A woman living in Noida has sparked a discussion on loneliness in high-rise residential societies after sharing her experience of living among hundreds of people while having limited interaction with neighbours. Her Instagram video has resonated with social media users who said large apartment complexes can feel isolating despite being densely populated.
Namita Shukla spoke about the lack of meaningful interaction among residents, saying people living only a few metres apart can remain largely disconnected from one another.
A post shared by नमिता शुक्ला (@millennial_moma)
‘Behind these buildings, there is only loneliness’
In her video, Shukla said high-rise societies may have numerous towers and residents, but that physical proximity does not necessarily create a sense of community.
“These high-rise buildings have a lot of loneliness. There are towers, it's a society, because a community is made so that people don't feel lonely. But behind these buildings, there is only loneliness and hollowness,” she said.
She also described how residents may remain indifferent to the people living directly opposite them.
“No one pays attention to anyone, no one talks to anyone. The guy living in the flat opposite to you, whether you are alive or dead, it doesn't matter to him. This is completely true,” Shukla said.
She suggested that residents should try to build a small support network within their residential society.
“Just make two or three friends with whose support you can live your life here, otherwise life will become a living hell here,” she added.
Social media users relate to her experience
The video prompted several users to share similar observations about life in large apartment complexes. One person wrote, “This is sadly so true,” while another commented, “Loneliness feels different here.”
“So many people, yet so alone,” another user wrote, capturing the contrast between crowded societies and limited social connections. A fourth user said, “This is the reality for many.”
Another commenter wrote, “I can co-relate with you.”
Others pointed to a different experience of apartment living. One person commented that their neighbours were “constantly obsessed” with them, highlighting how interactions between residents can vary significantly across housing societies.
Crowded societies, limited connections
Shukla’s remarks highlight the contrast between physical closeness and social connection in high-rise residential communities. While such societies can bring hundreds or thousands of people together in the same complex, residents may still have little meaningful interaction with one another.
Her suggestion to develop a small circle of dependable friends also became part of the discussion, as users shared their own experiences of loneliness, companionship and relationships with neighbours.
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