Kolkata – A recent video by a travel vlogger duo in Kolkata has reignited debate over the hygiene of Indian street food after they refused to eat a plate of dahi puchka due to unsanitary preparation.

The clip shows the couple stopping at a local stall to try Kolkata’s famed dahi puchka. Their enthusiasm quickly turned into concern as the vendor handled ingredients with bare hands and used visibly unclean containers. Once served, the tourists appeared hesitant and ultimately threw the plate into a dustbin, with one saying, “I can’t risk my life, unfortunately.”

The vlogger added in his caption, “I normally love pani puri, so I decided to try Dahi Puckha. But after seeing how it was prepared, I couldn’t bring myself to eat it. We even tried to give it away to avoid waste, but no one wanted it. The man, however, was absolutely lovely.”

The video has since sparked a larger conversation about hygiene and urban sanitation in India, particularly in cities that claim rapid modernization. Critics argue that while India projects an image of fast-paced development on the global stage, the ground reality remains deeply troubling, with streets filled with garbage, foul odors, and a lack of basic civic amenities.

This isn’t the first time such issues have been highlighted. Prominent Indian figures have repeatedly drawn attention to the country’s sanitation and urban decay. National badminton champion P.V. Sindhu has urged authorities to improve cleanliness in public spaces, while industrialist Anand Mahindra has called India’s waste management system “shameful” and demanded strict action. Social activist Medha Patkar has also raised alarms about the safety of public areas for women, urging immediate reforms.

In a related viral clip, members of a foreign women’s cricket team, reportedly from Kazakhstan, were seen walking through piles of trash on Indian streets, visibly uncomfortable. The players covered their noses due to the stench, while Indians criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making grand promises of development yet failing to provide a clean and safe environment for visiting teams.

Observers note that India’s grand claims of development stand in sharp contrast to the visible filth and administrative negligence on its streets. Urban mismanagement and the lack of safety for women have become glaring symbols of systemic failure, raising serious questions about the country’s international image.

Analysts believe that until India addresses these basic civic and hygiene challenges, its aspirations to host major global events, including the Olympics, will remain far from reality.

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