‘India Made Me Happier Than America’: US Traveller Breaks the Internet With Her Honest Take
A US woman travelling through India has sparked a buzzing online conversation after she uploaded a video pushing back against the idea that the country is all chaos, crowds, or underdeveloped spaces.
Sierra Liliann filmed herself inside a lively mall and spoke openly about why many outsiders fail to notice India’s modern, comfortable and culturally vibrant side. In the clip, she strolls past well-known global brands and says, “You can have a luxurious time in India as long as you don't come here and act all broke… Look at this place. Like, they have everything.”
She points to stores like H&M, Birkenstock, Adidas, and Bath & Body Works, mentioning that she had just enjoyed a full-body massage for only $4.
The text on her video asks: “Why do people only show the worst part of India?”
Watch the viral video:
In her caption, Liliann questions why social media rarely highlights India’s sophistication and cultural richness — from Kerala’s serene backwaters and Bengaluru’s tech-driven lifestyle to Uttarakhand’s ancient Himalayan temples. She acknowledges the country has its challenges, but says those shouldn’t define the entire nation.
Liliann writes that travellers should showcase India’s beauty rather than repeat tired stereotypes. She notes that the “bad parts” do exist but shouldn’t overshadow everything else. “India has given me more happiness than I ever found in America… There is so much more to this beautiful country than what these viral videos show the world.”
She ends by inviting viewers to share why negative portrayals seem to dominate conversations about India.
The video quickly drew a wave of reactions across social media.
A user wrote, “Honestly I would stay a million miles from this because the reason the dirt exists is because of unconscious capitalism of which these mass market brands and structures are the pinnacle.”
Another user commented, “Still many tourists have no idea that we have two island lakshadweep closer to Maldives and andman, we have desert in Rajasthan , himalaya . North east Indian states.”
A third person added, “India has many sides to it, as do most countries. But … of all the things to show off in India, you chose a shopping mall.”
A fourth individual commented, “Amidst all the unnecessary hate towards india... foreigners like you warm my heart.”