Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu sounds alarm over alcohol addiction in rural India, calls for ‘mass movement’

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, recently took to social media to highlight the devastating impact of alcohol addiction on families in rural India, especially in the southern regions. Through a video post, Vembu shared the story of a sanitation worker in Tenkasi who is struggling to support her family while struggling with the consequences of her children’s alcohol addiction. Her situation, Vembu noted, is representative of the many women she encounters during her travels through rural areas. These women, often the primary breadwinners, are burdened with the stress of supporting their families in the face of addiction and neglect.

Vembu emphasized the need for a mass movement to address alcohol abuse, warning that many women are at a breaking point. “We need a mass movement against alcohol – these women are reaching a breaking point,” she said in a post.

How Internet users reacted

Many netizens agreed with Zoho’s CEO. Alcohol addiction has become a major social and economic burden in several southern states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, many netizens pointed out. The widespread availability of alcohol, along with the normalization of consumption in movies and entertainment, has exacerbated the problem, others said.

Liquor shops in Tamil Nadu often have long queues, pointed out some netizens. Despite the destructive impact on families, alcohol remains a major source of revenue for state governments, creating a paradox where economic incentives conflict with public welfare, others noted.

For families like the one highlighted by Vembu, the consequences of addiction are serious, pointed out some netizens. Women from low-income households often take on grueling jobs such as domestic work to support their families, they said, noting that even income is often stolen by male family members to finance alcohol consumption . Financial strain, along with emotional and physical abuse, creates a cycle of poverty and despair, they said. Some also pointed out that the sale of alcohol generates substantial tax revenue, especially in states like Kerala where industrial activity is limited. This dependence on alcohol revenue creates a challenge for governments, balancing economic needs with social responsibility. Others criticized the cultural normalization of alcohol consumption among wealthier sectors of society, which has a trickle-down effect on vulnerable communities. The discussion also drew attention to smuggling issues, with several participants noting that outright banning alcohol could lead to illegal trade, exacerbating the problem rather than solving it.

Vembu’s broader perspective on employee well-being

Beyond his advocacy against alcohol abuse, Sridhar Vembu has been a vocal advocate of rethinking work practices to reduce stress and promote long-term well-being. Drawing on his experience as a seasoned entrepreneur, Vembu has warned against the unsustainable pressures employees face in modern corporate environments. It highlights the loneliness, long commutes and high-stress working conditions prevalent in big cities, which push people to their emotional limits.

According to Vembu, these accumulated stressors act as a “pressure cooker” that can break individuals. In these environments, employees face burnout, isolation and deteriorating mental health. Vembu’s solution is to promote a balanced approach to work and family life that enables people to sustain their careers for the long term.

Dr. Sridhar Vembu holds a degree in electrical engineering from IIT Madras and later a Ph.D. from Princeton University. After his PhD, he worked as a systems design engineer at Qualcom. Later, he co-founded AdventNet as one of India’s first software product companies, which was later renamed Zoho.