Zoho's Sridhar Vembu, worth Rs 50,000 crore, says the real secret to happiness isn't what most people think

Entrepreneur and Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu recently shared a deeply reflective post on X (formerly Twitter), where he delved into the emotional contrast between joy and sorrow. Drawing from his life experiences and interactions, Vembu suggested that true resilience and happiness often emerge from life’s most challenging circumstances. In his view, individuals who undergo intense suffering often possess a contagious sense of hope and strength, which far surpasses that of those with easier lives.

Rather than becoming bitter or withdrawn, these individuals exhibit remarkable emotional maturity, embracing hardships with a smile and lifting the spirits of those around them. For Vembu, their strength and optimism are a source of daily inspiration.



Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu shares life lessons on joy, adversity, and emotional strength

Vembu believes that unhappiness often stems from self-centered thinking. He emphasises that happiness is not simply a product of external events but a conscious, internal choice. According to him, emotional well-being is less about circumstances and more about attitude. People who remain joyful through hardships embody a form of wisdom that transcends material success—they teach us about gratitude, resilience, and inner peace.

His interactions with such people have helped him reshape his understanding of what true happiness and strength look like. To Vembu, this is a reminder that the greatest lessons in life often come from those who have the least in terms of wealth but the most in terms of courage and outlook.



From rural Tamil Nadu to global tech leader: Sridhar Vembu’s journey to building Zoho

Born in 1968 in a humble Tamil Brahmin household in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Sridhar Vembu’s early life was far from the glitz of the tech world. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from IIT Madras in 1989 before moving to the U.S. to complete his master’s and PhD at Princeton University. His professional journey began as a wireless engineer at Qualcomm in San Diego, followed by years in California’s Bay Area.

In 1996, Vembu co-founded AdventNet with his brothers, initially serving network hardware vendors. In 2009, the company was rebranded as Zoho Corporation , pivoting to provide cloud-based CRM and business software solutions. Today, Zoho is one of the most respected software firms globally, known for innovation and independence.



Why Zoho’s Vembu chose simplicity over Silicon Valley

Despite his success, Vembu made an unconventional decision in 2019—he left Silicon Valley to settle in Tenkasi, a rural region in Tamil Nadu. His move reflected a deep-rooted philosophy: bringing technological innovation to India’s grassroots while staying grounded in simplicity and service. As of 2020, he held 88% of Zoho shares, and his net worth has surged from $2.44 billion in 2020 to $5.85 billion by 2024.

He was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2021. According to Forbes India's 2024 ranking, Vembu and his siblings collectively hold the 51st spot among India’s wealthiest, with a fortune of $5.8 billion. Vembu’s reflections reveal a rare blend of entrepreneurial brilliance and philosophical wisdom. While he commands one of the most successful tech empires in India, it is his focus on humanity, purpose, and emotional strength that sets him apart. His belief that happiness is a mindset—not a luxury—makes his journey not just a business success story, but also a powerful life lesson.




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