'Work is a majboori': Bombay Shaving Company's CEO Shantanu Deshpande reveals why 99% Indians dislike their jobs

Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently shared a thought-provoking observation on LinkedIn, claiming that most Indian workers are dissatisfied with their jobs. He further speculated that if their financial needs were secured, many would choose to stop working altogether.

In his post, Deshpande highlighted a troubling reality: the primary reason people continue working in India is financial sustenance. He wrote, “One of the tragic and late realizations I’ve had is – most people don’t like their jobs. If everyone in India was given sustenance money and financial security their current jobs give them, 99 percent won’t show up to work the next day.”

Shantanu Deshpande Tweet on Work Culture and Jobs:

Shantanu added that this situation is common across all sectors, including blue-collar workers, government employees, gig workers, factory employees, insurance salesmen, bankers, small business owners, and even employees in employee-friendly startups like his own.


Deshpande also drew attention to the country's work culture, which he likened to the pursuit of an unattainable goal, describing it as a “dangling carrot.” He explained, “To usurp someone away from their homes and families all day from morning to night, sometimes for days and weeks, with a hanging carrot of a paycheck – we just assume it’s alright to do that because that’s what’s been happening for 250+ years. That’s how nations have been built. So we do it.”

Wealth Disparity in India:

The CEO of Bombay Shaving Company also discussed the stark wealth disparity in India, citing that only around 2,000 families control a significant portion of the nation's wealth. Although the exact numbers are unclear, Deshpande pointed out that these families pay less than 1.8 percent of the country’s taxes.

In his concluding remarks, Deshpande shared a personal reflection on the inequality embedded in this work culture. He urged those with resources to act with generosity, stating, “Be kind and generous, and help lift as many people up as possible.”