Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu's recent advice to young entrepreneurs has ignited a fiery debate online, splitting the internet into two distinct camps. On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Vembu posted on X, advocating that young men and women should marry and have children in their 20s, emphasizing it as a "demographic duty" to society and their ancestors.
Vembu's statement was a response to a post by entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who shared her observations from a recent interaction with students at IIT Hyderabad. Konidela noted a shift in attitudes towards marriage, with more men expressing interest in getting married than women, which she attributed to women being increasingly career-focused and representing a "new, progressive India".
Vembu, the former CEO of Zoho Corporation, countered this perspective by suggesting that young people should not postpone marriage and parenthood. He acknowledged that his views might seem "quaint or old-fashioned" but expressed confidence that they would resonate again in the future.
The reactions to Vembu's advice were swift and varied. Some users agreed with him, stating that early marriage provided them with stability, motivation, and a strong support system, particularly while building a career or a startup. They also argued that delaying marriage is a "Western idea" that is counterproductive in the Indian context.
However, a significant portion of online users pushed back against Vembu's suggestion. Many argued that young people today face economic and workplace pressures that make early marriage difficult. Concerns were raised about unstable salaries, zero work-life balance, soaring rents, and the high cost of living, which consume a large percentage of young people's income. One user pointed out that it's not a demographic crisis but an economic one, suggesting that fixing the economic issues would naturally lead to more people choosing to marry.
Adding another layer to the discussion, some highlighted the increasing trend of delaying childbirth, with more people, especially women, choosing to have children in their 30s rather than their 20s. Data indicates a decline in births, suggesting a shift in family planning.
It's worth noting that Sridhar Vembu's personal life has also come under scrutiny in relation to his advice. Vembu is divorced from Pramila Srinivasan, with whom he had a three-decade-long marriage that ended in 2023. Their separation was controversial, with Srinivasan claiming that Vembu abandoned her and their autistic son in the US and moved Zoho's IP to India without her knowledge.
The debate sparked by Vembu's comments reflects a broader societal discussion about the changing priorities and challenges faced by young people in India. While some prioritize family early, others focus on building their careers first. Both paths, as some users noted, can contribute to society in meaningful ways. Ultimately, the decision of when to marry and have children is a personal one, influenced by individual circumstances, values, and aspirations.
