‘Kool in Kurta’: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Advocates for Kurtas in Tech Industry
'Kool in Kurta': Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Advocates for Kurtas in Tech Industry
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, in a recent interview, touched on various topics including digital data ownership, work hours, and Ola’s Krutrim AI platform.
Aggarwal, who wore a kurta for the interview, highlighted the growing popularity of this traditional attire in the San Francisco Bay Area. Drawing comparisons with tech icons like Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, known for his signature turtlenecks, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, known for his black leather jacket, Aggarwal emphasized the elegance and comfort of kurtas.
He argued that while the Indian startup ecosystem often looks to the West for inspiration, there is value in embracing Indian sartorial traditions. “We can be more comfortable in our skin in a kurta, quite literally,” Aggarwal said. “Our skin is our clothing, a kind of fashion sense that is uniquely Indian. In my view, the kurta is a very elegant dress. I believe all Indians, especially the younger tech professionals, should embrace wearing kurtas.”
Aggarwal also expressed support for Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy’s recent advice advocating a 70-hour workweek. “I should do more, and I’m fully in sync with his direction to the youth,” Aggarwal stated. He acknowledged Murthy’s significant contributions to Infosys, noting how Murthy’s return to the company helped turn it around, a feat further advanced by Nandan Nilekani in his role as non-executive chairman.
In addition to fashion and work hours, Aggarwal addressed the dominance of Western technology and stressed the importance of autonomy and data control in artificial intelligence. He advocated for a more self-reliant approach to technology development in India, suggesting that owning and controlling digital data is crucial for the country’s technological advancement.
One of the standout points from the discussion was his advocacy for young Indian tech professionals to embrace wearing kurtas
Reacting to the above video, one user wrote, “He deserves a world class workforce which he won’t get.”
A second user responded, “Wonderful. I heard him for the first time and I just love him.”
A third user commented, “The knowledge this man hold is unbelievable.
Overall, Aggarwal’s interview provided a unique blend of cultural advocacy and professional advice, encouraging young tech professionals to embrace their heritage while striving for excellence in their work.
