Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal shares insights on achieving work-life balance
PTC News Desk: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal is once again in the media spotlight following a recent heated exchange with comedian Kunal Kamra. This time, it’s not for a current event but rather for a viral clip from an old interview where Aggarwal discussed his unconventional views on work-life balance. The clip, which has resurfaced, features Aggarwal expressing that the concept of weekends off—specifically Saturday and Sunday—is not inherently Indian but a “Western cultural import.”
In his interview with YourStory last year, Aggarwal stated, “I don’t think work-life balance is the right construct. Again, it’s a contrarian view. There will be people who will disagree with me.” He elaborated, saying, “Many people will disagree with me, but I believe… let me take a historical perspective first and then I will tell you… the philosophy I live by. This Saturday-Sunday is not an Indian thing. This is a Western thing.”
Dollar funding is also a western concept 😉 pic.twitter.com/tbTasydKyB
— Shantanu Goel (@shantanugoel) July 11, 2024
Aggarwal went on to explain that traditional Indian culture did not observe weekends in the way many do today. “In India, we never had Saturdays and Sundays,” he noted. He referenced the lunar calendar and pointed out that holidays were determined based on that, with typically one or two days off per month. He traced the modern workweek’s origins back to the industrial revolution, claiming that it was a concept imported from the West.
Do indian consumers have a voice?
Do they deserve this?
Two wheelers are many daily wage workers lifeline…@nitin_gadkari is this how Indians will get to using EV’s? @jagograhakjago any word?
Anyone who has an issue with OLA electric leave your story below tagging all… https://t.co/G2zdIs15wh pic.twitter.com/EhJmAzhCmt— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 6, 2024
The resurgence of this interview clip comes just days after a public spat between Aggarwal and Kamra. The comedian shared a photo depicting numerous electric scooters parked at an Ola service center, questioning whether Indian consumers were being heard and whether they deserved better service. He highlighted the importance of two-wheelers as essential transportation for many daily wage workers, inviting others with complaints about Ola Electric to share their experiences.
❤️ @VC2809 pic.twitter.com/Ts7RR7mwjB
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 5, 2024
Aggarwal responded sharply, labelling Kamra’s post as a “paid tweet” and challenging him to contribute positively to the situation instead of criticizing. “Since you care so much (Kunal Kamra), come and help us out! I’ll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. We’re expanding the service network fast, and backlogs will be cleared soon,” he retorted.
Also Read: Historic first-ever Durga puja celebrations at New York’s Times Square captivate the internet
This exchange escalated, with Kamra firing back by sharing a clip of his stand-up comedy and taking aim at Aggarwal’s comments. “On my failed comedy career, here’s a clip from last year when I surprised an audience… Anything else you arrogant, substandard prick,” he wrote.
Bhavish Agarwal who thought Sunday should be a working day,
Worked Yesterday to prove himself wrong…— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 7, 2024
In further developments, Kamra suggested that Ola should issue a total refund to any customers dissatisfied with their Ola electric vehicles, responding to the ongoing debate over the company’s service quality.
On October 7, Kamra added fuel to the fire on social media, writing, “Bhavish Aggarwal, who thought Sunday should be a working day, worked yesterday to prove himself wrong…”
Adding to the turmoil, Ola Electric has recently received a show-cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over alleged violations of consumer rights, misleading advertising, and unfair trade practices. According to a regulatory filing from the company, the notice was received via email on October 7, 2024, indicating that the CCPA is scrutinizing Ola Electric’s practices closely.
In its filing, Ola Electric stated that the notice was issued by the CCPA for the alleged infractions, further complicating the company’s current challenges amid ongoing public discussions regarding its service and operational practices. As the company navigates this turbulent period, the fallout from Aggarwal’s controversial views on work-life balance and the spat with Kamra highlights broader discussions on corporate culture in India.
Also Read: CJI reflects on two-year tenure: ‘I gave my fullest every day’ as retirement approaches