More often that not we hear grandiose stories from silicon valley of how a acne covered geek working in his grandmother's basement found the solution to that 'obvious' problem which everyone overlooked and eventually made millions. And stories like facebook time and again prove that the 'American dream' very much exists even today in US. But while in our own silicon valley - Bangalore, the story is almost the converse. We have very few tech heroes like mark zukerberg, the last known public figure of rags to tech riches is the now retired ex chairman of India's 3rd largest 'services' company - 'NR Narayana Murthy'. Even after NRN founded infosys some 25 years ago, hardly are there 25 such companies to boast of in the 'silicon valley of India'. I wonder why. A little bit of idle browsing and talking to peers and colleagues in the industry, I feel partly, India's age old social structure and cultural principles have a significant contribution.
Let me explain.
1. In India, social obligations are way too high compared to the west. For ex: An average American has to play the role of a husband, a father perhaps and then a good worker. Its quite manageable. Compare that to an average Indian. He has to be a good father, husband, brother, newphew, grandson and whatnot while balancing his work life. There are some families I know of where one person feeds everyone from grandfather to his kid brother. One single guy. I can only imagine how stressful would it be for that poor soul to just juggle so many relationships, while balancing his career. Where is the time to think beyond the box ?
2. In the west, a techie studying in college, has little or no obligations to his family, other than to perhaps pass the course if his father paid for his tuitions. In India, not only has the son / daughter need to pass with "flying colors", he needs to provide support for his family, clear his father's debts, secure money for his sis' marriage, ensure enough bank balance is present to fund is little bro's college fees etc etc. And believe me, I'm not talking about a very far fetched scenario. Many of my friends who passed out of college, have done all these. So the risk taking attitude in Indian students is way too less compared to their counterparts in the west. I mean, how am I supposed to think of "denying" that high paying job from an "IT services" company, when my dad is neck deep in loans because of me ? The guilt of "wasting" their parents hard earned money is way too high among Indian students if they don't end up getting into a proper company after their course ends. Starting a company is something that's only in the movies or for some rich kids is the general perception among the middle class.
3. In the west, a working techie has little responsibilities. If, overnight he gets an idea which he finds worth 'entrepreneuring' on, he just can pool his savings so far and start right away. In India, we are expected to save for ourselves, our kid's marriages, college education, buying a house, a car so on and so forth. We need to ensure that not only our future is "safe", but also that our kids get into good colleges, get married and have their own kids. The responsibility just doesn't end till they are 18, you need to ensure your kids have a spouse and job too. Basically it means, we just don't have the right to spend what we earn. And to think of investing all that in a 'startup' ? The person should be nuts.
4. Its ok not to get married in the west. Nobody raises eyebrows, or make you a social outcast. Complete opposite in India, and this plays a significant role in shaping your career. In India, its pretty tough to be belonging to middle class and not be married if you are beyond 30. Almost everyone will be breathing down your neck forcing you to tie the knot. And two years down the line, you "should" have a kid and buy a house. You are left with very little time for experimenting with your life, making mistakes or failing which is more often than not what happens with most start ups. The room for error is very less, so most people just tend to take the easy risk free path of 'employment'. Like the quote from 'The Wire' - "you can't lose if you don't play".
Having said all the above, I don't mean to say that India cannot produce entrepreneurs. Its just that the social and cultural aspects of our society has quite an impact on our youth in shaping their thinking. Very few have the courage the break these social barriers and emerge successful. These are the guys about whom we read in books and newspapers. Unfortunately such numbers are far and few in between. Here's to hoping more such success stories happen in 'India's silicon valley'. Signing off for now....catch you later !
