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Sridhar Vembu (left); Namita Thapar (right)
After Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu shared his advice that young Indians should “marry and have kids in their 20s,” it has stirred debate across business and social circles.
Sridhar Vembu's "marry young" advice
In a recent post on X, Vembu said, “I advise young entrepreneurs I meet, both men and women, to marry and have kids in their 20s and not keep postponing it.
I tell them they have to do their demographic duty to society and their own ancestors. I know these notions may sound quaint or old-fashioned but I am sure these ideas will resonate again.”
I advise young entrepreneurs I meet, both men and women, to marry and have kids in their 20s and not keep postponing it.
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) November 19, 2025
I tell them they have to do their demographic duty to society and their own ancestors. I know these notions may sound quaint or old-fashioned but I am sure… https://t.co/5GaEzkMcbQ
Namita Thapar calls out
Without taking any names, entrepreneur and investor Namita Thapar has called out influential leaders for promoting what she described as “regressive and distracting gyan” instead of addressing the pressing challenges faced by Indian women.
She compared the “marry young” advice to the earlier controversy around glorifying “70-hour work weeks” by senior industry leaders.
Expressing her astonishment, she wrote that leaders with influence “have a huge responsibility to use their voice responsibly to take up REAL issues.”
Thapar then pointed to two data points she believes should command far more attention: 57% of Indian women suffer from anaemia, and less than 20% participate in the workforce, with both figures “stagnant for years.”
These, Thapar argued, are the numbers that truly demand public messaging and policy focus.
“Since you love numbers so much,” she wrote, “I would like to suggest two real numbers you can give gyan on next time.”
Her pointed comment concluded with a sharp reminder that leaders have a duty to address women’s issues, adding, with unmistakable sarcasm, that she has “many more” issues to list if leaders “find time after taking care of duty towards [their] ancestors.”
A leader with influence has a huge responsibility to use his/ her voice responsibly to take up REAL issues. 10 min back, i was shocked to read about this “marry in your 20’s” gyan.. similar to another favourite number of mine - “70” hour work week !! Since u love numbers so much,… pic.twitter.com/it0yrVm4T6
— Namita (@namitathapar) November 20, 2025
Netizens support Thapar
Thapar’s statement has resonated widely, especially among young professionals and women’s rights advocates who say the spotlight must shift from moral prescriptions to systemic solutions.
With anaemia rates stubbornly high and workforce participation alarmingly low, many believe her critique exposes the gap between public rhetoric and real policy priorities.