AgenciesMohandas Pai, former Infosys CFO, publicly lashed out at Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia after the latter questioned whether India's recent economic achievement—overtaking Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy—was truly felt by its citizens. The spat began when Bhatia posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), overlaying grim images of Indian slums and polluted rivers with a provocative message: “We overtook Japan in GDP……but can you feel it in your pocket? Growth without distribution is just inflation in disguise.”
Pai’s response was immediate and sharp.
“Man @sabeer you are an economic refugee, left India long ago. Good riddance to bad rubbish. You had no role in India’s progress. So stop pontificating and shut up. We will grow India and build our future. We do not need you. You are toxic and a hate monger,” he posted, directly quoting and reposting Bhatia’s original video.
He then outlined a vision for equitable growth, suggesting that India could harness artificial intelligence to mass educate its population and develop critical thinking skills.
“What we need to empower them with is critical thinking skills. If every citizen of India has critical thinking skills, they would be ready for this new intellectual property revolution. But if we stick to the old way of rote learning and memorisation and getting marks and passing exams, that is completely useless,” he said.
“There is a reason why I am positively criticising premature celebration. Please do not take it the wrong way,” Bhatia added.
Pai doubles down: “We do not need you”
Pai was unrelenting in his critique, painting Bhatia as someone who had fled India only to lecture those who stayed behind.
“We stayed back, worked very hard, paid our taxes and grew India. We will grow our industry and the future! India is still a poor country, but growing very fast. We are better than 20 years ago, better than 10 years ago, better than 5 years ago,” Pai wrote in a follow-up post.
He also escalated the tone, stating: “All you do is abuse India and Indians. We celebrate our achievements as we did it not you, and then go back to hard work to build India. Do not need you.”
Bhatia hit back with a calmer tone, replying, “I see hate in your tweets. Mine are loaded with logic.” He also added, “Pray explain the term economic refugee. How can someone more erudite than you be called an 'economic refugee'.”
NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam had earlier confirmed the ranking shift, saying India is now behind only the US, China, and Germany. However, critics like Bhatia insist that ground realities—such as inequality, education gaps, and poor urban infrastructure—must be addressed before celebrating headline figures.
Social Media takes sides
Online reactions to the spat have been polarised. One user wrote, “Yes, I do. When I went to Japan this year, my rupee counted for much more!... Just because you live in a bubble in the US, doesn't mean the people on the ground don't.”
Another said, “I get your point, Sabeer… let’s be optimistic, support the movement, and celebrate the milestone without losing momentum.”
Others questioned Bhatia’s right to comment. “You should have stayed back and contributed to growth and distribution,” one wrote.
India’s economic rise has also coincided with a slowdown in Japan’s growth. From a peak GDP of $6 trillion a few years ago, Japan has now slipped to $4 trillion. Some observers argue that this ranking shift tells as much about Japan’s stagnation as it does about India’s ascent.
Still, India’s progress in doubling its GDP over the past decade is being seen as a significant achievement—especially in a world facing global economic uncertainties. Whether that growth will translate into meaningful gains for all citizens remains the defining question.
Pai’s response was immediate and sharp.
“Man @sabeer you are an economic refugee, left India long ago. Good riddance to bad rubbish. You had no role in India’s progress. So stop pontificating and shut up. We will grow India and build our future. We do not need you. You are toxic and a hate monger,” he posted, directly quoting and reposting Bhatia’s original video.
Sabeer Bhatia: “I really care about India”
Bhatia, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur best known for founding Hotmail in the 1990s, defended his comments in a video shared alongside the post.
“The reason I have come out and criticised the overall GDP over that of Japan is for this reason. I have been getting a lot of backlash on my Twitter account but I’m still doing it because I love India and I love each and every one of you. I really care about India and I want it to be an India that improves the lives of all of its citizens, especially the ones right at the bottom of the pyramid. If we can take care of their lives, all the other numbers automatically take care of themselves,” Bhatia explained.
He then outlined a vision for equitable growth, suggesting that India could harness artificial intelligence to mass educate its population and develop critical thinking skills.
“What we need to empower them with is critical thinking skills. If every citizen of India has critical thinking skills, they would be ready for this new intellectual property revolution. But if we stick to the old way of rote learning and memorisation and getting marks and passing exams, that is completely useless,” he said.
“There is a reason why I am positively criticising premature celebration. Please do not take it the wrong way,” Bhatia added.
Pai doubles down: “We do not need you”
Pai was unrelenting in his critique, painting Bhatia as someone who had fled India only to lecture those who stayed behind.
“We stayed back, worked very hard, paid our taxes and grew India. We will grow our industry and the future! India is still a poor country, but growing very fast. We are better than 20 years ago, better than 10 years ago, better than 5 years ago,” Pai wrote in a follow-up post.
He also escalated the tone, stating: “All you do is abuse India and Indians. We celebrate our achievements as we did it not you, and then go back to hard work to build India. Do not need you.”
Bhatia hit back with a calmer tone, replying, “I see hate in your tweets. Mine are loaded with logic.” He also added, “Pray explain the term economic refugee. How can someone more erudite than you be called an 'economic refugee'.”
A debate rooted in unequal growth
The exchange comes amid a wider debate about India’s economic growth story. While the country has climbed to the fourth spot in global GDP rankings—surpassing Japan with a GDP now over $4 trillion—many analysts note that its per capita GDP still lags far behind developed economies. India’s per capita income remains below $3,000, compared to Japan’s nearly $35,000.NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam had earlier confirmed the ranking shift, saying India is now behind only the US, China, and Germany. However, critics like Bhatia insist that ground realities—such as inequality, education gaps, and poor urban infrastructure—must be addressed before celebrating headline figures.
Social Media takes sides
Online reactions to the spat have been polarised. One user wrote, “Yes, I do. When I went to Japan this year, my rupee counted for much more!... Just because you live in a bubble in the US, doesn't mean the people on the ground don't.”
Another said, “I get your point, Sabeer… let’s be optimistic, support the movement, and celebrate the milestone without losing momentum.”
Others questioned Bhatia’s right to comment. “You should have stayed back and contributed to growth and distribution,” one wrote.
India’s economic rise has also coincided with a slowdown in Japan’s growth. From a peak GDP of $6 trillion a few years ago, Japan has now slipped to $4 trillion. Some observers argue that this ranking shift tells as much about Japan’s stagnation as it does about India’s ascent.
Still, India’s progress in doubling its GDP over the past decade is being seen as a significant achievement—especially in a world facing global economic uncertainties. Whether that growth will translate into meaningful gains for all citizens remains the defining question.
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