'Parents, stop pampering your kids': Rs 5,000 crore Thyrocare founder shares real story about a rich kid he gave home tuitions

Billionaire and Thyrocare founder Dr. A. Velumani recently took to social media platform X to share his strong views on the dangers of pampering children and the importance of instilling discipline early in life. Reflecting on a personal experience from his youth, he illustrated how indulgent parenting can have long-term consequences, not only for the child but for the entire family.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Velumani held a respectable job at BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre), earning a modest government salary. However, with a large family to support, he sought additional income by offering tuition. One opportunity came from a wealthy Marwari woman living in Shivaji Park, who hired him to tutor her son, a fourth-grade student. She made it clear that money was not an issue but cautioned that her son had already gone through three tutors in a single year. The key condition: the boy must be kept happy.

Determined to hold onto the well-paying opportunity, Velumani soon discovered what the job actually entailed. To meet the child's expectations, he began completing the boy’s homework in his handwriting, consuming the snacks left in the study room so the child wouldn’t be “forced to eat,” and narrating humorous stories to entertain him—since the boy despised studying. These efforts kept the child pleased, prompting his mother to double the tutor's fee from ₹300 to ₹600 per month.


Though Velumani initially felt guilty for not genuinely teaching, his financial situation compelled him to continue. When he expressed a desire to quit, the family increased his pay again. Ironically, while his full-time job at BARC brought in ₹1,000 a month, this one-hour tutoring gig yielded ₹1,200, along with car transportation. He continued this arrangement throughout 1983 and 1984, using the money to support his siblings’ education and improving his own health and English fluency.

Despite all the efforts, the boy learned nothing and failed to pass even his 12th-grade exams. Decades later, fate took a turn. The once-wealthy family had fallen into financial distress. In a twist of life’s irony, Dr. Velumani’s wife eventually offered the same boy a job as a hardware technician in Thyrocare. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed sympathy for the boy’s mother, recognizing how misplaced parenting had led to unfortunate outcomes.

Dr. Velumani concluded his post with a poignant message: life consists of two innings of 35 years each. A life of indulgence early on often results in hardship later. True parenting, he stressed, is about guiding, not spoiling. “Parent. Do not pamper,” he advised, emphasizing that prosperity at both the family and national level begins with responsible parenting.

Netizens React: A Lesson That Struck a Chord

Dr. Velumani’s heartfelt post resonated deeply with readers online, sparking a wave of reflection and admiration. One user called it a “super inspirational” journey, while another shared, “So nice to read about your journey sir.” A more introspective comment underscored the role of willpower over circumstance, noting that childhood might not be in a child’s control, but resilience and a mature mindset make all the difference. Echoing Dr. Velumani’s cautionary note, another user remarked, “Parent, don’t pamper… so very apt for the times we live in, Sir.” The responses highlight how his story has not only inspired but also challenged readers to rethink parenting in today’s world.