From a Single Taste to Transformation: How This Changed His Life Forever – Lessons India and Indians Can Learn to Build a Developed Nation
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"His life changed after tasting this." The video, titled Incredible Street Food in Mumbai, India, was from a channel called Max and Sidney (@maxandsidney).
A Lazy Sunday, A YouTube Video, and Some Thoughts on Mumbai
It was a lazy Sunday, and I found myself in the mood to relax, feeling like a couch potato. I was casually watching random videos on YouTube on my TV when a particular thumbnail caught my eye. The image showed a man holding a vada pav, with the caption stating, "His life changed after tasting this." The video, titled Incredible Street Food in Mumbai, India, was from a channel called Max and Sidney (@maxandsidney).
Intrigued, I clicked on the video and watched as these two travellers explored Mumbai's street food scene. Their journey began at CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai. Their first stop was to try the famous vada pav, often called the city’s staple snack. They then set out to visit Mumbai’s oldest pani puri centre but, unfortunately, could not get any. Instead, they had sev puri, another popular chaat item.
As they made their way to Crawford Market, they tried buttered sweet corn and, finally, ended their food tour with a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice. One thing that truly made me happy was hearing one of them say, "Since morning, we haven’t had a piece of meat, yet we are filling our stomachs with these amazing street foods." Throughout the video, they shared their personal views on the quality, taste, quantity, and affordability of Mumbai’s street food, appreciating how budget-friendly and satisfying it is.
However, beyond the food, I observed something else in the video—something that often goes unnoticed but is an everyday reality for us Mumbaikars. The chaos of the city was evident in the background: constant honking of cars, people rushing past, bikers riding recklessly, and an overall lack of patience. Even Max and Sidney commented once or twice about how fast-paced and loud everything seemed.
This made me reflect on how we Indians often lack patience and road discipline. We are always in a hurry, pushing others to move faster. Mumbai, the city of dreams, is a melting pot of cultures, aspirations, and opportunities. While it has many great aspects, there are also some drawbacks that we must acknowledge and work on. If we truly want to see India become a developed nation, we need to take responsibility and act sensibly.
While we take pride in our rich culture, delicious food, and warm hospitality, it’s also important to focus on improving basic civic sense, road discipline, and patience in daily life. Small changes in our attitude and behaviour can go a long way in making our cities more livable and welcoming for everyone, including visitors like Max and Sidney, who come to experience the best of Mumbai.
This video was not just about food for me—it was a mirror reflecting our way of life, our strengths, and the areas where we can improve. What do you think? Have you noticed similar things while watching travel vlogs about Mumbai or any other Indian city?
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