Mohandas Pai Slams Hotmail Founder Sabeer Bhatia Over India's GDP Remark
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Mohandas Pai fired back with a sharp post on X after Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia questioned the quality of life of everyday Indians.
Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai responded sharply to Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia's criticism of India's quality of life. Bhatia had questioned whether ordinary citizens were truly benefiting from the country's economic growth, despite India recently overtaking Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. Pai dismissed the remarks, defending India's progress and challenging Bhatia's assessment of everyday life in the country.
'We overtook Japan in GDP… but can you feel it in your pocket? Growth without distribution is merely inflation in disguise," Bhatia wrote while sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter).
We overtook Japan in GDP……but can you feel it in your pocket?Growth without distribution is just inflation in disguise. pic.twitter.com/mwZEVV7hcf — Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer) May 28, 2025
The video highlights scenes of slums, inadequate drainage systems, and the recurring issue of toxic white foam in Delhi's Yamuna River, which sparks concern annually.
Bhatia has previously raised similar concerns about the overall quality of life in India.
'The reason I have come out and criticised the overall GDP over that of Japan is for this reason. I have been getting a lot of backlash on my Twitter account, but I'm still doing it because I love India, and I love each and every one of you. I really care about India, and I want it to be an India that improves the lives of all of its citizens, especially the ones right at the bottom of the pyramid," Bhatia said in the now-viral clip. 'If we can change their lives, all the other numbers automatically take care of themselves," Bhatia also stated.
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia posted the video on May 28, and it has since garnered over 1.1 million views.
Reacting to Bhatia's X post on May 30, Pai wrote, 'Man Sabeer Bhatia, you are an economic refugee, left India long ago. Good riddance to bad rubbish. You had no role in India's progress. So stop pontificating and shut up."
'We will grow India and build our future. We do not need you. You are toxic and a hate monger," he also added.
Man @sabeer you are an economic refugee, left India long ago. Good riddance to bad rubbish. You had no role in India's progress. So stop pontificating and shut up. We will grow India and build our future. We do not need you. You are toxic and a hate monger. https://t.co/ETpI4ViUuy — Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) May 30, 2025
Bhatia's post has also gone viral, amassing over 5 lakh views and attracting numerous comments.
A user wrote, 'Yes, I do. When I went to Japan this year, my rupee counted for much more! In the past, I was able to buy less with the same amount of money. This time, I was able to buy a lot more. Just because you live in a bubble in the US, doesn't mean the people on the ground don't."
Another said, 'I get your point, Sabeer, and improvement in GDP per capita growth will happen once we realise India's full potential across services and product space. So, let's be optimistic, support the movement, and celebrate the milestone without losing momentum."
'You should have stayed back and contributed to growth and distribution," an individual remarked.
The exchange between Bhatia and Pai on X unfolds against the ongoing debate between overall GDP and per capita GDP. While many celebrated India's rise to the world's fourth-largest economy, others highlighted that in terms of per capita GDP, India still lags far behind Japan.
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