Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu: India must 'build, build and build' to earn global respect

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has called on India to focus on developing its own talent, businesses and technology, saying the country will earn true respect globally by building on the abilities of its people.

His remarks came in response to American investor and podcaster Eric Weinstein, who raised concerns about growing hostility towards India, Indians, Hindus and Indian-Americans on social media. In a post on X, Vembu said India should respond to racism by focusing on development rather than hatred. He also said the country's progress should not depend on which political side is in power.“Until India develops, based on the talents of our own people, we will not find true respect in the world, no matter whether right, left or center is in charge anywhere,” Sridhar Vembu wrote.Eric Weinstein, an American investor and mathematician, wrote on X that he was seeing growing hatred towards India and its people without any reason. “Seeing a lot of growing raw hatred against India, Indians, Hindus, Indian-Americans, etc. for no reason.Would be happy to have anyone who feels that hatred quietly unfollow me. Simple. Clean. Thanks in advance,” he wrote.His post drew attention to the hostility faced by Indians and people of Indian origin, including those living in the United States.

Why Sridhar Vembu says India must focus on building

Responding to Weinstein, Sridhar Vembu said India needs to develop through the talent of its own people to gain genuine respect around the world.“Until India develops, based on the talents of our own people, we will not find true respect in the world, no matter whether right, left or center is in charge anywhere,” he wrote. Vembu also addressed racist remarks that questioned why Indians move abroad if India has talented people.

He said such comments should encourage the country to build stronger businesses and institutions rather than respond with hatred.“The racist shows us a mirror and asks: "if your nation is smart, why do you want to come here". I do not hate him, I want to respond by building.”He added that he holds the same view towards Indians who believe the country will never develop. “Some Indians agree with the racist and think India will never develop.

I do not hate them either, I want to respond by building.”Vembu said belief in the possibility of progress was important for building successful companies and nations. “Companies and nations are built by people who believe it can be done.”He ended his post with a call for greater focus on development and building India's capabilities. “The urgent national priority is to build, build and build.”