Indian woman living in US says she appreciates India more now—Internet divided

Manali, a Bengali based in the US, posted a video on Instagram highlighting several aspects of life in India that she believes make the country unique and memorable. From street food and rapid delivery services to neighbourhood festivals and community celebrations, she argued that India offers experiences that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Comparing delivery systems in India and the US, Manali noted that while deliveries in America often arrive on schedule, they rarely match the speed of India's quick-commerce services, where orders can be delivered within 10 to 20 minutes.

She also criticised the additional costs associated with food delivery in the US.

"Somehow the delivery fee, service fee, convenience fee, and tip cost more than the food itself," she said in the video.

Drawing a comparison between food experiences in the two countries, she remarked that eating a plate of panipuri in India can bring more "instant happiness" than spending USD 12 on a sandwich in the United States.

Manali also praised India's vibrant festivals, neighbourhood gatherings and cultural diversity, describing the country's charm as "chaotic perfection."

The video drew mixed reactions online, with many users debating her observations.

One user commented: "You do realize that 'abroad' is more than just the US, right? You have Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore and Australia, which have far better living conditions and infrastructure than India. They even have better infrastructure than the US."

Another user disagreed with her assessment, writing: "I think you are idealizing a version of India that really doesn’t exist. A lot of the points you mentioned may have been true for you, but they are not valid for every city in India."