YouTuber Benjamin Rich, aka Bald and Bankrupt, has been facing backlash on his return to India after six years. His new video, titled ‘I Visited India So You Don’t Have To,’ offers a glimpse of his journey in Delhi and Kolkata. Rich starts his adventure with a rickshaw ride to Paharganj and makes a sarcastic comment about changes in the capital city since his last visit. While he appreciates the kindness of the Indian people, in the 50 minute long video, he majorly shows dirty trains, potholes, trash on streets and noisy roads. He describes India as ‘the most frustrating place to travel’ and advises Westerners to avoid the trip unless they are experienced travellers. This has led to mixed reactions, as many viewers are accusing him of showing only the negative side of the country for views.
He starts the video saying, “When I started this YouTube channel in 2018, I flew to India to make my first ever videos. Well 6 years later, I’m back a little bit fatter to see how things have progressed in Hindustan." On his first day in India, the YouTuber decides to explore Paharganj. There, he interacts with many locals, shakes hands and even meets some of his subscribers. He later says, “This trip I mean it’s kind of inevitable but I want to put off the illness as long as possible is lots of bloody Dettol hand wash. I keep shaking people’s hands so you’ll see me doing this a lot."
After his adventures in Delhi, ‘Bald and Bankrupt’ travels to Kolkata on a general coach train. During the ride, he shows the trash and the loud passengers, claiming he won’t be getting much sleep. Upon arriving in Kolkata, he focuses on the less glamorous side of the city, which has left the internet, especially Indians irked.
Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “That man is getting a permanent visa ban in India for sure."
Another shared, “This guy literally made his career in India and when he is down he is back at it. Keep going baldy."
“I don’t understand all the hate towards the people. Get out of the cities and into the countryside and it’s beautiful and the people are great. Everywhere is what you make it," a comment read.
Another wrote, “Showing the worst of India in order to get the most anti-India engagement? Obviously. It’s funny how this guy went from milking views from Indians at the start of his vlogging journey to now the best India haters."
An individual shared, “Going to a bizarre bar where even I won’t go just to show this is all you get in India. I hate this man at this point."
One more added, “Him going to the absolute worst areas, deliberately trying to show the worst things possible to proclaim India a failed state. That doesn’t seem right, especially compared to his old videos about India itself."
Justifying his views about India, Benjamin Rich shares that parts of the country struggle with serious issues, such as terrible air pollution and trash thrown into rivers. He mentions seeing rats in the capital and trash everywhere, along with constant noise and traffic jams. He also points out the bad infrastructure and lack of green spaces for families to enjoy. While he once found India exciting, he now feels frustrated by these problems and appreciates his life in Europe more. He highlights that his comments are not against the people, as he still finds them friendly and fun.
Since Bald and Bankrupt shared the video on YouTube, it has garnered over 7 lakh views.
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