Shantanu Deshpande, the CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, has caused quite a debate in a very interesting LinkedIn post regarding the current work culture in India. Using candid observations, he noted a general discontent among Indian employees working in any sector, suggesting that 99% of them would quit their jobs if they were financially secure. His words reflect the struggles of many who try to balance their financial obligations and personal fulfillment.
A Nation of Restless Workers? 🤔
Deshpande's post highlights a disturbing truth: a vast percentage of workers hate working. "If everyone in India was given sustainable money and the financial security their current jobs give them, 99% won't turn up to work the next day," he said.
This feeling, he stated, cuts across industries: blue-collar jobs, government employees, gig economy workers, and even those in "fun and employee-friendly startups." For many, work is not a choice but a necessity to support families and meet financial obligations. "Most starting points for people are zero, and work is a majboori to provide for spouse, children, elderly parents, and dependent siblings," Deshpande explained.
A Flawed System: The "Dangling Carrot" of Employment 🥕
Deshpande likened India’s work culture to a “dangling carrot” system, where employees are drawn away from their personal lives by the promise of a paycheck. This practice, he noted, has persisted for centuries, underpinning nation-building but at a significant human cost.
"We just assume it's alright to do that because that's what's been happening for 250+ years," he reflected. But increasingly, he finds himself questioning the inequity of this system and its impact on individuals.
The Stark Reality of Wealth Disparity 💰
Adding another layer to his indictment, Deshpande pointed out how alarming wealth inequality is in India. According to his observations, only 2,000 families control 18 percent of the country's wealth and contribute less than 1.8 percent of taxes.
Such a concentration of wealth belies the "work hard and climb up" story so often trumpeted by those at the top. "These families and other 'equity builders' like me are culprits in peddling this narrative because it's self-serving. But what else is there to do? We don't know any other way," Deshpande conceded.
While he acknowledged that 75% of billionaires are self-made, he cautioned that the denominator of such success stories remains dismally small.
A Call for Compassion and Change 🌍💞
The conclusion of Deshpande’s post comes forth with an eloquent call for empathy and activism:
"Life is very hard for most people. Very few will change that. Most people carry invisible burdens on tired shoulders and smile their way through inevitability. If you are privileged, be kind and generous and push as many people up as you can," he pleaded.
An Indian Wake-Up Call for the Working Culture 📢
Deshpande sheds light on deeper issues in the work culture and wealth distribution in India. His call for a more empathetic approach, coupled with an acknowledgment of systemic flaws, wakes up organizations and individuals together. His observations may lay down concrete grounds for meaningful change in how we approach work and success in India, as the discourse on work-life balance, financial security, and systemic inequality gains momentum.
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