Ashneer Grover, the founder of BharatPe and a prominent figure from Shark Tank India, recently expressed his concerns about the insulated lives of Indian youth. During a podcast titled ‘LEAKED – How to Start a Business in 2024 (What ACTUALLY WORKS)’, Grover contrasted the experiences of young people in India with those in the United States, suggesting that Indian youngsters are disconnected from the realities of their country and its economy.
Grover emphasized that many Indian youths live in gated communities and rely on chauffeur-driven cars, which limits their understanding of the world beyond their protected environments. “We think that the youngsters in the US are naive. It’s exactly the opposite. The current generation of youth in India has been living in a bubble,” he remarked. According to Grover, this bubble extends to their educational experiences, where elite schools and exclusive clubs further insulate them from diverse societal interactions.
He pointed out the immense academic pressure placed on students from a young age, noting that preparations for college admissions often begin in Class 9. “From Class 9 kids begin to prepare for colleges. How will they see or experience the world this way?” Grover questioned. He argued that real-world experiences, including professional failures and betrayals, are essential for breaking out of this bubble.
Ashneer Grover suggested that it could take about seven years in the professional world for these young individuals to gain a true understanding of how the country and economy function. He believes that their current upbringing leaves them “very far from how the country runs or the economy runs.”
The podcast clip, shared by YouTuber Ishan Sharma on X, sparked a variety of reactions from listeners. Some agreed with Grover’s perspective, while others offered alternative views. One user noted, “True to some extent. This could be an advantage too. 20-year-olds don’t have the same mental constraints that come with experiencing the real world and that makes them more fearless in making decisions. They can therefore become better at innovation.”
Another user attributed the issue to overprotective parenting, saying, “More like a bubble of over pampering from the parents. Parents have become over-protective.” There were also calls for educational reforms, with one commenter suggesting, “Education needs to include real world examples that are current. Instead of trying to fit too much content into the curriculum, we need to focus on application in the real world.”
However, some users felt that Grover’s observations were too narrow. “His bubble is limited to his own society and where he lives. Kids today are experiencing much more than what he thinks they face. He is talking of kids who have been ‘given’ privilege by their parents who don’t want to parent. The rest of the kids are fine… facing what they are supposed to,” commented a fourth user.
As debates continue, Grover’s remarks have certainly ignited a conversation about the upbringing and preparedness of Indian youth for the real world.