Sabeer Bhatia, the co-founder of Hotmail, has recently stirred the pot by sharing his candid views on India's engineering education and work culture. In a podcast, Bhatia pointed out a troubling trend: a staggering 99% of Indian engineering graduates are opting for management roles instead of engaging in hands-on work that fosters innovation and real-world problem-solving.
During the conversation, Bhatia expressed his belief that many Indians equate success with monetary gain. "First of all, success is all in the heads of people. And Indians, over the whole culture, it's all about success, success. What is success? The point of life is not to be successful. The point of life is to find happiness," he stated, emphasizing that happiness should not be measured solely by wealth.
He elaborated that the purpose of life is to find meaning and that not everyone needs to chase high-status careers. Some may find fulfillment in simpler pursuits, such as running a small shop, as long as it brings them joy. This perspective challenges the prevalent notion in India that success is synonymous with financial achievement.
Bhatia also criticized the education system in India, particularly how it trains children. He noted that Indian students are often taught to memorize information for exams, only to forget it shortly after. He compared this to the educational approach in places like Silicon Valley, where students are encouraged to excel in their strengths and advance at their own pace.
In discussing the broader implications of India's work culture, Bhatia stated, "India has to decide what it wants to specialize in. Right now, it’s not specializing in anything. It’s becoming a jack of all trades — and worse, a cheap jack of all trades." He called for a more focused approach, similar to Germany's long-standing reputation for quality automobile manufacturing and the United States' specialization in software development.
Furthermore, Bhatia took a bold stance on India's economic measurements, particularly its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations. He claimed, "The whole country is lying, our GDP is all wrong," and criticized the current system for valuing financial transactions over actual work. He illustrated this by explaining how transactions involving GST can inflate GDP figures without reflecting real productivity. "In India, if I give you a Rs 1000, 18 percent GST is taxed on it, and you give it back to me, another 18 percent GST is taxed, counting as Rs 2,000 GDP with no work done," he pointed out.
Bhatia proposed implementing an hourly work-tracking system to rectify these issues, suggesting that measuring economic output based on actual hours worked would provide a more accurate reflection of the nation's productivity. He argued that this shift could help India compete with global powers like China, which he noted has a more inclusive education system that subsidizes learning for everyone.
His comments have sparked reactions from various quarters. Namita Thapar, Executive Director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a judge on Shark Tank India, disagreed with Bhatia's assessment. In her Instagram stories, she expressed frustration over what she perceives as a tendency among some Indians abroad to criticize their homeland. She stated, "It's easy to move to another country and give gyan, but the real impact lies in staying in your own country and facilitating change!"
Thapar's remarks highlight a growing concern regarding the brain drain, as many talented individuals leave India for better opportunities abroad. Bhatia's critique of the engineering education system resonated with Thapar, who acknowledged the need for improvement but urged for a more constructive approach to discussing India's challenges.
In another podcast, Bhatia reiterated the necessity for India to embrace a culture of innovation and hands-on work. He lamented the glorification of outsourcing and the lack of respect for those who engage in actual software development. "We celebrate people who promote body shopping, not original software. Somehow, they become India's software gurus—despite not writing any code themselves," he remarked.
As the conversation around India's engineering culture continues, Bhatia's insights serve as a call to action for both the education system and the workforce. He believes that by fostering critical thinking and hands-on skills, India can unlock its true potential and become a leader in innovation.
Reflecting on his own journey, Bhatia noted the stark contrast between academic learning and real-world application. He stated, "Stanford teaches what's relevant now, but much of the IIT academia is stuck in the past. I built Hotmail by learning on the job. Innovation doesn't come from textbooks—it comes from doing." These sentiments are echoed by India's G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, who has also called for a revamp of engineering curriculums to better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.
Bhatia's critique highlights the urgent need for India to rethink its approach to education, work ethic, and economic measurement. Only by valuing hands-on skills and fostering a culture of innovation can the country hope to compete on the global stage and ensure that its workforce is equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
