Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Says This City Offers 'Best Quality Of Life' In India: 'I Don't Want To Jinx'

Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu praised Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram for offering what he described as the “best quality of life” in the country.

While addressing a gathering, Vembu said that he always

enjoys visiting the city and contrasted it with frequent complaints from entrepreneurs in major metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai over the declining quality of life.

“I always love to come to Trivandrum. It’s probably the best quality of life in all of India. I actually don’t like to say it out too loud because I don’t want to jinx it. You know, what is the tweet coming out of Bangalore or Mumbai or even Chennai, every single entrepreneur complaining about quality of life, all of that,” he said.

Sridhar Vembu, Founder Zoho, about Trivandrum. pic.twitter.com/d1pzuwSoOv

— Great Kerala (@GreatKerala1) January 19, 2026

Calling Kerala a place with a “nice secret,” he said that it was something worth preserving. “Kerala has got a nice secret. And so, it’s all over Kerala, I may not say all over. So, that’s something that’s worth preserving,” he added.

The tech firm CEO further said that Zoho has invested in a company based in Thiruvananthapuram to work on designing the next generation of semiconductor chips. While noting that such efforts would take time to yield results, he expressed confidence in the local ecosystem and talent.

All About Thiruvananthapuram

Nestled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is often seen as a city that balances urban life with calm and order. Wide tree-lined roads, relatively low congestion, access to clean beaches and green spaces, and a slower pace of life contribute to its reputation for serenity.

The city also benefits from strong public education, healthcare systems and a deep cultural heritage that includes art, literature and classical music.

More broadly, Kerala has long stood out for its high human development indicators, social cohesion and emphasis on well-being. From its backwaters and hill stations to its coastal towns, the state is known for a lifestyle that values balance over breakneck growth.