In a powerful and reflective social media post, a Canadian tech influencer who has called India home for nearly a decade has declared his move as one of the best decisions of his life, while challenging negative portrayals of the country by some foreign content creators.
A Counter-Narrative to Negative Portrayals
Caleb Friesen, in his final video of 2025, addressed a trend he has observed. He pointed out that numerous foreign nationals visit India and produce content based on a preconceived "narrative" that predominantly showcases the country in an unfavorable light. Friesen specifically called out travel influencers for often focusing solely on disarray and squalor.
"They concentrate on things that are broken, messy, and dirty," Friesen stated in the viral clip. He argued that this persistent storytelling paints a picture of India as merely a "dirty, stinky country," which, in his view, misleadingly frames the nation as an "underpriced asset" and overlooks its monumental transformation.
Celebrating India's Meteoric Growth and Tech Surge
Moving beyond criticism, Friesen dedicated his message to highlighting the profound progress he has witnessed firsthand since moving to India eight years ago. He drew a sharp contrast between the India of the 1990s and early 2000s and the dynamic nation of today.
"There has been so much progress," he emphasized. The influencer passionately spoke about the rapidly expanding technology sector, the robust and growing economy, and the continuously evolving business environment. Friesen expressed a firm belief that he is situated in a region poised for explosive change in the coming years.
"I think I have found this part of the world that's going to change so much in the next decade," he remarked, underscoring his optimism about India's future trajectory.
Public Reaction and Viral Impact
The video, shared on December 31, 2025, resonated widely, quickly amassing over a hundred thousand views and sparking diverse reactions from the online community. Many users echoed his sentiments, sharing their own experiences of India's rapid development.
One user commented on the visible changes, stating, "I go to India twice a year and each time I'm like whoa that's new... I do understand how it is a total shock for a first-time traveler." Another viewer thanked Friesen for his "positive influence" and "constructive criticism," noting that his articulate perspective inspires locals as well.
While the majority of responses were supportive, the clip also prompted some skeptical views, with one user pessimistically suggesting that real change is hindered by societal attitudes. Nonetheless, Friesen's primary message of acknowledging India's complex reality while celebrating its undeniable advancement struck a significant chord, offering a nuanced perspective from a long-term foreign resident.
