Indian Startup Bosses On Piyush Goyal’s “Dukandaari Hi Karna Hain?” Question

New Delhi:

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal‘s note to Indian startups – asking them to shift focus from food delivery to more advanced technological solutions – has led to a debate online.

Some industry leaders, such as Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha, pointed out India’s consumer startups have generated thousands of crores in tax contributions and provided employment opportunities.

Some others, like ex BharatPe Managing Director Ashneer Grover, reminded the minister China – in the spotlight after a Hangzhou-based research lab launched DeepSeek, an advanced Artificial Intelligence-driven chatbot – also began with food delivery initiatives before evolving further.

All of this began with Mr Goyal appearing to take a shot at the startup sector.

At an investment event in Delhi, he said, “We are making food/hyper delivery apps; creating cheap labour so the rich can have a meal without stepping out, while the Chinese are working on AI (artificial intelligence), EVs (electric vehicles), and semiconductors.”