Harsh Goenka Points To Changing Business Mindset In India: ‘Hard Work Seems To Be Diminishing’

RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka has raised concerns about a change in the way business and success are viewed in India. He believes hard work may no longer have the same value for some young business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Goenka also urged India’s business community to look beyond quick profits and focus on building companies for the long term. He said there is a need for more investment in research, new technology and industries that could shape the future.

Goenka Points To A Shift In Business Thinking

In a post on X, Goenka wrote, “Something deeper is changing in corporate India.” He said many young members of business families now seem more interested in earning passive income than taking on the challenges of running and growing companies.

“The value attached to hard work seems to be diminishing, many next-gen heirs prefer passive income to building factories and businesses, startups chasing delivery apps over deep tech, fights within and between businesses,” Goenka wrote.

He said India already has the talent and money needed to create strong businesses. However, he believes entrepreneurs need to bring back the drive to invest in research and areas that could play a major role in the future.

“India has the talent and capital but our entrepreneurs must rediscover the hunger to invest in R&D and areas of the future,” he said.

Users Debate What Is Changing Among Young Entrepreneurs

Goenka’s comments led to a wider discussion about changing goals among young Indians and members of business families.

A user wrote, “Absolutely. Comfort has its fallout – the hunger for success is lost! The goal for the younger generation seems to be lifestyle and money – not ‘making a difference’ or ‘leaving a legacy’. Need to re-ignite the spirit!!”

Another user took a different view, writing, “Not hard work, smart work! innate intelligence is reducing. if money is all that is needed to belong, that is all everyone will chase!! Every other person is a s/w engg, manager, hr, finance advisor, cab driver, delivery boy.. where are the others?”

“It’s sad what’s happening with old business families, their second generation is out of India doing some random job or living off passive income. It’s a churn I guess newer business houses will emerge. Universe doesn’t like vaccum,” another user said.

A further comment linked the issue to the challenges faced by businesses in India. “Have been feeling the same too. Was discussing with a friend from US who has been helping Startups and mentoring families. He said that the gen next do not want to handle the challenges which the previous generation faced. They feel that we still don’t have ease of doing business in several areas,” the user wrote.

Something deeper is changing in corporate India. The value attached to hard work seems to be diminishing, many next-gen heirs prefer passive income to building factories and businesses, startups chasing delivery apps over deep tech, fights within and between businesses. India has…

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) September 3, 2026

Some Users Focus On India’s Need For More Innovation

The discussion also turned to research and innovation in Indian companies. “Indian industry is not innovating anything that’s why they are stagnant,” one user commented.

Another wrote, “Rightly pointed sir, in ever changing world of technology the companies who invest in R&D will survive and progress. Our corporates are conservative with ‘Dalal’ mindset, they just know how to manage bottomline.”

Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.