India is one of those places on earth that is valued for its unity in diversity, a living mosaic of cultures, places and a tireless driving force of development that goes beyond even the comparison of two regions. For too long people have labeled his jewels with foreign slogans like “The Switzerland of India” or “Silicon Valley in India“, as if they needed a global scale to shine.This habit often obscures what makes India truly special as a unique, effortless combination of history, diversity and dynamic growth.A Canadian who has called India home for eight years recently spoke about this unfair attitude towards prominent Indian places. His words remind us that validation doesn’t come from copying something; Instead, India’s true magic lies in embracing its own identity.
Canadian influencer living in India criticizes “Videshi” tags for Indian cities (Photo: (Instagram/@caleb_friesen)
The Canadian criticizes the fact that people compare India with foreign places
Caleb Friesen, a Canadian influencer who has been living in India since around 2017, responded to X with a video in which he pointed out the “illogical” trend of comparing Indian spots with foreign ones. He criticized travel vloggers for labeling and comparing places as the “Switzerland of India”, “Scotland of the East” or “mini-Europe”, arguing that these tags made India seem more like copies than originals. Friesen went far beyond monikers like Bollywood and Tollywood, saying they are unnecessarily chasing the shadow of Hollywood. “Bro, you gotta stop in the forest,” he remarked, pointing to South Korea’s independent naming as a better example.He based his post on Bengaluru’s tag “Silicon Valley of India” and said the city lies on the Deccan Plateau, “the opposite of a valley”. Friesen contrasted this with China’s Shenzhen, which bears his own name. “I just think more people need to have this mindset. India is not X of Y. India just is,” he urged, adding, “This country is spectacular. It is unique.”
Why this video was widely shared on social media
Friesen’s message hit home because it speaks of the urge for self-pride. He referred to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s response to a fan who wanted a “Bryan Johnson replica in India”, with Goyal emphasizing originality. It’s not just about tourism; It is a call to appreciate India’s tech boom, its diverse geographies and its cultural depth without foreign crutches.
Social media gets emotional
Users flooded Friesen’s post with support. One wrote: “Well, India shouldn’t compare everything with one. India is great in its own right, with a huge population.” Another said: “It’s a shame that this has to come from a Canadian, but that’s not a bad thing because unfortunately some Indians don’t take up an idea until non-Indians approve of it.”A third wrote: “Finally someone said it. We need to own our identity and not cling to Western validation.” A fan added: “Well said @caleb_friesen. India needs to up its PR game. India is so much better than the mood outside. So much potential and talent everywhere.”One user noted a downside: “India has many beautiful places. But due to poor infrastructure and lack of promotion of these places, we never get to see such places that exist in India.” Others blamed colonial thinking: “Indians were first colonized by British for 200 years and then mentally colonized us for another 100 years.”
