Australian Woman Highlights Positive Side of India’s Street Cleaning Culture Amid Tourist Criticism

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Tuesday, 28 October 2025

An Australian traveler shared an Instagram video showcasing early morning street cleaning in Rishikesh, India, challenging common negative portrayals by tourists on social media. She criticized those who focus solely on India's dirtiness for social media attention, emphasizing the country's diversity and ongoing sanitation efforts. The video sparked discussions appreciating the nuanced perspective on India’s cleanliness and complexity.

An Australian woman posted a short Instagram clip filmed in Rishikesh showing a sanitation worker cleaning a street drain early in the morning. Accompanying the video was text pointing out that many tourists post videos emphasizing India's dirtiness but often ignore the daily cleaning efforts. In her caption, she criticized tourists who highlight only negative aspects of India for shock value and social media likes, while acknowledging the real challenges India faces with waste management. She stressed that India is a large and diverse country where conditions vary, citing Rishikesh as an example of a clean area. The post resonated online, with many commenters appreciating the balanced view and expressing gratitude for highlighting positive efforts. Some noted that only those who travel beyond major cities truly understand India’s complexity, while others suggested such positive portrayals are often overshadowed by negative viral content. The story sparked broader conversations about the representation of India’s public sanitation and waste management on social media platforms.