Are parents and schools pushing kids towards stress? Rs 5,000 crore self-made man speaks out

Billionaire entrepreneur and Thyrocare founder, Dr A Velumani often makes interesting observations that he shares on social media. Recently, he reflected on how perspectives on success have changed over the years. Taking to X, he added how parents, schools, colleges and coaches play a role.

Dr A Velumani wrote that in the 1970s, parents, schools, colleges, and coaches instilled confidence that individuals could achieve twice their potential. While most ended up reaching only a standard level of success, they remained content, and those who exceeded expectations were celebrated. Frustration was rare.

By the 2000s, however, unrealistic expectations fueled by greed led many to believe they could achieve ten times more. While some managed to do so, the majority struggled to meet these inflated goals, leading to widespread stress and frustration. His advice: focus on improving capabilities rather than setting unrealistic expectations.

What did the internet have to say about this?

One user emphasized the importance of developing skills based on personal strengths rather than comparing oneself to others, as doing so only leads to frustration and stress. Another pointed out that overpromising disrupts peace, suggesting that focusing on skill-building and execution yields real results, unlike unrealistic expectations that don’t pay the bills. Another user highlighted the irony of aiming for ten times the success without even ensuring twice the capability, resulting in a generation chasing illusions instead of sustainable growth.

About parental pampering and its effects on success

He previously discussed the impact of parental pampering on children, observing two distinct patterns.



Some young adults, regardless of wealth, grew up solving problems independently without much parental intervention. They emerged as confident, clear-headed, and self-reliant. In contrast, those whose parents micromanaged their lives—constantly comparing them to peers—struggled with stress, dependency, and fear. His advice to parents was simple: avoid excessive pampering.