Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu bats for learning Hindi, sparks row

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has once again ignited discussions on India's language dynamics with his latest remarks advocating for Hindi proficiency among workers in Tamil Nadu. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu stressed the practical benefits of multilingual skills, particularly in catering to customers from Hindi-speaking regions such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat. For those unaware, Zoho offers Web-based business tools and solutions.

"Not knowing Hindi is often a serious handicap for us in Tamil Nadu," Vembu noted, pointing out that many job opportunities in the state are linked to businesses requiring interaction with clients from the northern parts of India. Sharing his personal experience, he disclosed that he has been learning Hindi for five years and can now grasp about 20% of spoken conversations. Concluding his message with a phrase in both Tamil and Hindi, he urged, "Let us learn Hindi!"

Vembu's statement has elicited a mix of responses online. Some users supported his viewpoint, arguing that Hindi could serve as a unifying language for business across India. Others questioned the necessity of prioritizing Hindi over English or other regional languages.