ATTARI, INDIA – A video captured by a Russian tourist expressing dismay at widespread littering during the iconic Wagah Border ceremony has gone viral, reigniting discussions about public cleanliness and national pride in India.
The incident occurred on September 26, 2025, during the daily Beating Retreat ritual at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab. The tourist filmed Indian spectators discarding snack wrappers and plastic cups in the stands, despite the highly patriotic atmosphere of the event. After she posted the clip on social media platform X, it quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views and sparked significant commentary.
The 45-minute ceremony, a coordinated display by the border security forces of India and Pakistan, has been a tradition since 1959. It regularly draws large crowds who gather to witness the synchronized marches and nationalistic fervor.
The viral video underscores the persistent challenge of littering at public gatherings, even as India’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) celebrates achievements like the construction of over 11.5 crore toilets and improved waste management systems.
Reacting to the video, one X user, THE SKIN DOCTOR, captured a common sentiment, writing: “India isn’t even her country, yet she feels bad, while Indians, sitting at Wagah border of all places, where national pride should come naturally, throw trash without a second thought.”
The incident highlights the gap between infrastructure progress and ongoing issues with public behavior, suggesting that the mission’s goal of changing habits remains a work in progress.
