‘Kya hai foreign?’: Indian vlogger’s blunt take on Hong Kong vs Indian cities’ cleanliness sparks civic sense debate

Samal highlights that India already has tall buildings, rivers, and greenery. What’s lacking, he points out, is a collective sense of responsibility. “The flowerbeds only have flowers, not discarded gutka packets… nobody has spat pan masala on them to change their colour.”

He emphasises that these aren’t massive issues, but they snowball into much bigger problems. “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 says.

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The video has struck a nerve with viewers. One user commented, “To those who say China has no freedom of speech… when your everyday needs are met — clean air, organized public transport, functioning infrastructure — the need to protest vanishes for most.”

Another added, “We’ve given too much freedom without accountability. There are no real penalties for lacking basic civic behaviour.”

Others chimed in with mixed feelings. “I was also disappointed when I visited Hong Kong,” a user wrote. “Felt nothing special. Same kind of malls. And yes, they also have narrow streets and visible poverty,” another person said.

But not everyone agreed. “Thoda sa nahi, bhot difference hai,” one viewer argued, pointing to differences in mindset, governance, and law enforcement.