The market’s spotless surroundings and neatly arranged stalls quickly caught the traveller’s attention, leaving him saying he felt “ashamed” when comparing it with the cleanliness of many vegetable markets back home in India. A vegetable market in Bhutan has left an Indian traveller surprised by its cleanliness, organisation and overall appearance, after a video showing the market went viral on social media. Travel creator Manjil Pokhrel, who shared the video on Instagram under the handle @manjilpokhrel69, filmed his visit to the market and compared the experience with vegetable markets in India. Scroll down to read more…
A 2011 account of Thimphu’s sabzi bazaar noted that local seasonal produce was sold on the upper floor, while many vegetables on the ground floor were imported from India. Because of the unusual comparison, the video has resonated with viewers partly. Because the video captures one traveller’s experience at one market, rather than establishing that Bhutan’s markets are universally cleaner than India’s, that response is important.
At one point, he says he is “ashamed as an Indian” after seeing the condition of the market. “Everything is so fresh, so hygienic,” he says while showing viewers around. “As an Indian… we really need to learn a lot,” he says in the video. The market has separate areas for different types of produce.He says the ground floor has both locally produced and imported vegetables, while the upper floor is dedicated to local produce, according to Pokhrel. At one point, he says it feels as though he is inside a mall or an expensive vegetable supermarket. others pointed out that clean and organised vegetable markets also exist in India While some agreed with Pokhrel’s criticism and said Indian markets could learn from Bhutan’s approach.
In the video, Pokhrel appears visibly surprised as he walks through the market. He points towards the clean floors, bright lighting and neatly arranged vegetables, while workers can be seen cleaning the premises. He also draws attention to children playing inside the market, something he appears to see as a sign of how comfortable and orderly the space feels. His larger point is about the contrast he perceives between the market he is visiting and the vegetable markets he has seen in India. The arrangement impressed him enough to compare the market to a modern supermarket rather than a traditional vegetable mandi. The market’s organisation and presentation appear to be what caught his attention most, from the way produce is displayed to the cleanliness of the common areas. Vegetable markets are generally associated with crowded lanes, vendors, carts and produce displayed in open spaces. Pokhrel’s video instead shows a more structured indoor environment, with clearly arranged stalls and maintained common areas. He repeatedly draws attention to the clean surroundings and the freshness of the produce. The video also shows children moving around the market, adding to his impression that the space is not simply functional but comfortable enough for families. The broader description of the market is not entirely new. Older accounts of Thimphu’s vegetable market also describe different floors being used for different types of produce. That gives some context to Pokhrel’s observations, although the current viral video should not be taken as a comprehensive assessment of every vegetable market in Bhutan. The video also sparked a debate among Indian viewers. Several commenters specifically mentioned Sikkim and other parts of Northeast India, suggesting that Pokhrel visit markets there as well. Still, the visual comparison clearly struck a chord. For Pokhrel, the surprise was not simply about vegetables. It was about seeing something as ordinary as a sabzi market presented in a way that, to him, looked closer to a modern supermarket. And his message was straightforward: if everyday public spaces can be kept this clean and organised, he believes there is something worth learning from them. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.