'In today's India, surname doesn’t matter': PM Modi on Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's recent speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said, In today’s India, one’s surname doesn’t matter. What matters is hard work."

His reaction came after Zomato co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal, in a recent speech, shared an anecdote about the early days of his entrepreneurial journey.

He revealed that his father said, "tu jaanta hai tera baap kaun hai" when he was starting Zomato in 2008. He explained that his father doubted his ability to succeed in a startup given their humble background.

"Your journey is truly inspiring, deepigoyal ! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish," PM Modi added.

In today’s India, one’s surname doesn’t matter. What matters is hardwork. Your journey is truly inspiring, @deepigoyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish. https://t.co/E9ccqYyVzv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2024

Goyal, who is also a Shark Tank India judge, noted that a lot has changed over the last 10 years, emphasizing that the government has significantly reduced obstacles for entrepreneurs.

He also discussed how the perception of startups has evolved in recent years and credited government initiatives for contributing to this positive shift. The video of Goyal's remarks was shared by Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Urban Development of India, who hosted an event for innovators and entrepreneurs.

The event focused on the country's digital transformation and future potential under PM Narendra Modi's leadership.