A foreign tourist named Damon Zumbroegel from California, who frequently visits India and shares his experiences, faced criticism after making a negative remark about India at Delhi airport.
Damon Zumbroegel shared a video on X. In his video, he shows the immigration area at Delhi airport. Posting the footage on X, he wrote, “WELCOME TO INDIA? This is how one enters India in Delhi. The welcome to all visitors. Immigration......then....‘BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!’ Not even 5 feet from immigration.” He added that it was a real video of immigration in Delhi.
The footage shows travellers with luggage standing near what appears to be retail and currency-related counters at the airport. His remarks quickly attracted attention.
Netizens react over his India remark
As soon as the video surfaced online, it took the internet by storm, and Zumbroegel's post was flooded with netizens' reactions.
Criticising his India remark, one netizen strongly pushed back against the criticism. Responding to Zumbroegel, X user AshofJedi wrote, “Stop hating, mate. Have you been to Australian airports or so many other airports in the world? It's the same in Sydney, Melbourne, etc. Just because it's India, you have to take a video and put your rant on X.”
Chairperson of the RPG Group, Harsh Goenka, wrote, "At most of our airports, as you clear immigration and walk through the duty-free area, salespeople swarm around passengers, aggressively pushing products. Surely we can do better. Let’s give passengers a dignified, hassle-free entry into our country @RamMNK."
Rupesh Prabha Pandey wrote, "Every place has its own merits and demerits Sir. I have visited few places and I am of the opinion that Immigration booths in Asian countries are certainly more friendly and faster. People in European countries behave as if they are doing a favour to us and sometimes ask insulting questions. I have more gratitude now for fellow Indians at Airport services after few of these experiences."
Another user wrote, "Maybe they do to some people, but honestly, sir, I haven't seen any sales guy coming to me trying to sell anything. Yes, if I stay put at a duty-free shop, a salesman will walk over to me and ask if I need help. Which I find is a courteous transaction. Respectfully disagree with your comment."
The user further accused the tourist of viewing India through “racistglasses” and urged him to “grow up and see the world” before criticising the country.
About Damon Zumbroegel
Damon Zumbroegel is originally from Lake Tahoe, California. Damon Zumbroegel is a global architect, humanitarian, and former Buddhist monk known for integrating ancient construction techniques with modern architectural designs. He currently serves as the Principal at Vihara and actively documents his architectural philosophies, travel, and lifestyle on his social media account. He split his youth between the inner-city streets of San Francisco and the mountains of Lake Tahoe, developing a deep appreciation for both urban and natural structures.
