An Indian travel vlogger shared a video titled “Sad to see Hong Kong,” where he offered a sharp take on why cities abroad often feel more “developed” than those back home. It has since gone viral on social media.
Sharing the video on Instagram, vlogger Samal walks along a pristine riverside in Hong Kong while calling out the real difference, civic sense.
“Kya hai foreign? Kuch bhi nahi hai foreign mein (What is so significant about foreign countries? They have nothing). If we want to turn our cities into this, we can do so very easily. All we need is support from the government and people. We have got it all – tall buildings, greenery, and rivers,” he says in the video.
According to him, the missing piece is basic public discipline. “The only difference is cleanliness and civic sense. The roads here are clean. The flowerbeds only have flowers, not discarded gutka packets. Nobody has spat pan masala on them to change their colour. Nobody plucks flowers or steals plants,” he remarks, pointing to spotless pavements and neatly maintained flower beds.
Samal further articulates how the rivers in Hong Kong are free from plastic waste and garbage. “This is all a foreign country has, and we pay so much to come here. We could replicate this at home by learning from these countries. These might not seem like big issues but such small actions are pushing India back. We are just as capable,” he concludes.
Watch the video here:
Social media reactions were quick to pour in. “Cleanliness and perfection in infrastructure are major factors,” a user said, while another added, “I wish this could be replicated in India, but we have no civic sense. We are too busy fighting over caste, religion, and language to focus on such issues.”
A section of the internet agreed with his observation, while others pointed out their own experiences. “I agree with you as I was also disappointed visiting Hong Kong. Felt nothing wow about the place. Similar malls. And they do have gallis with people who are poor too,” said a user.
See the comments here:
Samal’s video had the internet talking about why India’s urban spaces struggle with basic civic discipline despite having the potential to rival global cities.
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