Zoho's Sridhar Vembu asks Indians in US to 'come back'; Ashneer Grover's '$1 = Rs 94, temperature 50C' reply sparks fierce debate

A fresh debate around brain drain and nation-building has kicked off online after Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urged Indians living in the United States to consider returning to India. His post, shared on X, quickly went viral, and drew a sharp, no-nonsense response from entrepreneur Ashneer Grover.

Sridhar Vembu’s ‘open letter’ to Indians in America

In what he called an “open letter”, Vembu addressed Indians settled in the US, reflecting on their journey and contributions.

“Open letter to Indians in America. Dear brothers and sisters from Bharat: Like I did 37 years ago, you arrived in America with no money but with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat. You achieved outstanding success. America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful, gratitude is our Bharatiya way,” he wrote.



At the same time, he pointed to growing concerns in the US about immigration and job competition.

He added that many Americans now believe Indians “take away” jobs and that their success is “unfairly earned”.

‘Come back home’: Vembu pitches India’s technological future

Vembu’s core message was a call to action, asking skilled Indians abroad to return and contribute to India’s growth.

“Respect in today’s world, along with prosperity and security, comes from one source: a nation’s technological prowess,” he wrote.

He argued that while India has produced strong talent, much of it has been exported overseas, particularly to the US.

“As difficult as it is for many of you to contemplate this, please come back home. Bharat Mata needs your talent. Our vast youthful population needs the technology leadership you gained over the years to guide them towards prosperity. Let’s do it with a missionary zeal,” he said.

Ashneer Grover’s blunt reply: ‘Just DON’T’

Vembu’s post didn’t go unanswered. Ashneer Grover responded with a characteristically blunt take that quickly grabbed attention.

“What delulu! Record breaking heat in India is clearly making people dizzy. Just DON’T, be scientific in your approach. Look at numbers: $1 = Rs 94. Temperature = 50C,” he wrote.


His comment struck a nerve, bringing in economic realities and quality-of-life concerns into the conversation.

Internet reaction: Divided opinions on return-to-India call

The exchange has triggered a wider discussion online, with users weighing in from both sides.

Some backed Vembu’s call for nation-building. One user wrote, “Sridhar Vembu has a point. Nation building cannot happen if everyone leaves.”

Others, however, sided with Grover’s realism. “Patriotism is important, but asking people to return without addressing basic issues is not practical,” another user commented.

Concerns around infrastructure, work culture and living conditions also came up. One post read, “India needs talent, but talent also needs infrastructure, clean cities and better work culture.”

At the same time, a section of users appreciated Grover’s bluntness. “Ashneer said what many people are thinking but are afraid to say,” one comment noted.