In India, success hinges on merit and hard work, not lineage: PM Modi reacts on Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal's nostalgic views

In a recent special contact campaign initiated by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister of State for IT Rajiv Chandrashekhar, India celebrated the Digital Revolution under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi on May 20th. The event saw the gathering of numerous startup founders, tech innovators, IT professionals, and industry stalwarts. Notable figures in attendance included Varun Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, and Deepinder Goyal, co-founder of Zomato.

Inspiring stories 

During the event, Deepinder Goyal shared a poignant anecdote from his entrepreneurial journey. Recalling a moment 16 years ago when he contemplated starting a startup, Goyal recounted his father's skeptical words: "Do you know who your father is?" This remark, intended to dissuade him, only fueled Goyal's determination. In response, Prime Minister Modi took to social media, emphasising that in contemporary India, success hinges on merit and hard work, not lineage. He lauded Goyal's journey as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, affirming the government's commitment to fostering opportunities for startup growth.

Deepinder Goyal, Zomato

When I started Zomato in 2008, my father used to say “tu janta hai tera baap kaun hai” as my dad thought I could never do a start up given our humble background. This government and their initiatives enabled a small town boy like me to build something… pic.twitter.com/vogdM6v8oT

— Hardeep Singh Puri (मोदी का परिवार) (@HardeepSPuri) May 20, 2024

Varun Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, also captivated the audience with his narrative. Reflecting on his humble middle-class background, Alagh recounted the journey of founding Mamaearth alongside his wife Ghazal in 2016, coinciding with the launch of the Startup India initiative. Within seven years, their venture had ascended to stock market listing, employing approximately 10,000 individuals.

Government endorsement

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri echoed admiration for Alagh's achievements, underscoring his transition from a middle-class background to a successful entrepreneur providing livelihoods for thousands. Puri pledged continued support for job creation, product quality enhancement, and research endeavors in the coming years.

In response, Prime Minister Modi commended Alagh for his contributions, urging him to persevere in inspiring others through his success. He reiterated the government's commitment to nurturing startups and fostering wealth creation, expressing pride in the burgeoning energy of youth nationwide, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Varun Alagh, Founder, Mamaearth

We are from middle class backgrounds and started our company in 2016 from scratch and today we employ more than 10000 people. It couldn’t have been possible but for the ecosystem provided by Modi government. In the next 5 years, focus has to be on… pic.twitter.com/wPafs1OXr1

— Hardeep Singh Puri (मोदी का परिवार) (@HardeepSPuri) May 20, 2024

Through these narratives, the event underscored the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation, buoyed by governmental support and a culture of meritocracy.