Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says ‘Go back to villages’ - Netizens are divided

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has stirred up a pretty interesting conversation online - and no, it’s not about startups or coding this time. Instead, he’s talking about something much more personal: going back home.

In a recent post on X, Vembu shared how villages in Tamil Nadu, especially around Thanjavur, have slowly been emptying out. Over the years, people have moved to cities or gone abroad for better opportunities, and what’s been left behind are locked houses, quieter streets, and even temples with no one to look after them.

His comment came after a user named Krishnan pointed out how temple towns like Papanasam, Neduntheru, and Ayyampettai don’t feel the same anymore. Places that once had a steady buzz now feel… still. Even temples like Appakudathaan and Anbil, which used to have regular local care, are now struggling to find people to maintain them.

Vembu’s response was simple but thought-provoking: villages have lost a lot of their talent over the past few decades, and maybe it’s time to think about going back.

But he wasn’t just talking in theory. He also mentioned what Zoho has been trying to do on the ground. The company already has an office near Kumbakonam and is working on building a bigger campus there. They’re also backing a local drone startup, Yali Aerospace, in Thanjavur. Still, he admitted - it’s just a start, and a lot more needs to happen.

Of course, the internet had plenty to say.

Many people loved the idea. The thought of bringing life back to villages, boosting local economies, and preserving culture clearly resonated. Some even said you don’t have to physically move back to make a difference - you can contribute in smaller ways too, like supporting schools, healthcare, cleanliness drives, or even helping manage local temples.

But not everyone was sold.

A lot of users pointed out the obvious - people didn’t leave villages just like that. For many, it was about survival. Cities offer jobs, better schools, hospitals, and a certain quality of life that smaller towns still struggle to match. Without fixing those basics, asking people to return might sound nice, but isn’t very practical.

Then there are the bigger questions. How many jobs can villages realistically offer? Will opportunities be enough for everyone, or only for a select few? And what about infrastructure - things like roads, hospitals, internet access, everyday convenience?

Some also brought up issues like local politics, social pressure, and even how remote work hasn’t been fully embraced—factors that quietly push people to stay in cities.

Still, mixed reactions aside, one thing is clear - Vembu has got people thinking.

Because this isn’t just about moving back to villages. It’s about a much bigger question: why are opportunities still so concentrated in cities? And what would it take to change that?

His point about rural India having “untapped potential” doesn’t feel far-fetched either. With the right kind of investment -better infrastructure, more jobs, consistent support - smaller towns could genuinely become thriving hubs.

Right now, the idea of “going back” might feel a bit idealistic to some and hopeful to others. But at the very least, it’s started a conversation that feels long overdue.

And maybe that’s the first step - getting people to pause and think about what life beyond the big cities could actually look like.