A short video on Instagram has captured the hearts and smiles of countless viewers across India, presenting New York's iconic Times Square in a refreshingly unexpected light. The clip, which has rapidly gained traction, shifts focus from the world-famous neon billboards and towering skyscrapers to a scene that feels intimately familiar to many Indians: the vibrant, everyday hustle of street vendors and stalls.
From New York's Glitz to Delhi's Hustle
The video was shared by user Sheena Dalal Bisla. As she walks through the heart of Manhattan, her camera deliberately avoids the typical tourist shots. Instead, it pans across jackets hanging on racks, winter caps neatly stacked on carts, toys laid out for display, and food stalls buzzing with customers. This ground-level perspective of Times Square, showcasing its informal economy, struck an immediate chord.
Many Indian viewers were quick to comment that the scene vividly reminded them of shopping in Delhi's crowded markets like Palika Bazar or Sarojini Nagar. The energy, the setup, and the very nature of the commerce felt uncannily similar, despite being separated by thousands of miles.
"Times Square or New Delhi?" A Playful Caption Sparks Global Connection
Sheena Dalal Bisla amplified this connection with her witty caption: “Times Square or New Delhi? Indian roadside sales energy going global.” This playful question perfectly encapsulated the sentiment of the video, inviting viewers to see the universal language of street vending. The response was overwhelming, with numerous users agreeing that the core spirit of these vendors—adaptable, resilient, and customer-focused—is remarkably alike whether in Connaught Place or at the crossroads of the world.
Instant Relatability: How Indian Instagram Users Reacted
The comment section flooded with relatable and humorous responses from the Indian audience. One user noted, “This honestly looks like Palika Bazar on a winter evening, just with taller buildings in the background.” Others joked that their well-honed bargaining skills from Indian markets might just be effective in New York too. A key observation that emerged was how vendors universally adapt to their environment—catering to tourist crowds, seasonal demands, and local foot traffic, be it in Delhi or Times Square.
The Universal Language of Street Markets
This simple yet powerful video underscores a fundamental truth: the ecosystem of street markets and small-scale sellers is a global phenomenon. From the lanes of Delhi to the plazas of New York, vendors intuitively respond to the same rhythms—offering warm jackets in winter, setting up food stalls near busy intersections, and displaying toys where families congregate. It serves as a poignant reminder that beneath cultural and architectural differences, the dynamic pulse of street-level entrepreneurship and daily life shares a common energy across continents.
What makes Sheena's video stand out is its sheer simplicity and its ability to forge an instant, emotional connection. By framing one of the world's most commercialized landmarks through the lens of everyday market life, it highlights a shared human experience that transcends geography. The video doesn't just show Times Square; it reveals the familiar, comforting chaos of commerce that makes cities feel like home, no matter where you are.
Disclaimer: The video referenced in this article was shared on social media by the user and reflects their personal experience and observations. This publication is not responsible for the accuracy of claims made in the user-generated content.
