‘Don’t expect flowers in India’: VC backs Sridhar Vembu, says return call not for most NRIs

Sridhar Vembu’s open letter urging Indian-Americans to return to India has sparked a heated debate on social media. Weighing in, venture capitalist Hemant Mohapatra said many are misreading the intent behind the message.

“This isn’t about ‘India is now like Singapore, so come back,’” Mohapatra wrote. “It’s about embracing hardship and returning with a mission to create real impact.”

He stressed that the call is not meant for everyone. “This isn’t for 99% of people — they should stay in the US, build their careers, and that’s completely fine,” he said. Instead, Mohapatra described it as a call for a specific kind of individual — someone willing to take on the challenges of nation-building.


Highlighting how India has evolved, he pointed out that opportunities in cutting-edge sectors such as AI, climate tech, space, and robotics were limited a decade ago but are now growing rapidly. “Today, there is serious research, private-sector momentum, capital, and government support. There is potential for glory — but it comes after struggle,” he added.



Mohapatra also noted that while it’s easy to invoke idealistic lines like “ask not what your country can do for you,” there’s a reason that generation in the US is widely respected — they made difficult choices and sacrifices.

According to him, only a certain type of individual will respond to Vembu’s call — those who quietly commit to the idea without indulging in “Twitter ragebait” about India’s flaws. “Just don’t expect flowers,” he concluded.

Mohapatra was responding to Vembu’s post on X, where the Zoho founder appealed to Indian-Americans to consider returning home. In his message, Vembu reflected on his own journey to the US decades ago and acknowledged the opportunities the country provided.


At the same time, he warned of shifting sentiments in the US, where a growing section believes immigrants take away jobs. He argued that long-term global respect for Indians depends heavily on India’s own progress — particularly its technological strength.

“Respect in today’s world comes from technological prowess,” Vembu wrote, urging professionals abroad to contribute to India’s growth. “Bharat Mata needs your talent… Let’s do it with a missionary zeal.”