India’s Rise as a Superpower: Sridhar Vembu’s Vision of Dharmic Capitalism

Chennai / New Delhi, October 2025:
In a thought-provoking conversation with Arnab Goswami, Zoho Corporation’s founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu shared his insights on “India’s Rise as a Superpower.” The discussion explored India’s technological trajectory, national consciousness, and Vembu’s philosophy of “Dharmic Capitalism” — a model that blends ethics, enterprise, and empathy.

From Tenkasi to the World: A Transformative Journey

Sridhar Vembu’s story is one of rooted innovation. From his native village in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, he built Zoho into a global software powerhouse — while keeping his operations decentralized and community-centric.

“India will truly rise when national prosperity meets rural vitality.
The future of digital India depends on the empowerment of villages, not just metros,”
said Vembu, emphasizing the need for a “bottom-up” development model.

Dharmic Capitalism: A Humane Economic Philosophy

Central to Vembu’s worldview is what he calls “Dharmic Capitalism.”

“True capitalism in India must respect labor, intellect, and social harmony.
The Western model of stock exits and corporate greed doesn’t fit our ethos,”
he asserted.

According to him, India needs joyful, community-oriented entrepreneurship — where wealth creation and social well-being coexist. “Profit is not wrong,” he added, “but it must serve a higher moral purpose.”

India’s SWOT Analysis

Vembu offered a strategic perspective on India’s position in the global order through a candid SWOT analysis:

Strength: India’s biggest strength lies in its youth power and intellectual capital.
Weakness: A lack of self-confidence among educated Indians to believe in their own capabilities.
Opportunity: The ‘Make in India’ movement and the global shift toward sustainable innovation.
Threat: Sectarian divides and a potential erosion of self-belief and unity.

“We must preserve our confidence and cohesion. India’s true superpower status will emerge from unity and self-trust,”
Vembu observed.

Arattai – India’s Own Messenger

Highlighting indigenous innovation, Vembu spoke proudly about ‘Arattai’, Zoho’s homegrown messaging app:

“‘Arattai’ is not just India’s answer to WhatsApp — it’s a symbol of self-reliance.
Developed in Tenkasi by our young engineers, it represents the spirit of a confident India.”

For Vembu, Arattai embodies the philosophy of “Made in India, for the World.”

Simple Living, High Thinking

Sridhar Vembu lives by the Gandhian ideal — “Simple Living, High Thinking.”
Despite being the head of a billion-dollar enterprise, he continues to reside in rural Tamil Nadu, bridging traditional values with global innovation.

“We must move beyond our dependence on global corporations,”
he said.
“The time has come for the world to recognize innovation emerging from Indian villages.”

A Turning Point in India’s Economic Narrative

This interview marks a significant shift in India’s startup and national discourse. Sridhar Vembu’s ideas merge technology, philosophy, and nationalism into a cohesive vision for the future.

He is not merely a technocrat but a philosopher-entrepreneur redefining capitalism for an ethical, self-reliant India.
His concept of Dharmic Capitalism stands as a bridge — connecting economic growth with moral responsibility.

India’s Rise as a Superpower: Sridhar Vembu’s Vision of Dharmic Capitalism