other hand, it made relationships superficial, unstable and distrustful. In the pace of economic development, we left behind emotional and community life.
It is necessary that urban planning should not be limited to the physical structure but should also give place to the dignity of human relations and restoration of community life. We need public places where people can meet and communicate easily.
Residential welfare committees should not be considered only administrative units but should be made a platform for social gatherings and community festivals. Festivals, fairs and cultural programs should be promoted in cities so that people can come closer to each other. Along with this, policies for affordable and inclusive housing should be prepared so that class-based divisions can be reduced.
India’s future will undoubtedly be urban, but this future can be sustainable and prosperous only when urbanisation becomes a driver of not just economic but also social capital. We must ensure that the fabric of relationships is not broken in the race for development. Cities will become truly progressive only when they not only deliver prosperity and opportunities, but also keep alive the spirit of trust, cooperation and collective well-being.
(The author is a Research Scholar in Political Science)
