'Rs 1000 Daily Enough To Live In Metro Cities': Netizens React To American Influencer's Praise For 'Jugaad'
US influencer gets ₹40 shoes fixed in India, praises jugaad culture in viral video. Netizens call it the real India as her Hindi and desi pride win hearts online.
In a country where jugaad is practically a national superpower, a visiting American influencer has just become its biggest fan. Jessica Kumar, a US content creator living in India, has gone viral for her wholesome reaction to what most Indians see as ordinary — getting her expensive shoes fixed on the street for the price of a cup of chai.
"I paid $45 for these Converse and $60 for my Crocs in the US," she says in the now-viral Instagram reel. "Here in India, I got them both repaired for just ₹40," she exclaims in fluent Hindi, flashing a wide grin. She called India "the land of jugaad".
She recorded the entire experience as a humble street cobbler worked diligently to patch and polish her footwear, all while chatting with her like an old friend. The reel has already racked up thousands of views and counting... and the internet is in love.
Jugaad Genius: India’s DIY Culture Wows American Expat
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) June 30, 2025
Jessica Kumar has gone viral for praising India's unbeatable repair culture - where everything from sandals to gowns is reborn without breaking the bank. pic.twitter.com/nybLSY9Sn4
'This Is Real India'
Jessica's astonishment didn't just stop at the price — it was the attitude that moved her. "In the U.S., if something breaks, you throw it away. Here, you fix it," she says in the video.
For many Indians, the clip hit home. In the comments, users shared their own tales of childhood hacks, generations-old frugality, and how that old shirt or pressure cooker or umbrella still "somehow" works.
Netizens React: Pride, Nostalgia & Some Satire
While most praised the sentiment, some pointed out that jugaad was not necessarily repair. "Not technically jugaad but repair culture. That is one big thing in India- you can get everything repair/fixed and from just nearby. It's amazing. very sustainable," he said.
some pointed out that the "jugaad culture" was slowly disappearing from India's Metro cities.
Check out some of the comments below.
Another user said earning Rs 300-Rs 1000 daily was enough to live economically in Metro cities.
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