Alcohol Addiction & Mental Trauma Turned This Bengaluru Techie Into A Beggar, Netizens Extend Helping Hand

According to the man, his troubles began after the loss of his parents, which triggered a destructive spiral into heavy drinking. The addiction eventually stripped him of his livelihood and dignity.

A tragic tale from Bengaluru has gripped social media, highlighting the devastating effects of unchecked alcohol addiction. Once a thriving tech professional, a man now roams the streets of the city as a beggar, his story becoming a stark reminder of how life can unravel. This riches-to-rags tale surfaced when Instagram user @sharath_yuvaraja_official shared a series of three videos showcasing the man’s plight.

Donning a red T-shirt and visibly unkempt, the man claimed to have been an engineer employed by a prestigious tech consulting firm at the Global Village Tech Park (now Sattva Global City) near Mysuru Road. Once a symbol of success in Bengaluru’s booming IT sector, his career took a sharp downward spiral after he left his job.

What Was The Reason For His Downfall?

According to the man, his troubles began after the loss of his parents, which triggered a destructive spiral into heavy drinking. The addiction eventually stripped him of his livelihood and dignity, forcing him to beg for survival. Social media users were quick to express concern and empathy, with reports stating he was first spotted on JSS College Road in Jayanagar 8th Block. Days earlier, someone had seen him in Jayanagar’s 4th Block, allegedly intoxicated. Offers of help were reportedly declined by the man.

In later videos, the man’s disjointed ramblings took on a philosophical and intellectual tone. He spoke about topics ranging from meditation to David Hume’s philosophy, Albert Einstein’s theories, and even brain structures like the hippocampus and amygdala. While his fragmented thoughts reveal glimpses of his once-sharp intellect, they also underscore the depth of his tragic decline. In one of the three videos, he talked about visiting Frankfurt in 2013 and reflected on how his life had unfolded since then. 

Sharath, the individual who posted the videos, has been sharing updates on the man’s situation, including attempts to connect him with an NGO for support. However, in a subsequent video, a doctor clarified that NGOs would not be able to assist the man without prior involvement from the police.

Netizens React

Netizens were saddened to hear about the misfortune of such a sharp mind. A user while commenting on the videos said, "Sad to see his talent getting wasted!"

A user while empathising with the man wrote, "He needed family. But now he needs a help home where he can consider himself useful, worthy. He needs to be needed."

Another user wrote, "This is very sad...such a highly educated person and see what had the trauma done to him..hope he gets the treatment and gets cured soon... can't any NGO help him....if not family where are his friends and peers."

A user extended a helping hand and wrote, "We at Kap Infinity are ready to offer him a job. If there’s anyhow we can get in touch. Let me know."

Some users were commenting on the girl in his life and blamed her for this condition of the former techie.