‘India has given me more happiness than America’: US woman calls out online narratives showing only the ‘worst parts’

“Why do people only show the worst part of India?” the text on her video reads.

In the caption, Liliann asks why social media rarely highlights India’s sophistication and cultural richness, from Kerala’s serene backwaters and Bengaluru’s tech-driven lifestyle to Uttarakhand’s ancient Himalayan temples. She admits the country has its challenges, but insists that those shouldn’t define the entire nation.

She writes that travellers should showcase India’s beauty rather than perpetuate tired stereotypes. She says while the “bad parts” do exist, they shouldn’t eclipse everything else. “India has given me more happiness than I ever found in America… There is so much more to this beautiful country than what these viral videos show the world.”

She ends by inviting viewers to weigh in on why negative portrayals seem to dominate online conversations about India.

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A post shared by Sierra Liliann ॐ (@sierraliliann)

The video quickly drew a wave of reactions across social media.

A user wrote, “Honestly I would stay a million miles from this because the reason the dirt exists is because of unconscious capitalism of which these mass market brands and structures are the pinnacle.”

Another user commented, “Still many tourists have no idea that we have two island lakshadweep closer to Maldives and andman, we have desert in Rajasthan , himalaya . North east Indian states.”

A third person added, “India has many sides to it, as do most countries. But … of all the things to show off in India, you chose a shopping mall.”

A fourth individual commented, “Amidst all the unnecessary hate towards india… foreigners like you warm my heart.”