Travel influencer Shashank Gupta is standing by his review of the Vande Bharat Express food, despite facing a wave of online criticism. Gupta’s review, which compared the train’s food to that of a five-star hotel, has sparked controversy and accusations of bias. He addressed these concerns in a recent statement, emphasizing that his feedback was genuine and not influenced by any political or external factors.

Food Praise, Triggers Public Backlash

Gupta, who recently traveled on the new Udaipur-Agra Vande Bharat Express, had praised the food served on the train in a post on X (formerly Twitter). His review highlighted a breakfast tray with poha, cutlets, aloo sabzi, paranthas, curd, namkeen, and a Choco-Pie dessert. Gupta described the meal as comparable in taste to five-star hotel fare, a comment that quickly drew criticism from the public.

Today I traveled in train no -20981 Udaipur Agra Vande Bharat express from Udaipur to Agra and the food in this train was no less than any five star hotel in terms of taste.
Thankyu @RailMinIndia @IRCTCofficial @AshwiniVaishnaw @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/gFOh5QJN4H

— Shashank Gupta (@shashan0058641) September 2, 2024

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Critics questioned the authenticity of Gupta’s review, with some suggesting that he might have been paid to provide positive feedback. Comments like ‘If this is 5-star food then I’m Shahrukh Khan’ and ‘Tell me you’ve never been to a 5-star without telling me you’ve never been to a 5-star’, another user wrote ‘Where does this food taste like five-star quality?’. In response to the backlash, Gupta took to social media to clarify his position.

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In his follow-up posts, Gupta repeated that his review was based solely on his personal experience. He acknowledged that while the food might not match the standards of a luxury hotel, he found it to be a notable improvement over typical train meals. Gupta reassured his followers that his review was unbiased and not influenced by his role as a travel influencer or any external pressures.

Vande Bharat Review Sparks Credibility Debate

Gupta’s clarification aimed to clear any doubts about his review and emphasize the importance of honest feedback. He urged critics to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to name-calling. The influencer’s defense underscores the ongoing debate about the credibility of online reviews and the impact of influencer opinions on public perception.

The truth behind my Vande Bharat Express Food Review pic.twitter.com/OlSOAgmetm

— Shashank Gupta (@shashan0058641) September 3, 2024

The Vande Bharat Express, a high-speed train launched by Indian Railways, aims to offer improved travel experiences, including better food quality. Gupta’s review, while polarizing, highlights the broader discussion on the evolving standards of train travel and the role of social media in shaping public opinion.

As the debate continues, Gupta remains firm in his stance, committed to providing authentic and personal insights to his audience. His experience serves as a reminder of the challenges influencers face in maintaining credibility and navigating public scrutiny.

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