Indian vlogger claims India feels like a ‘scam’ after foreign trip, sparks debate
A viral post by an Indian vlogger compared travel abroad to India, saying daily chaos felt like scams.
An Indian vlogger has sparked widespread debate after posting a viral video on Instagram in which he claimed that returning to India after travelling abroad can feel like a “scam.” The video, shared by Deepak Samal, who goes by the handle @travelwithsamalvlogs, has already amassed more than 69k views and features a montage of his overseas experiences.

(Also read: Indian-origin vlogger faces backlash for calling Melbourne suburb ‘100% Indian’: 'Nothing to be proud of this')
His observations on travel abroad versus India
In his caption, Samal wrote, “Many Indians feel this after their first foreign trip, and there are some clear reasons behind it.” He listed issues such as expectation versus reality shock, smoother systems in other countries compared with India’s chaotic traffic and scams, respect for time abroad against the “chalta hai” attitude back home, corruption and hidden costs, and the lack of cleanliness and basic facilities.
Samal added, “Before travelling, you don’t have a comparison point and just accept things as normal, but after experiencing a different standard abroad, you start noticing the flaws here more intensely. But it’s also important to note that India feels chaotic but is deeply human—the warmth, jugaad, and diversity are unmatched.”
Take a look here at the clip:
Users divided over Samal’s remarks
The post quickly drew attention and sparked heated conversations in the comments section. One user wrote, “India is extremely good just for people who understand the game” Another said, “Instead of criticising, why not focus on fixing these issues? Constant comparisons do not help.”
A third user remarked, “No need to go far. Just go to Vietnam and you can find how clean the streets are. The effort is from citizens too. People in India need to unite and get their elected representatives to do their duty.” Another countered, “Every time I come back from Europe, the lack of discipline and corruption really frustrates me.”
One comment read, “He has simply said what many people think but hesitate to admit publicly,” while another user added, “This is exaggerated, India has made great progress in infrastructure and services in the last decade.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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