A Canadian tech influencer, who has called India home for the past eight years, has ignited a significant online debate by challenging the widespread practice of labeling Indian cities and landmarks with derivative names from the West. Caleb Friesen specifically called the popular moniker 'Silicon Valley of India' for Bengaluru "illogical," arguing it overlooks the city's own unique geographical and cultural identity.
The Case Against Comparative Labels
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Friesen began by highlighting a common trend among travel vloggers and content creators. He pointed out how they frequently describe Indian landscapes as the 'Switzerland of India', the 'Scotland of the East', or 'Mini Europe'. He extended this critique to the naming conventions of India's entertainment industries, such as Bollywood, Tollywood, and Pollywood, which are directly inspired by Hollywood.
"Another example of this is Silicon Valley," Friesen stated in the video. "Bengaluru could have chosen the Aerospace Plateau because the city is literally built on the Deccan Plateau. It's the opposite of any valley but they call it the Silicon Valley of India, which is illogical." His argument centers on the idea that such comparisons diminish the intrinsic value and distinct character of Indian places.
Viral Video Sparks National Conversation
The video, shared on platform X (formerly Twitter), resonated deeply with many users, triggering a broader conversation about colonial mentalities and the quest for external validation. Friesen also commended Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal for a recent interaction where Goyal asserted that India needs to be its "original self" rather than seek replicas of Western figures. "More people need to have this mindset," Friesen said. "India is not X of Y, India just is. That's it. Period."
The clip included an example of the annual phenomenon where the bloom of pink trumpet trees in Bengaluru leads influencers to compare the city to Japan's cherry blossom season, further illustrating his point about derivative descriptions.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The online response to Friesen's perspective was largely supportive, with users agreeing on the need for authentic appreciation. One user commented on the need for better infrastructure and promotion of India's own beautiful places. Another pointed to a history of mental colonization, while a third user remarked on a "psyche programmed to hate our culture and encouraged to seek external validation."
This discussion taps into a larger, ongoing dialogue about post-colonial identity and cultural confidence in modern India. It questions whether global benchmarks, while useful for certain comparisons, should be the primary lens through which Indian achievements and landmarks are viewed and celebrated.
The debate raised by Caleb Friesen challenges content creators, marketers, and the public to consider if the true potential of India's diversity can only be realized when it is described and celebrated on its own unique terms, free from the shadow of foreign analogues.
