Zoho Corporation founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has called on India’s urban elite to learn and use regional languages to demonstrate cultural respect and patriotism. Speaking on Saturday, Vembu emphasized that learning local languages such as Kannada in Karnataka or Marathi in Maharashtra strengthens national unity and preserves India’s diverse identity.
Drawing comparisons with China and South Korea, where citizens prioritize their native languages and local innovation, Vembu said India’s self-reliance efforts must also begin with language and culture. He noted that smaller towns and rural communities retain a stronger sense of belonging compared to the “globally detached mindset” of the hyper-educated urban class.
“Respect for local languages is a mark of national pride. The more we communicate in our mother tongues, the deeper our connection to our roots,” Vembu said, urging Indian companies to adopt regional languages in workplaces alongside English.
Vembu, known for his advocacy of vernacular education and rural innovation, said technology firms should take the lead in creating tools and interfaces in Indian languages to empower grassroots users.
His remarks sparked a lively debate on social media — with many applauding his call for linguistic inclusivity, while others pointed out perceived inconsistencies with his past support for promoting Hindi learning in Tamil Nadu.