While filming foreign tourists casually walking through Sri Lanka’s remarkably clean Ella railway station, travel vlogger Shenaz Treasury made one brutally honest remark that instantly split the internet: “Let’s face it. We are the dirtiest country.”
In the now-viral clip, Shenaz documents her visit to the famous Ella railway station in Sri Lanka, a location popular among international travellers for its scenic train routes and relaxed backpacker culture. The video shows large numbers of foreign tourists walking around the station premises, taking photographs and waiting for trains in a visibly clean and organised environment.
As she walks through the station filming the surroundings, Shehnaz points towards the tidy premises and the tourist-friendly atmosphere before making a blunt observation.
“Let’s face it. We are the dirtiest country,” she says in the video.
Watch the clip here: India Is Completely Lost... pic.twitter.com/5LOc68x3MY — Dr Ranjan (@DocRGM) May 26, 2026
The remark quickly spread across social media platforms, especially X, where users began debating whether India’s cleanliness issues are hurting tourism and the country’s global image.
Many users agreed with Shenaz’s statement, arguing that littering, poor civic sense and lack of maintenance continue to remain major problems across several Indian tourist destinations. Some people pointed out how even historically and naturally beautiful places in India often struggle with garbage accumulation, overcrowding and poor sanitation facilities.
Several users also compared tourist behaviour in India with that seen abroad, saying public spaces are often treated carelessly despite repeated cleanliness campaigns.
However, not everyone agreed with the vlogger’s sweeping statement.
Many social media users pushed back strongly, arguing that it was unfair to generalise an entire country. People cited several clean Indian cities and tourist destinations, including parts of Indore, Mysuru, Gangtok and parts of the Northeast, where cleanliness standards are often praised by travellers.
Others argued that comparing a smaller tourism-focused destination like Ella directly with densely populated Indian cities was not entirely fair.
Still, the viral video has reignited a familiar conversation online, whether India’s biggest tourism challenge is not a lack of beauty, but the everyday civic habits that shape how visitors experience the country. - Ends
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