Move over, ‘Mini Paris.’ Step aside, ‘India’s Silicon Valley.’ A Canadian influencer who’s made India his home is calling out a long-standing habit that’s become second nature to many: slapping foreign labels on Indian cities and cultural institutions.
In a passionate and widely shared video, he argues that these comparisons—while often well-intentioned—actually undermine India’s rich, unique identity. From calling Bengaluru the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ to dubbing Tollywood or Kollywood as regional versions of Hollywood, he says such labels send a subtle but damaging message: that Indian achievements only matter when measured against Western benchmarks.
His message? Indian cities don’t need validation from abroad. They are brilliant, innovative, and beautiful on their own terms—and it’s time we stopped looking through a colonial lens to appreciate them.
Table of Contents
- The Viral Video That Sparked a Movement
- Why Foreign Labels Harm Indian Identity
- Common ‘Videshi’ Tags and Their Real Cost
- Embracing India’s Original Brilliance
- What Indians Are Saying Online
- Conclusion: Reclaiming Our Narrative
- Sources
The Viral Video That Sparked a Movement
The influencer, whose content focuses on travel, culture, and daily life in India, posted a short but powerful clip titled “India Doesn’t Need Foreign Labels.” In it, he walks through the bustling streets of an unnamed Indian city—perhaps Mumbai, perhaps Chennai—and asks: “Why do we keep saying this place is like somewhere else?”
He points out the irony: while the world increasingly looks to India for innovation in tech, cinema, cuisine, and spirituality, many Indians still feel the need to frame their own heritage through a Western mirror. “Bengaluru isn’t a copy of Silicon Valley,” he says. “It’s the birthplace of India’s digital revolution—with its own rhythm, challenges, and genius.”
The video quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking heated yet thoughtful debates across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube comments.
Why Foreign Labels Harm Indian Identity
At first glance, calling a city “India’s Paris” might seem like a compliment. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a legacy of cultural insecurity rooted in centuries of colonialism. These labels imply that local excellence isn’t enough—that something only becomes valuable when it resembles a Western ideal.
This mindset doesn’t just distort perception; it actively erases local history and context. For example:
- Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem grew from indigenous talent, government policy, and grassroots entrepreneurship—not by mimicking California.
- Kollywood (Tamil cinema) has been producing films since the 1930s, with its own storytelling traditions, music, and stars—long before global streaming made it “discoverable.”
- Jaipur or Udaipur aren’t “Indian versions” of European cities—they’re architectural marvels born from Rajput vision and Mughal synthesis.
As cultural anthropologist Dr. Priya Nair notes, “When we constantly compare, we teach our children that their native culture is secondary. That’s not pride—it’s internalized inferiority.”
Common ‘Videshi’ Tags and Their Real Cost
Here’s a look at some of the most common foreign comparisons—and what they overlook:
| Foreign Label | Indian Counterpart | What It Erases |
|---|---|---|
| “Silicon Valley of India” | Bengaluru | Decades of public investment in IISc, local startups, and Kannada tech communities |
| “Hollywood of the South” | Kollywood/Tollywood | Distinct narrative styles, mythological roots, and linguistic artistry |
| “Venice of the East” | Alleppey (Kerala) | Centuries-old backwater trade routes and Kerala’s unique ecology |
| “Paris of the East” | Pondicherry | Its complex Franco-Tamil fusion identity beyond just French architecture |
Each of these labels flattens rich, layered histories into simplistic soundbites—convenient for tourism brochures, perhaps, but harmful to cultural self-esteem.
Embracing India’s Original Brilliance
The solution isn’t isolation—it’s confident self-expression. India can—and should—celebrate its global connections without needing to be “like” someone else.
Instead of saying “Bengaluru is India’s Silicon Valley,” why not say: “Bengaluru powers 35% of India’s IT exports and is home to over 7,000 startups” ? Instead of calling Darjeeling “the Scotland of India,” highlight how its tea gardens pioneered sustainable agro-forestry in the Himalayas.
This shift requires rethinking how we talk about our own country—in media, education, and everyday conversation. For more on reclaiming cultural narratives, explore [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-cultural-identity].
What Indians Are Saying Online
The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. One user commented, “Finally! I’ve always felt weird calling my hometown ‘Little London.’ It’s just Coimbatore—and it’s amazing as it is.” Another wrote, “We export yoga, Ayurveda, and democracy’s largest experiment—but still act like we need a Western stamp of approval.”
Even educators and historians have joined the conversation, urging schools to teach local history with pride rather than through comparative frameworks.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Our Narrative
The Canadian influencer’s message resonates because it’s not about nationality—it’s about respect. He’s not an outsider lecturing India; he’s a resident who’s fallen in love with the country’s authenticity and wants to see it honored.
True confidence means celebrating Indian cities not as copies, but as originals. Bengaluru doesn’t aspire to be Silicon Valley—it inspires cities worldwide with its own model. And that’s worth shouting from the rooftops.
Sources
- Times of India: Canadian influencer slams ‘videshi’ tags for Indian cities
- NASSCOM: Bengaluru Startup Ecosystem Report 2025
- Interview with Dr. Priya Nair, Cultural Anthropologist, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)