New Delhi: A British Indian traveller is deeply disillusioned after spending three years in India.
Sharing his observations in a post on Reddit, the traveller criticised India’s infrastructure, civic sense and tourist experiences, comparing those unfavourably to nations like Vietnam and Thailand.
“India is a dump, and Indians objectively treat it like a dump,” the user wrote, highlighting issues like poor roads, crumbling infrastructure, widespread filth and a lack of civic responsibility among citizens.
“For the fifth wealthiest economy, with nearly 1.6 billion people and a quite clearly astonishingly rich elite class; this is no excuse,” wrote the traveller who began his journey during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, motivated by a deep sense of wanderlust.
Criticising the state of heritage sites, the Reddit user pointed out neglect and vandalism.
“Graffiti, yellow spit and rotting food soil the architecture that Indians claim to be so proud of,” he observed, adding in dismay that even basic explanations about historical sites attract additional charges at places.
“Hotels, even of a basic standard, in areas where property sits for $300 a month are charging their firangi tourist customers a whopping $30-$40 a night,” he wrote.
Comparing India to Vietnam, his current base, the traveller lauded commended Vietnam’s well-maintained streets, reliable taxi services, and high-quality food, which was a relief for him following the experience in India.
“I’m just done with India, and trust me, I tried to give it a chance,” the traveller wrote.
“As a British Indian myself, I really wanted to love India – I can’t,” the user added.
He does not regret his travels, but has no plans to return.
The detailed post triggered a debate online, some agreeing with the criticisms and others defending India by citing its progress post independence.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in India both travelling and working and I absolutely see where you’re coming from. I’ve been to almost a hundred countries and there isn’t other one that gives me the love/hate like India does. It’s a complicated mess with the best and worst of humanity existing shoulder to shoulder,” reacted one user.
Another responded: “Love and hate, polarizing, highs and lows, peaks and troughs. Mountains and valleys. Yes, indeed, all part of the daily experience in that maddening country. One of the best trips I ever took, really grateful to have experienced it in my formative years. India is where I learned to recognize when the situation dictates turning my logical brain completely off and accept things for how they are. If the restless crowd says one plus one equals fish, I wholeheartedly agree!! That ability has served me well across the whole planet at various times. Also taught me to be, depending on your outlook, extremely Zen or one cold, heartless prick when it comes to organized/persistent begging/hawking trinkets. Walk straight past with purpose do not make eye contact. Do not let emotion flit across your face. Do not acknowledge.”
One X user noted, “India is a country of cultural and developmental extremes. You’ll see an extremely developed nation in Mumbai, but an extremely backward culture in a small village not very far from it.”
“Vietnam Per Capita GDP 4,346.77 USD, India Per Capita GDP 2,484.85 USD,” remarked one user.
Another person said, “It seems to have become a trend for some expats to criticize everything about India while portraying life outside Asia as flawless. Reality, however, is far more nuanced.”
