American mom explains all the 'things India does better' than US: Are Indians convinced?
While many Indians often admire all things American and are quick to criticize our own education system and infrastructure, it's far less common to hear American admirers of India highlighting the country's strengths such as affordable healthcare, accessible public transportation, and the remarkable resourcefulness and the resilient spirit of Indians.
Kristen Fischer
, an American expat, who moved to India around 4 years back, has fallen in love with the country after an initial period of adjustment. From embracing a plant-based diet that comes with numerous health benefits to navigating the vast metro network of Delhi, Fischer is also slowly adopting the cultural nuances of the country. She is not only mastering Hindi, but also doing her own household chores, and even eating with her hands.
The mother of three who relocated to India in 2021 along with her family, is also of the firm belief that her kids would benefit a lot growing in India instead of the USA as being in India would help them get exposed to a rich diversity of culture, languages and custom, and also help them have a deeper understanding of familial connections as well as value gratitude, simplicity, and the importance of appreciating what you have.
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Originally from Colorado Springs, Fischer also runs a web development firm called SkyFish LLC.
In one of her latest Instagram posts, Fischer details a few practical things that India does well compared to other places:
Affordability of healthcare:
India's healthcare system is quite affordable. Medical costs are significantly lower in India, making healthcare accessible to many people.
Public transportation
: In many Indian cities, public transportation is very cost-effective and widespread.
The rail network is vast in India giving people affordable train travel across the country. Also, things like buses, autos, and metros make getting around efficient and inexpensive.
Food:
India is famous for its rich and diverse food culture. Food in India is not only flavorful but also incredibly affordable. It offers a wide variety of options that are all incredibly tasty.
Community support
:
Indian culture
places a strong emphasis on family bonds, community support, and social networks.
Often families live together providing a strong system of better emotional and financial support.
Resourcefulness
: Many people in India have a deep-rooted sense of frugality, resourcefulness, and sustainability. They regularly reuse, recycle, and repair items rather than discarding them, making them less wasteful.
Resilience
: Indians have a strong work ethic that emphasizes perseverance and resilience.
People in India are often highly adaptable and willing to work hard.
Celebrations:
India's rich culture comes with a variety of festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm. These festivals bring a sense of community, happiness, and inclusivity.
Low-cost education:
India offers highly affordable educational options, including universities and professional schools. Even prestigious institutions provide a high standard of education at a fraction of the cost of other similar institutions worldwide.
Efficient use of labor:
India's labor market tends to be more flexible and adaptable, with a greater availability of human resources for a variety of jobs at all skill levels. This has contributed to India's booming outsourcing industry.
Locally Sourcing
: In rural areas, many Indians practice sustainable farming and make use of organic, locally sourced food, and local businesses tend to operate on smaller scales.
What netizens think
While Fischer appears captivated by India and its rich diversity, netizens have mixed views about it. Some netizens applaud her for embracing and understanding the spirit of the country, while others criticize her for overlooking the everyday challenges many Indians face. A few have also questioned how she failed to acknowledge the issues of pollution and cleanliness.
"Education is not low cost, especially the private institutions," an Instagram user wrote.
"Our country looks so beautiful thru your eyes. I wish all Indians saw India the same way. Pls visit Mumbai, you'll love it too," wrote another one appreciating Fischer chose to highlight the positive side of India.
"Emm? There are several options for price in every sector you mentioned. Unfortunately, India has a teacher availability crisis because of low pay. Second, medical care beyond a consultation with a physician (primary or specialist) is not affordable.
So many bpl cancer, stroke, heart attack patients cannot afford to pay for their treatments and government hospitals are severely underfunded. We know you love India, but sometimes calling a spade, a spade is ok," another user wrote highlighting some 'real problems' Indians face.
"Practically you understood India very well ... And what is best is that you found so many positives here... That shows your positive and practical attitude towards life. Thank you for being in India," another user wrote.
"What about the dirt and pollution," one comment read.
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