logo
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu shares his Amma's question that has 'put pressure on him'

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu shares his Amma's question that has 'put pressure on him'

Time of India26-05-2025

Sridhar Vembu
, the
billionaire founder
of
Zoho Corporation
, sparked widespread relatability on social media with a heartfelt tweet about his mother's probing questions regarding his work and
AI
involvement. The May 25 post detailed how his mother asked in
Tamil
: "What is this AI, AI everyone is talking about? Are you doing it? You are traveling and speaking at so many events, do you give enough time for work?"
When Vembu responded that "speaking at events is also work," his mother remained skeptical, prompting him to add, "Now the pressure is really on." The tweet, shared from Tenkasi,
Tamil Nadu
, has garnered thousands of interactions and highlighted a generational divide in understanding modern tech roles.
This comes as Vembu transitions in his career. In January 2025, he stepped down as
Zoho Corp
CEO to become
Chief Scientist
, focusing on AI research initiatives.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
Vembu's post resonates Indian parents' expectations
Vembu's exchange with this mother struck a chord with users who shared similar experiences. One user replied, "Typical Tamil Amma Questions My mother asked once me in tamil 'Does working in laptop is real job?'" while another quipped, "Indian mother's expectations will only end after a government job sir."
A user added, "You forgot one important line - 'are you eating properly and on time,'" while BlueChalkMusings shared, "Sounds like my mother. She says you are always on laptop, and take few calls here and there. Are you really working?"
Meanwhile, a user offered a more reflective response: "There's a quiet wisdom in every mother's question—gently reminding us of balance, grounding, and truth… a mother's love remains the most human and divine intelligence."
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Smartphone brands shift focus to offline sales in smaller towns
Smartphone brands shift focus to offline sales in smaller towns

Time of India

time22 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Smartphone brands shift focus to offline sales in smaller towns

New Delhi: Smartphone brands are increasingly pivoting to offline channels, tapping into smaller towns with easier access to financing in a bid to sell more premium handsets, marking a notable departure from ecommerce platforms. Shipments to online retailers fell for the seventh consecutive month in April. This was largely due to online-centric brands making a sharp shift towards offline distribution, said market trackers. 'Online channel shipments faced double digit declines for the second consecutive month. In April, it declined by more than 20%. Meanwhile offline channels have grown by more than 10%, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth for offline, which also faced headwinds of low overall demand,' said Upasana Joshi, research manager, IDC India. Joshi said overall shipments were flat at around 12 million in April, compared to March, reflecting another flat quarter for the smartphone market. According to IDC, nearly all brands are implementing an omnichannel strategy, expanding into smaller towns/cities, offering attractive channel margins and support, which should sustain in the coming quarters. Live Events Lower appeal for online sales has made nearly every brand reduce volumes to online channels, including those earlier heavily reliant on ecommerce for distribution. For instance, Motorola reduced shipments to online channels to 64% in Q1 2025 from 82% a year earlier. For OnePlus, the figure fell to 71% from 85% in the same period, according to market researcher Canalys. Xiaomi, which started its Indian venture selling through ecommerce flash sales, currently garners 39% of its volumes through ecommerce, compared to 45% in Q1 2024, Canalys data showed. "Over the last one and half years, Xiaomi has pivoted from being an online-centric brand to taking an omnichannel strategy which aims to provide a unified experience to the consumer, ensuring the same product, same price, across every touchpoint," Sudhin Mathur, chief operating officer, Xiaomi India, told ET. Market trackers said brands are realising that ecommerce penetration in India has hit a plateau, with a majority of the country still catered to by brick-and-mortar stores, despite online channels helping brands reach remote locations. Spike in online sales during the pandemic has not sustained as consumer behaviour in rural areas is slow in transition. According to Canalys, the share of online sales of smartphones fell to 36% in Q1 2025 from 45% a year earlier. It said brands are relying on retail and distribution networks to drive sales. 'Channel schemes, offline activations, and tighter sell-out coordination will again define share gains,' said Sanyam Chaurasia, analyst at Canalys. He added that increased competition in designs and specifications are pushing brands towards showcasing products in offline stores where paper financing is also much easier. Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint Research said the lure of consumers towards online channels came due to easier availability, deep discounts, and exclusive launches. Most consumers were also not spending more than Rs 10,000-15,000 on handsets. With offline channels now seeing more price parity, and more bundled offers, along with easier access to financing, consumers are increasingly veering towards it, especially for high-end models, he said.

'India changed my heart forever': US woman ditches ‘average' American life for something 'bold and extraordinary'
'India changed my heart forever': US woman ditches ‘average' American life for something 'bold and extraordinary'

Time of India

time37 minutes ago

  • Time of India

'India changed my heart forever': US woman ditches ‘average' American life for something 'bold and extraordinary'

A New Chapter The Business of Living Differently That's the question Kristen Fischer asked herself before taking a life-altering leap. Leaving behind what she called an 'average' but comfortable life in the United States, Fischer moved to India with her husband Tim and their three daughters in 2021. Four years later, she says she has no regrets—only a now-viral video posted to Instagram , Fischer shared the soul-searching moment that spurred her family's move. 'I knew I had control of which direction to take my life. I could choose an average life in the USA, or I could choose to do something bold and extraordinary,' she said. Their decision, as it turns out, became a story of purpose, reinvention, and heartfelt connection with a country they now call settling in India, the Fischers have documented their life through vibrant videos showcasing their cultural explorations, street food trials, small-town joys, and even the emotional journey of adopting a daughter with special needs. 'In these past four years, I have met some amazing people, seen some incredible places, had some awesome food, and changed my heart forever,' she wrote. 'India has changed my life, and I will never be the same.'The couple's content, shared through their joint Instagram page, offers more than just picturesque visuals—it shares a worldview that places meaning over routine, and courage over bold relocation wasn't just emotional; it made practical sense too. In another video, Fischer broke down the financial logic behind their shift to India. She and Tim run a web development agency that serves mostly Western clients. 'We earn in US dollars and spend in Indian rupees,' she explained. 'It's simply easier for someone from the West to move to a place like India, where the cost of living is lower. It allows us to stretch our earnings and grow our business.'Their strategy highlights a growing trend among digital nomads and young families: reimagining lifestyle and work in ways that break the mold of traditional success. 'Plus, we get to live in a country we love. Seems like a win-win to me,' she and Tim Fischer's journey from the suburbs of America to the vibrant chaos and calm of India has resonated with many online. 'You only get one life,' Kristen reminds her audience. 'How will you live it?'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store