SRINAGAR: An Indian woman who recently returned from a 12-day trip to Switzerland has sparked discussion on social media after saying that India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, possesses natural beauty comparable to the European nation but falls short when it comes to cleanliness.
In a video posted on Instagram, Binny Sharma said her visit reinforced her belief that India has landscapes that rival some of the world’s most celebrated destinations, but added that maintaining cleanliness remains a major challenge.
“After spending 12 days in Switzerland, I just want to say one thing to Indians: our India is equally beautiful, especially Jammu and Kashmir. I won’t say it is exactly the same, but it is quite similar in many ways. The only thing missing is cleanliness,” Sharma said in the video.
She praised Switzerland for its well-maintained public spaces and said citizens there appeared to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
“Switzerland is extremely clean. People here take responsibility for keeping their country clean. I did not see even a single piece of paper lying around in Switzerland,” she said.
Drawing comparisons with her home region, Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir is endowed with numerous scenic destinations that attract visitors from across the country and abroad.
“If we keep our country clean, we are no less than any of the most beautiful countries in the world. I belong to Jammu and Kashmir, and even in Jammu, we have such beautiful spots. Kashmir, of course, has many breathtaking places as well. But the only thing missing is cleanliness,” she said.
The video, captioned “This is what I felt after spending 12 days in Switzerland,” quickly gained traction online, prompting a debate on public hygiene, civic responsibility and tourism infrastructure.
Many social media users agreed with Sharma’s observations, saying India’s natural attractions are often undermined by poor waste management and littering.
“India has everything, from mountains to rivers and forests, but we need to learn how to respect public spaces,” one user commented.
Another user wrote, “Kashmir is heaven, but cleanliness should be everyone’s responsibility.”
Several others said Sharma’s remarks reflected a reality that should encourage positive change rather than provoke criticism.
“People should not feel offended by this. She is saying the truth and it is something we all need to work on,” another comment read.
The video has since drawn widespread attention, with many users echoing the view that India’s scenic beauty can stand alongside leading global tourist destinations if accompanied by higher standards of cleanliness and public participation in maintaining civic spaces.
