Travelling is not just about visiting places, and ticking monuments off a list, it’s about the people you meet along and the experiences you create. A viral video from Delhi proves exactly that. In a clip going viral on social media, a local rickshaw driver can be seen flipping his camera around to introduce his passenger for the day, a young guy visiting all the way from Italy. But that’s not what it is all about. What happens next will leave you surprised, in a good way because clearly the foreign guest looks amused.
The viral video
The rickshawpuller welcomes him in English; but the twist comes when he starts chatting in incredibly fluent Italian! You can see the unexpected surprise on the tourist’s face. Slipping effortlessly into tour guide mode, the driver breaks down their entire day’s itinerary in perfect Italian. Before the video ends, the driver switches over to English to ask how long his passenger has been in India. “Yesterday,” the tourist replies. Without missing a beat, the driver jokes, “You look clean!” This shows the genuine moment of connection that ends in shared laughter.
Meet Aslam Rikshawwala
Aslam Rikshawwala (@aslamrikshawwala) is a rickshaw puller in Chandni Chowk area. But he is not your regular rikshawala bhaiya but he gives people, especially foreign guests a perfect tour of the historic Chandni Chowk region. He is also a content creator with thousands of followers. His profile has several videos where he can be seen showing off his skills as a tour guide. He tells people stories, and must visit places in the region, where they can stop, walk and take pictures. His most recommended place in almost every video is the colourful spice market of Chandni Chowk.In other videos, Aslam can be seen speaking fluent German and Russian too, leaving his guests speechless with his language proficiency.
Atithi Devo Bhava
Moments like this capture the absolute best of Indian hospitality. There’s an ancient Sanskrit phrase, “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which basically translates to “the guest is God.” It sounds like a noble tourism slogan, but in India, you actually see it play out in real life.From five-star hotel managers to street food vendors and rickshaw drivers, locals routinely go out of their way to make outsiders feel at home. India can be an intense, chaotic place for a first-time visitor. But it’s this exact warmth and curiosity from everyday people that usually ends up being the highlight of the trip.Delhi being the capital of India, is generally the first stop for tourists from other countries. The city is dotted with some incredible historic places to visit which one can’t miss. And if watching this interaction gave you the travel bug, Delhi needs to be on your radar. Here are five places in the capital that totally live up to the hype:
6 must-visit attractions in Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb: Need a break from the crazy traffic? Start here. It’s a massive, incredibly well-kept 30-acre garden complex that feels worlds away from the city noise. Built before the Taj Mahal, its Persian architecture actually inspired the famous monument in Agra. Plus, the photo ops are fantastic.Qutub Minar: This 12th-century brick minaret towers over the city at 73 meters. This UNESCO World Heritage site has intricate carvings and a massive historical iron pillar that never rusts.Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: You can’t visit Delhi without experiencing this Sikh place of worship. It’s remarkably peaceful, immaculately clean, and echoes with live devotional music all day. Make sure you walk around to the Langar (community kitchen) in the back. Volunteers there cook and serve free, hot meals to thousands of people every single day, no questions asked.Red Fort: If you want a taste of Mughal royalty, this 1648 red sandstone fortress is it. Wandering through its old royal chambers and courtyards really makes you feel like you’ve time-traveled. Get there early in the morning before the massive crowds show up.Chandni Chowk: If you want to dive headfirst into the beautiful chaos of Old Delhi, just like the tourist in the video, hopping in a rickshaw through the lanes of Chandni Chowk is an absolute must. Khari Baoli: While you’re weaving through the crowds, make sure to check out Khari Baoli. It actually happens to be Asia’s largest wholesale spice market (yep, the exact mercato delle spezie the driver was hyping up). Trying jalebi and kachori for breakfast is one of the best experiences you can have.
