Creating, Innovating, Building: 17-year-old entrepreneur sparks online storm with praise for India’s grind culture and entrepreneurial spirit
A teenage entrepreneur from Qatar has gone viral after relocating to India and sharing his admiration for the country’s high-energy, hustle-driven environment.
In a video that has sparked both praise and criticism, 17-year-old Mohammad Jueitem lauded India’s work ethic, saying it stood in stark contrast to the comfort and predictability of life in the Gulf, reported moneycontrol.com.
Jueitem’s video praising India’s tireless work culture and ambition sparked a heated online debate over privilege, tone, and perception.
Describing himself as an “international entrepreneur,” Jueitem said in the Instagram video, “In our countries, life is comfortable and predictable. But here, everything is different. Everyone is working tirelessly, and comfort doesn’t seem to exist.”
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Jueitem commended Indians for their discipline and drive, highlighting that many of the people he interacted with worked over 10 hours a day while speaking passionately about their goals.
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“They are not just surviving, they are creating, innovating, and building,” he said
Jueitem revealed that he and his team had come to India to work on a venture called COSMOS, which he described as having “a lot of room for growth” and the potential to “leave an impact.” He added that they hoped to draw inspiration from India’s dynamic atmosphere.
Praise and backlash collide as social media users debate privilege, intent, and portrayal of India’s realities.
While the video received applause from some quarters — with many praising Jueitem’s appreciation for India’s work ethic — others criticised the tone as patronising and out-of-touch. One Instagram user slammed the teen for “filming trash like it’s some shocking revelation,” and accused him of monetising poverty while pretending to admire it.
Another comment read, “After white saviours we have Arab saviours. Cool,” while one user pointed out, “India is more comfortable for you because of white privilege.”
Some defended Jueitem, commending him for stepping out of his comfort zone and recognising the strength of India’s people. Others urged him to highlight the country’s best aspects and to be mindful of context.
Despite the polarising reactions, the video continued to gain traction across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), fuelling a larger conversation on how India is viewed by outsiders, and the fine line between admiration and oversimplification.
