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News18
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Gujarati Man, Sitting On Airport Floor, Enjoys Snacks; Video Sparks Debate Over ‘Civic Sense'
Last Updated: A video of a Gujarati man at the airport has provoked a discussion on civic duty. A video of a Gujarati man sitting on the floor at an airport and eating Khaman went viral on social media, with many questioning his lack of civic sense. But some also saw it as a touching reminder to be true to one's culture. The man, Hitesh Thakkar, an actor from Gujarat, was seen sitting on the airport floor, holding khaman, a common Gujarati snack, and a newspaper spread out in front of him. Some of his friends accompanied him. As per Thakkar, he and his friends were taking a flight from Surat, Gujarat, to Pattaya, Thailand. They laid a newspaper on the floor to eat the snack after his friends brought Khaman to the airport. 'We don't look at the place when it comes to eating. This is Surat Airport, and my friends got delicious khaman. We are sitting on the floor and eating before boarding our flight to Pattaya, Thailand," Thakkar said in the now-viral video. Watch the clip here: Proud of this Indian uncle who upheld his traditional diet and eating style in the airport gate before boarding flight to proud of your roots 💪 — V (@AgentSaffron) April 26, 2025 Shared on April 27, the video has garnered over 2.8 million views. The Gujarati man was commended for maintaining his 'traditional diet and eating style" in the video, which was posted on X. Not everyone shared that opinion; many referred to it as a civic failure. A user said, 'One of the reasons why we are getting hate internationally." 'Nope, this is not fine in a public place," an individual commented. 'Forget everything else, this is just so unhygienic!" another user stated. An angry user remarked, 'You can eat anything however you want in the comfort of your home but in public, there should be some civic sense." Some individuals related their personal stories, noting how they had also relished handmade foods like bhel as they waited at airports. First Published:


Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor enjoys Gujarati snacks on airport floor in viral video. Internet cannot decide how to feel
Gujaratis are known for carrying their beloved theplas , dhoklas, and khakhras while travelling across the world, because wherever they go, food must follow. While travelling and snacking mid-journey is one thing, sitting on an airport floor and eating is a whole different story. Recently, a video capturing this very scene of a Gujarati man sitting and eating Khaman on the airport floor went viral, sparking a heated debate online. While some viewers saw it as a heartwarming reminder of staying rooted to one's culture, others criticised it as a lack of civic sense in a public space. So, what exactly happened? #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" A viral video of a Gujarati man casually enjoying a meal while sitting on the floor at Surat airport has ignited a debate on social media about civic etiquette. According to the Indian Express, the man has been identified as Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar . In the now-viral clip, Thakkar is seen sitting cross-legged on the airport floor, with a newspaper neatly laid out in front of him holding khaman, a beloved Gujarati snack. He was joined by a group of friends, all seated comfortably around him, creating an unusual scene that has divided opinions online. They were all set to fly out to Pattaya, Thailand. The video was shared on X with the caption, 'Proud of this Indian uncle who upheld his traditional diet and eating style in the airport gate before boarding flight to Bangkok . Be proud of your roots.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo — AgentSaffron (@AgentSaffron) Internet divided The viral video led to a flood of mixed reactions online. Some users shared their own experiences, recalling how they too had enjoyed homemade snacks like bhel while waiting at airports abroad. A section of people defended the act, arguing that it was a matter of pride in Indian traditions and a rejection of the need to conform to Western expectations for acceptance. However, many others criticised the behaviour, calling it inappropriate for a public space like an airport. Several pointed out that while embracing traditional eating habits was commendable, doing so at boarding gates showed a lack of civic sense. Some highlighted that public spaces have rules that everyone must respect, and acting otherwise gives rise to negative perceptions about India's hygiene standards. A few harsh comments also mentioned that such actions contribute to India still being stereotyped as a "third world country," and sarcastically mentioned that eating food with hands off a newspaper on an airport floor was anything but "classy."


Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Gujarati actor seen eating on Surat airport floor before Pattaya flight. Viral video sparks debate
A video of a Gujarati man enjoying food while sitting on the floor of Surat airport has sparked a debate on civic sense. The man was identified as Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar by the Indian Express. In footage that has gone viral online, Thakkar was seen sitting on the floor of the airport with a newspaper spread out in front of him holding khaman - a popular Gujarati snack. He was surrounded by some friends, all sitting on the floor. Thakkar explained that he and his friends were flying to Pattaya in Thailand from Surat, Gujarat. His friends had got khaman to the airport, so they spread a newspaper on the floor to enjoy the snack. 'We don't look at the place when it comes to eating. This is Surat Airport, and my friends got delicious khaman. We are sitting on the floor and eating before boarding our flight to Pattaya, Thailand,' Thakkar said in the video. The video was shared on X by an account praising the Gujarati man for upholding his 'traditional diet and eating style.' Not everyone took that view, with many calling it a civic lapse. 'Missing upright civic behaviour is one of the reasons india is still seen as third world country. You want to use modern public transportation but act like its rules do not apply. It's very conflicting thought process. Individual don't decide this. There are rules,' one X user said in response to the clip. 'Not Indian culture, please stop promoting c*** like this, this is not how the world works. There is nothing to be proud about. Don't think many from Gujarat will agree with you, the rest of sane people are sitting quietly,' another wrote. 'You can eat anything however you want in the comfort of your home but in public, there should be some civic sense,' X user Sandeep added.


Mint
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Monk Ent CEO slams Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar for eating khaman on Surat airport floor: ‘Stop terrible manners'
Monk Entertainment CEO Viraj Sheth has hit out at Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar, saying that Gujaratis need to 'learn social etiquette and cues'. In the video, which has gone viral, Hitesh Thakkar is seen sitting on the airport floor and eating khaman, a Gujarati dish, with his friends. While eating, he says in Gujarati about holding on to his roots. Sheth shared this video and lashed out, saying that Gujaratis have the means to learn social cues. 'Gujaratis need to learn social etiquette and cues. We have the means and resources to learn it,' he said. The Monk Entertainment CEO further asked Gujaratis to get out of their comfort zone as the community has all the qualities to represent India at the global stage. 'Get out of your comfort zone and stop shoving terrible manners under the garb of being rooted. We have the business acumen, the street-smarts, and the work ethic to represent India at a global stage,' he said. A Gujarati himself, Sheth urged his fellow community people to try different cuisines while travelling abroad and open up their minds. 'Stop eating only gujarati food when you travel abroad. experience different cultures, cuisines, and traditions. Open your mind up. dress well. speak well. interact with people from all countries,' he said. 'Don't fall for this 'be proud of your roots' crap. you can be proud of your roots without having to be insecure enough to keep flaunting them everywhere,' Viraj Sheth added. Viraj Sheth's post has also sparked a debate on the comments section about the Gujarati community. While some agreed with the CEO, others supported Hitesh Thakkar. 'We gujjus are hard wired and we have a superiority complex too added with hard core religious beliefs in matters of food atleast, its all too much in the cerebellum to change in this generation, maybe GenZ onwards things will be easier,' a person said. 'This is where u need to fine people heavily for distorting public place sanctity,' another added. However, some users disagreed with this viewpoint. 'What's wrong with seating on the floor and having amazing dhoklas,' one of them commented. Another user pointed out that not just Gujaratis, Indians in general need to learn manners. 'Slightly Incorrect statement…..Indians have to learn etiquette n cues. Also, this behaviour would have triggered me n many more aside non Indians We need basic behaviour n patience training n should be called out or fined [sic],' the user said. In the video, Hitesh Thakkar is seen sitting on the Surat airport floor on newspapers and enjoying khaman with his friends. The actor was on his way to Pattaya, Thailand. First Published: 27 Apr 2025, 09:49 PM IST


Mint
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Gujarati actor enjoys ‘khaman' on Surat airport floor before boarding Bangkok flight, netizens react: ‘Not your home'
A video of Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar from Surat airport has gone viral on social media, sparking debate among netizens. The actor identified in the video was eating khaman on the airport floor with his friends, steps away from the boarding gate. In the video, newspapers were spread on the floor as the actor and his friends enjoyed khaman together. The actor was on his way to Pattaya, Thailand. Hitesh said in Gujarati, 'We don't see the place when it comes to eating. This is Surat Airport, and my friends got delicious khaman. We are sitting on the floor and eating before boarding our flight to Pattaya, Thailand,' Sharing the video, a user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 'Proud of this Indian uncle who upheld his traditional diet and eating style in the airport gate before boarding a flight to Bangkok. Be proud of your roots.' Soon after the video was posted, many identified the man as the Gujarati actor. The video quickly gained attention, leaving netizens divided about his behaviour. While some praised the actor for embracing his roots, some slammed him for his behaviour at the airport. Among them, a user wrote in the comments, 'I also proud of my eating habits and will encourage to do it. But, No this uncle is not doing good, it is this kind of encouragement which helps people us make bad. Do this at your home or at right place. Boarding gate is not your home and not a restaurant (sic).' 'The reason why Indian Passport ranking has dropped to 85,' added another. One more user commented, 'It's absolutely unhealthy to eat food (or even store food) directly from newsprint. That ink isn't very stable, and mixes with the food. All the best. Anyway, there is nothing traditional about eating out of newspapers. Newspapers are just about 400 years old, that too from Europe, and as any Sanatani will remind you, our traditions are 4000 years old.' Someone also said, 'Indianness of indians is biggest problem of very few Indians who travel with too much respect.! These uncles and aunties just make it harder for good people to stay respectfully.' First Published: 27 Apr 2025, 05:29 PM IST