Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, shared an in-depth thought on Indian work culture in a recent post on LinkedIn. His unfiltered critique addressed the realities of labor, wealth inequality, and the deeply rooted ethos of “work hard” that has driven economies for centuries.
“If financial security were guaranteed, 99 percent would not show up for work the next day,” he said, questioning the fundamental motivations that fuel the country’s workforce. From construction workers to government employees, Deshpande observed near-universal discontent, adding: “The story is the same. 19-20 ka farak.
Deshpande did not shy away from discussing the wealth divide, pointing out that just 2,000 families control 18% of India’s wealth while contributing far less than 1.8% of the country’s taxes. “This is just INSANE,” he exclaimed. He questioned the morality of a system in which the majority work tirelessly to provide for their families while a few benefit disproportionately.
Reflecting on the historical role of work, he noted: “For more than 250 years, we have accepted the norm of working tirelessly from dawn to dusk, often for weeks, with the promise of a wage. Nations were built on this foundation, so we do it. However, he candidly admitted that even equity investors like himself are guilty of perpetuating the “work hard and climb the ladder” narrative because “we don’t know any other way.”
The post sparked strong reactions. One speaker argued that jobs offer more than financial stability, stating, “A job keeps the mind active. Without it, people might waste time scrolling through social media. Another noted that nations thrive on the work of farmers, teachers, health workers and sellers who would continue to work even if their livelihoods were assured.
Others questioned the feasibility of providing financial security to billions of people, while others delved into philosophical perspectives, comparing life’s struggles to themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
