Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently shared a brilliant reflection on Indian work culture in a LinkedIn post. His unflinching critique touched on the realities of the workforce, wealth disparities, and the deeply entrenched ethos of “hard work” that has driven the economy for centuries.
“If financial security was guaranteed, 99% wouldn’t show up to work the next day,” he said, challenging the fundamental motivations that fuel the nation’s labor force. From jig workers to government employees, Deshpande observed almost universal discontent, “The story is the same. 19-20 ka difference.
Deshpande did not hold back when discussing wealth distribution, highlighting how just 2,000 families control 18% of India’s wealth but contribute less than 1.8% of the country’s taxes. “It’s just crazy,” he said. He questioned the morality of a system where the majority worked endlessly to support their families while the few benefited disproportionately.
Reflecting on the historical role of work, he remarked, “For 250+ years, we have accepted the ideal of working tirelessly, from dawn to dusk, often for weeks, with the promise of a paycheck. are made, so we do it. However, he frankly admits that even equity builders like himself are guilty of perpetuating the “work hard and climb” narrative because “we don’t know any other way.”
There has been a strong reaction to this post. One commenter argued that jobs offer more than financial stability, stating, “A job keeps the brain active. Without it, people can waste time scrolling through social media.” Another pointed out. That nations thrive on the labor of farmers, teachers, health care workers, and vendors who will continue to work even if guaranteed a living wage.
Others questioned the possibility of providing financial security for billions of people, while some delved into philosophical perspectives, comparing life’s struggles to themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
