Sridhar Vembu urges educated elite to reconnect with India through language and patriotism.

In a recent statement, Sridhar Vembu, founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, emphasized the importance of promoting and preserving Indian languages in professional and social settings. He urged professionals relocating for work to make an effort to learn the local language, whether it’s Kannada in Karnataka or Marathi in Maharashtra, highlighting that linguistic inclusivity is essential for cultural integration and community harmony. Vembu’s message goes beyond regional pride — it’s about strengthening India’s linguistic diversity in an era of globalized communication. He believes India’s true innovation lies not just in technology and entrepreneurship, but also in maintaining its cultural and linguistic roots. This call from one of India’s top tech leaders reflects a growing awareness within the corporate world — that language isn’t a barrier, it’s a bridge connecting businesses to people. 🌍🇮🇳

Sridhar Vembu, founder and chief scientist of Zoho Corp, has called on India’s educated elite to embrace regional languages and rekindle a deeper sense of belonging to the nation. He said India’s true development depends as much on patriotism as on economic progress. “We need, particularly among our educated elite, a sense that we belong to this nation. That patriotic spirit is essential. Without that spirit, development becomes meaningless,” Vembu said. Speaking about cultural and linguistic pride, the entrepreneur urged Indians to learn and respect local languages wherever they live. “Within Tamil Nadu, I speak Tamil as much as possible. And I tell people, if you are going to move to Bengaluru, learn Kannada. If you’re going to move to Mumbai, learn Marathi. All our languages are important,” he said. Vembu cautioned that globalization has made many urban Indians identify as “global citizens,” often detached from their roots, and emphasized the need to revive cultural consciousness. He added that the spirit of belonging remains strong in India’s villages and small towns but is diminishing among the urban elite. #zoho #marathi #tamilnadu #maharashtra #language #kannada #indianstartupnews

Zoho founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu urged India’s educated elite to reconnect with their roots and embrace local languages, calling it an act of true nationalism. He emphasized that India’s growth depends not just on economic progress but also on a deep sense of belonging and patriotic spirit. “We need our educated elite to feel connected to this nation — without that spirit, development loses its meaning,” Vembu said, noting how globalization has made many urban Indians identify as “global citizens” detached from their roots. He encouraged people to take pride in regional identities and languages: “In Tamil Nadu, I speak Tamil. If you move to Bengaluru, learn Kannada. If you move to Mumbai, learn Marathi. Every Indian language matters,” he said. #intendmarketing #banglore #mumbai #zoho #sridharvembu #tech #trending #explore #latest #viral #trendingnews #explorepage #indianlanguages #marathi #kannada

Zoho founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu urged Indian citizens to embrace local languages and regional identities as an expression of true nationalism. In an interview with MoneyControl on October 13, 2025, he reasoned that India’s development depends as much on patriotic spirit as it does on economic progress. “We need, particularly among our educated elite, a sense that we belong to this nation. That patriotic spirit is essential. Without that spirit, development becomes meaningless,” Vembu said in the interview, warning that globalisation had led many urban Indians to see themselves as “global citizens” detached from their roots. He said that people should learn and use regional languages when they move across states. “Within Tamil Nadu, I speak Tamil as much as possible. And I tell people, if you are going to move to Bengaluru, learn Kannada. If you’re going to move to Mumbai, learn Marathi. All our languages are important,” he said. Vembu remarked that India’s villages and small towns are still holding belongingness to their region, but it is increasingly fading among the urban elite. “If you see rural India, if you see our smaller towns, there is that sense of belonging to the nation. Unfortunately, it has gone missing in our hyper-educated elite. Because of exposure, we think, ‘I’m a global citizen. I’ll live wherever.’ That attitude has to change,” he said. “The reason Zoho exists is not because I’m a genius. It’s because our average employee feels that national spirit, that we have to build it for this nation, in this nation. That spirit is why Zoho is still ticking,” he said. Citing Japan, Korea, and China as examples where national pride and self-reliance have powered rapid development, Vembu said, “They developed because they had that spirit. Without that spirit, all these questions about growth or brain drain become meaningless.” #startuppedia #startupJourney #startupbusiness #startupnews #startup #sridharvembu #zoho #mumbai #bangalore

"Swadeshi Swag, Desh Ki Maang" Innovation, talent, and purpose don’t need to leave Indian soil to shine—they can power India’s growth, global recognition, and self-reliance. Today, more than ever, the call is clear: स्वदेशी अपनाओ, देश को मजबूत बनाओ। 🌿 Innovation with Purpose From Ritu Jain transforming banana and textile waste into ₹20 crore sustainable businesses, to homegrown tech platforms like Zoho challenging global giants, Indians are proving that creativity + purpose = impact. Innovation isn’t just profit—it’s empowerment, environment-friendly, and nation-building. 🏡 Every Home Counts Small choices matter. When every household chooses “हर घर में स्वदेश”, we empower local industries, create jobs, and boost entrepreneurship. Self-reliance is not rhetoric—it’s action: choosing Indian products, supporting startups, and investing in local talent. 🌏 Global Talent, Local Impact Indians contribute over $600B to the U.S. economy annually, yet policies abroad show the vulnerability of depending on foreign systems. Imagine if even a fraction of that talent, expertise, and wealth fueled India’s startups, MSMEs, and manufacturing. The result? Millions of jobs, stronger GDP, and reduced dependency. ⚡ The Wake-Up Call Global politics, visa policies, and diaspora challenges show one thing clearly: India must be strong enough that talent doesn’t leave in search of opportunity—but instead, the world comes to India for it. A self-reliant, innovative, and globally competitive India is not optional; it’s necessary. 💡 The Path Forward Empower homegrown innovators and socially-conscious entrepreneurs. Build systems that nurture talent, retain brainpower, and reward innovation. Make Indian products, tech, and services synonymous with quality and global excellence. Swadeshi Swag isn’t nostalgia—it’s strategy. Desh Ki Maang isn’t rhetoric—it’s responsibility. Let’s make India a nation where innovation thrives, talent stays, and opportunity is boundless. 🇮🇳 #SwadeshiSwag #DeshKiMaang #AtmanirbharBharat #InnovationWithPurpose #MakeInIndia #LocalFirst #GlobalTalent #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship #WakeUpCallForIndia

In a recent interview with Moneycontrol, Zoho's founder and Chief Scientist, Sridhar Vembu, emphasized the importance of embracing regional languages and identities as a form of true nationalism. He urged individuals relocating to states like Karnataka or Maharashtra to learn Kannada or Marathi, respectively, to better integrate into the local culture and contribute meaningfully to the community. Vembu criticized the Indian elite for their detachment from local realities and their preference for foreign languages, which he believes undermines national cohesion. He pointed to countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China, where national pride and self-reliance have driven rapid development, suggesting that India should adopt similar approaches to foster unity and progress. This call aligns with Vembu's broader vision of a "Swadeshi movement" in India, advocating for self-reliance in technology and trade. He has been actively involved in initiatives like Arattai, a secure messaging platform developed by Zoho, and has encouraged the government to ensure that intellectual property generated within India remains under national control. Vembu believes that promoting local languages, culture, and self-reliance is essential for India's long-term growth and for cultivating a sense of pride and responsibility among its citizens. #StartupOriginals #SridharVembu #Bengaluru #Mumbai #Zoho #Karnataka #Maharashtra #Kannada #Marathi

Swadeshi Swag, Desh Ki Maang Innovation, talent, and purpose don’t need to leave Indian soil to shine—they can power India’s growth, global recognition, and self-reliance. Today, more than ever, the call is clear: स्वदेशी अपनाओ, देश को मजबूत बनाओ। 🏡 Every Home Counts Small choices matter. When every household chooses “हर घर में स्वदेश”, we empower local industries, create jobs, and boost entrepreneurship. Self-reliance is not rhetoric—it’s action: choosing Indian products, supporting startups, and investing in local talent. 🌿 Innovation with Purpose From Ritu Jain transforming banana and textile waste into ₹20 crore sustainable businesses, to homegrown tech platforms like Zoho challenging global giants, Indians are proving that creativity + purpose = impact. Innovation isn’t just profit—it’s empowerment, environment-friendly, and nation-building. 🌏 Global Talent, Local Impact Indians contribute over $600B to the U.S. economy annually, yet policies abroad show the vulnerability of depending on foreign systems. Imagine if even a fraction of that talent, expertise, and wealth fueled India’s startups, MSMEs, and manufacturing. The result? Millions of jobs, stronger GDP, and reduced dependency. ⚡ The Wake-Up Call Global politics, visa policies, and diaspora challenges show one thing clearly: India must be strong enough that talent doesn’t leave in search of opportunity—but instead, the world comes to India for it. A self-reliant, innovative, and globally competitive India is not optional; it’s necessary. 💡 The Path Forward Empower homegrown innovators and socially-conscious entrepreneurs. Build systems that nurture talent, retain brainpower, and reward innovation. Make Indian products, tech, and services synonymous with quality and global excellence. Swadeshi Swag isn’t nostalgia-it’s strategy. Desh Ki Maang isn’t rhetoric-it’s responsibility. Let’s make India a nation where innovation thrives, talent stays, and opportunity is boundless. #SwadeshiSwag #DeshKiMaang #AtmanirbharBharat #InnovationWithPurpose #MakeInIndia #LocalFirst #GlobalTalent #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship #WakeUpCallForIndia

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀. The launch of Arattai reflects that spirit. A homegrown platform gaining such momentum shows how far India has come in building its own digital ecosystem. In just a few days, it saw a hundredfold increase that briefly made it the top app in the country. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. When I first bet on the internet in the 1990s, the possibilities were uncertain, but the conviction was clear, that technology would eventually reach every Indian and change how we live, learn, and transact. Three decades later, that conviction is being realised every day. 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Technology today is enabling livelihoods and ideas from every corner of the country. This moment is about India’s growing place in the digital world. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Arattai is a small but meaningful step in that direction — part of a larger story being written from India. #DigitalIndia #Innovation

🇮🇳 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞: 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗢 𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗜 𝗠𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗠 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗨𝗣 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗥𝗨 𝗕𝗬 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🔥 India has now become: The 2nd largest market for Anthropic’s Claude 𝘈𝘐 💻 The #1 country for technical usage, with over 50% of Indian users using Claude for coding, debugging, and product design 🤝 A key partner in building ethical and inclusive 𝘈𝘐 systems This is more than a corporate expansion — it’s a powerful sign that India’s developer community and data diversity are central to shaping the global 𝘈𝘐 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 📢 From Tamil Nadu’s initiative to share anonymized data for 𝘈𝘐 training to Punjab’s 𝘈𝘐-powered healthcare and language learning — 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 is happening everywhere. ✅ The message is clear: 𝘈𝘐 isn’t just coming to India — India is co-creating 𝘈𝘐 for the world. 🌟 If you’re passionate about this 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and want to stay updated with India’s startup, 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, and 𝘈𝘐 ecosystem 👉 Join “The Bharat Project” by YourStory on WhatsApp for curated insights, founder stories, and opportunities from the heart of India’s tech movement. 🚀 📲 Join Here — https://lnkd.in/dbQ85Uau #ArtificialIntelligence #IndiaAI #YourStory #BharatProject #TechInnovation #𝘈𝘐𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 #ClaudeAI #Anthropic #DigitalIndia #PMModi #𝘈𝘐𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 #StartupsOfIndia #𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘉𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵 #𝘈𝘐𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 #𝘈𝘐𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 #MakeInIndia #𝘈𝘐𝘌𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘴 #𝘈𝘐𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘈𝘭𝘭 #TechForGood #𝘈𝘐𝘐𝘯𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢.

🇮🇳✨ RETHINKING ATMANIRBHARATA: A Reply to Tanay Pratap ’s Vision for Digital India I recently watched Tanay Pratap’s compelling video on how India can become self-reliant in software. LINK to the youtube video : https://lnkd.in/dStfYcXB It was a powerful call to action — one that every young Indian in tech should hear. 💻🔥 So here’s a short summary of his vision, and then — a pivot to what I believe is the next crucial debate. 🧭 🚀 The Vision: India’s Digital Self-Reliance (The Technical Case) Tanay’s core argument is clear — 👉 India has both the capability and the momentum to be a global software superpower. 🌍 💪 Capability & Momentum: Our developers are already writing code that powers the world. We’ve proven our edge in homegrown tech — from UPI to 4G. There’s a visible shift toward using Indian products — like the Railways Ministry adopting Zoho Mail. 🧩 These examples show one thing: India doesn’t just consume innovation anymore; we create it. 🎯 The Challenge: Tanay proposes something bold yet achievable — For students to kickstart this movement by creating a domestic competitor to Airbnb ( and other exsisting gaints ) in other sector. 🏡✈️ A challenge not just of coding, but of courage — to build something that scales, sustains, and inspires. 🌱 The Impact: Building a project of this scale isn’t a far-fetched dream — it’s technically feasible for today’s college students. If executed well, it can: 💼 Create massive employment opportunities 🏢 Build one of India’s largest companies 🔥 Spark a generation of student-led innovation ✅ The message is loud and clear: “Instead of just talking about it — let’s build it.” 🧠 The Pivot: The Foundational Mismatch But before we build the code… we must ask: 💭 Does our culture allow the coder to innovate? Because technical progress cannot exist without cultural readiness. We’re trying to solve high-tech problems while being held back by low-trust systems. We talk about “startup ecosystems,” but ignore the “mindset ecosystem” that fuels them. ⚖️ The Deeper Truth: The debate shouldn’t stop at coding skills. It must start with healing the fundamental cracks in our system — 🏫 From the Compliance Trap in our colleges 🏠 To the Status Obsession in our homes Because… 💡 Building great software is impossible without first building a great culture. 🔍 The Real Question: Do you see this foundational misalignment as the biggest bottleneck to realizing India’s true technical potential? 🇮🇳 I’ll soon be posting my multi-point argument on this “Mindset Mismatch” — and how we can fix it together. 👉 Follow this space for the detailed breakdown and practical takeaways. #AtmanirbharBharat 🇮🇳 #MindsetShift #InnovationCulture #TanayPratap #DigitalIndia #IndianYouth #TechForGood #CulturalChange #BuildIndia