PM Modi’s shoutout to Zomato CEO: Surname doesn’t matter in today’s India

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 22, 2024: In a shoutout to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that in today’s India, one’s surname holds no significance. The Prime Minister’s tweet came in response to a viral video of Goyal, where he recounted his startup journey and the initial scepticism he faced.

At a recent event organised by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Deepinder Goyal shared a deeply personal anecdote about Zomato’s inception. The video of his speech quickly gained traction on social media.

In the clip, Goyal reminisced about launching Zomato 16 years ago, back in 2008. His father’s initial reaction was one of doubt and concern. Goyal’s father had asked him, "Janta hai tera baap kaun hai?" which translates to "Do you know who your father is?", implying that with their humble background, venturing into a startup seemed implausible.

As a small-town boy from Punjab, Goyal faced the common mindset that questioned his ability to succeed in the startup world. His father’s words echoed in his ears. "When I told my dad about starting Zomato, he said, ’Janta hai tera baap kaun hai?’ which basically meant ’You can’t do a startup’," he recalled.

"But it was this government and their initiatives enabled a small town boy like me to build something like Zomato, which employs lakhs of people today!" he said.

Retweeting the clip, PM Modi said success is not bound by surnames and what Goyal had achieved served as inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs.

"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 said.

After launching Zomato in 2008, Deepinder Goyal quickly grew the startup from a restaurant listing and review platform into a food delivery giant. He oversaw Zomato’s expansion to over 1000 Indian cities.

An IIT Delhi graduate, Goyal recently appeared as a Shark on Shark Tank India Season 2. He’s also been in the news for his marriage to Grecia Munoz, a former model and entrepreneur.