British YouTuber declares India 'most frustrating place to travel'

A recent video uploaded by British YouTuber Benjamin Rich has sparked widespread outrage among Indian citizens, with many expressing disappointment and anger over his harsh critique of the country.

Bald and Bakrupt, who visited India after a six-year hiatus, aimed to assess the nation's progress but was left disillusioned.

In his video titled "I visited India so you don't have to," Rich showed the country's infrastructure woes, including potholed roads, unsanitary environments, and overcrowded streets in Delhi and Kolkata.

He also shared his unpleasant experience travelling on Indian trains, highlighting dirty compartments and loud passengers in general coaches.

"Surely there must be some improvements in the last six years. Judging by the traffic, not too many," he said in the video.

The travel vlogger termed India "the most frustrating place to travel" and warned viewers to "not attempt to do this trip yourself unless you are a professional traveller". 

The YouTuber's personal experience has ignited an online debate, with many accusing Rich and other foreign YouTubers of deliberately portraying India in a negative light to tarnish its image.

Critics argued that Rich's video focused solely on the country's shortcomings, neglecting its cultural richness, diversity, and progress. 

Indian citizens flooded the comments section of the video to express their discontent.

"I called India a failed state because to me it is in many parts. A country that has awful air pollution. Rubbish that is thrown directly into rivers ( 58% of Delhis rubbish goes straight into the Yamuna River ). Where I saw rats everywhere in the capital city. Where trash lies everywhere. Where noise pollution is ubiquitous. Where traffic is at a standstill. Where people spit constantly in public places. Where infrastructure cannot cope with monsoon rains although the government knows it will happen every year. Where the air often stinks of ammonia because people just piss anywhere and everywhere. Where there are no green spaces for pleasant quiet walks with your family. Where apartment buildings are filthy and falling apart," the YouTuber wrote in the comments section. 

"I said in the video I had changed in six years and that includes my feelings towards all that stuff. In the past I saw it as a exciting and interesting but I suppose as I grew older I'm now disgusted more and more by such things and appreciate my life in Europe more than ever. Anyway no hate towards the people of India who as always I found fun and friendly," he added.