In a noteworthy endorsement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, emphasizing that in modern India, success is not determined by one’s surname. The Prime Minister’s commendation came in response to a viral video featuring Goyal, where he recounted the challenges of his startup journey.
During a recent event organized by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Deepinder Goyal shared a poignant anecdote about the early days of Zomato’s inception. The video of his speech quickly garnered attention on social media, highlighting Goyal’s journey from a small-town boy to a leading entrepreneur.
Goyal reminisced about launching Zomato in 2008 and his father’s initial skepticism. “When I told my dad about starting Zomato, he said, ‘Janta hai tera baap kaun hai?’ which translates to ‘Do you know who your father is?’. This implied that with our humble background, venturing into a startup seemed implausible,” Goyal recalled.
PM Modi retweeted the clip, emphasizing the importance of hard work over lineage. “In today’s India, one’s surname doesn’t matter. What matters is hard work. Your journey is truly inspiring, Deepinder Goyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for startups to flourish,” PM Modi tweeted.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s praise, Goyal expressed his gratitude on social media. “Thank you for your kind words, sir. This certainly motivates us to work harder and do better,” Goyal posted.
Goyal attributed Zomato’s success to government initiatives that enabled entrepreneurs from small towns to thrive. “It was this government and their initiatives that enabled a small-town boy like me to build something like Zomato, which employs lakhs of people today!” he said during his speech.
Since its inception, Zomato has grown from a restaurant listing and review platform into a food delivery giant, expanding to over 1,000 Indian cities. Deepinder Goyal, an IIT Delhi graduate, recently appeared as a Shark on Shark Tank India Season 2 and has been in the spotlight for his marriage to Grecia Munoz, a former model and entrepreneur.
The event, named Vishesh Sampark, hosted by Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, brought together notable figures from various sectors, including startup leaders and IT professionals, fostering an environment of exchange and collaboration.
Goyal’s story underscores the transformative power of perseverance and vision, resonating with aspiring entrepreneurs and reinforcing the message that determination and hard work are the true keys to success in today’s India.
