The viral video of Gujarati actor Hitesh Thakkar eating khaman on the floor at Surat Airport sparked considerable debate over proper public conduct and civil awareness. The video has been circulated widely over different social media platforms, and reactions to it have been mainly mixed among the viewers; some are defending Thakkar's action as a manifestation of cultural pride, whereas others have criticised it as a sign of disrespect towards public spaces.

The Video That Went Viral

The video features Thakkar and his friends sitting on the floor of the airport terminal surrounded by newspapers laid out in front of them. They can be seen savouring khaman, a Gujarati snack, before their departure to Pattaya, Thailand. Thakkar discusses the experience nonchalantly, as follows: “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.”

The video was originally posted by an X user with the handle @AgentSaffron, who captioned the post, “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.”

However, the video soon generated conflicting views on the web. Some viewed the act as charming and evidence of cultural pride, while others were more harsh, believing the act of dining on the floor in an airport terminal was inconsiderate and lacked civic sensibility.

Defending the Actor's Actions: A Display of Cultural Pride

Supporters of Thakkar's actions argue that the actor’s decision to eat khaman in a non-traditional setting is a testament to his pride in his cultural roots. They pointed out that eating on the floor, especially in India, is a common and cherished practice in many households, as well as an important part of Gujarati culture. For them, it wasn’t about the setting but about enjoying food in a manner that was true to their customs.

A user named @AgentSaffron defended Thakkar’s actions, saying, "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." This comment highlighted the importance of maintaining cultural traditions even in public settings, with the idea that such actions should be celebrated rather than criticised.

The Counterargument: A Lack of Civic Sense

On the other hand, much of the online community criticised the action, citing issues with public decorum and hygiene. Critics felt that consuming food on the floor of an airport terminal, a public area with a high volume of traffic, could create hygiene problems and inconvenience other travellers. Most questioned the decency of the act, particularly in a public area such as an airport, where cleanliness and respect for other travellers should be the priority.

One user commented, “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.”  This remark summed up the concerns about public spaces being treated with greater consideration for hygiene and respect for others’ comfort.

Another user criticised the lack of decorum, saying, “What a waste fellow. He belongs to the 75% Indians who are uncivilised.” This comment reflects a broader criticism of the perceived lack of civic sense in some public spaces in India, which is often seen as an obstacle to better public decorum.

The Cultural Clash: The Fine Line Between Tradition and Public Behaviour

The controversy surrounding Thakkar's video also points to the collision between traditional cultural habits and modern assumptions about behaviour in public places. Eating on the floor represents an established tradition of the Gujarati community in India, yet some modern airport protocols may not consider it a suitable cleaning and decorum standard.

As India continues to modernise and globalise, these types of cultural practices often clash with new standards of public behaviour. While some defend the right to maintain traditional habits, others argue for a greater emphasis on adapting to new settings in order to foster respect and civility in shared public spaces.

Debate on Civic Sense

This event has followed up on an even larger discourse on civic sensibility and public behaviour. Can people be allowed to practice their cultural traditions, even in open spaces like airports, or ought they to fall in line with global standards of hygiene and comportment? This debate represents the tension between the pride of one's culture and the evolving norm of public behaviour in India's rapidly modernising society.

While the Surat Airport video of Hitesh Thakkar consuming khaman on the floor has gone viral, it has also posed significant questions regarding civic sense, respect for public places, and the balancing act between tradition and modernity in Indian public life.