I get what he's trying to say, but the rant is far too sophomoric.<p>> These relatives are probably the ones whose kids would have done “nothing” in their lives<p>The point could have been made without insulting their kids.<p>> One of my ex girlfriend had started talking about marriage barely when we had graduated ... Of course, she’s happily married and I, having failed 2 startups in the past, am still building another startup! (I hope this post reaches you, lady!)<p>> In another relationship, [my girlfriend] asked “Abhinav, hum ghar kab lenge?” [Abhinav, when will we buy a home?] That day itself I knew – she wasn’t the one! No wonder that relationship didn’t last long.(I am quite sure you’re reading this!)<p>Nothing classier than getting on an internet soapbox to tell your exes they were wrong.<p>> one such highly respected family member told me to look for a career in animation, back in 2007-08. Recently, I met him at another family gathering a few months back and he said “tum animation me kuch kyu nahi try karte?” [Why don't you try something in animation?] I was like…dude? You are still the same! Your thoughts are still stuck where they were 4-5 years back!<p>The author has, as of that moment, been involved in two failed startups and is working on the third. The other guy, doubting the author's ability to win the startup lottery, helpfully suggests a career in a rapidly-growing industry.<p>Author's response: Make fun of him for suggesting the same industry twice. Wat.
There is such thing as having 'enough' in life. For many people, having a mediocre job is OK if you can simply take care of your family, and have a happy home life.<p>I for one, will never judge anyone who chooses happiness and life balance over career success.
To be fair, I don't think the author expected the rant to be critically analyzed at HN. He probably just wanted to vent, share some anecdotes and move on - won't be happening now.<p>Either way, what he said is not completely untrue. Obviously India has a very family oriented culture. A lot of educated young people are first generation educated, and thereby there are always expectations. Expectations, that are not just limited to settling down but that also lean towards making people risk averse. Times are changing, but the hangover of the days when people used to join one company right after college (preferably a government job) and retire after 40 years are still here.<p>Couple that with the fact that our higher education system is pretty much a mess, with very little directly applicable skills taught. And you can see why such questions are part & parcel of life if you have been out of college for 3-4 years.<p>Not all bad though, the big cities are seeing an enormous number of startup events. I cover startups and have seen very passionate student startups coming out of even Tier2/3 colleges and there are plenty of incubators/accelerators around.<p>If you are a young aspiring entrepreneur, you will have far more complex things to worry about than an occasional relative asking, "When are you getting married"
Why do Indian devs feel compelled to blame their parents, families, wives, society for everything?<p>Come on guys, this is 2013 and not 2005. There are tons of product startups in Delhi/Bangalore/Pune/Chennai. If you don't find one that works for you, start one on your own.<p>Sure India isn't the US or Israel. But neither is it the India of 10 years back. <i>Carpe diem!</i>
I long for the days, long past gone, when people waited to be successful in their endeavors before stepping up onto a soap box to tell us why everyone is wrong for not embracing the same lifestyle as them.
I'm not sure that this is specific to India - I think there's an obvious incompatibility between taking on financial responsibility for others and the level of risk inherent in start-ups.<p>The difference may just be that Indian's marry younger so it kicks in earlier.
saying that marriage and kids discourages entrepreneurship, is not entirely correct. think it depends on the person, yes your risk profile changes once you are married, and some would be discouraged. not all will be, I quit my job for a startup with a 1 year old daughter. Granted I had saved up to last me 6 months though its not enough.<p>The challenge however is when your wife has a different risk profile, 3 months in of living on the bare minimum, eating noodles/beans everyday she may convince you to get a real job. The challenges faced my married entrepreneurs are different, you have to manage the expectations and sell them on the dream. If your partner is not sold, it can cause probs in the marriage.<p>Also it can be a serious motivator, you will do anything hustle your way to makr sure you can at least eat and pay the rent.
I couldn't agree more. Dude, I am going through the same. Here is my solution.
Flat := I am not buying one. Life-long-renting rocks.
Marriage := No marriage till my business settles.
Family := My parents understand what I am doing. And I don't give a shit about anyone else.
Most of it is true.<p>I would want to add that our education system does not support/encourage a start-up/business/creative mindset.<p>Even today, most of the bachelors degree courses are oriented towards teaching for and endorsing high grades (just to qualify for jobs and PG entrance exams) rather than developing critical thinking.
A bit immature, shall I say? Everybody finds their own mojo in life, for some it is entrepreneurship. You will not be successful just by being in a profession, you have to be outstanding in that profession. Understand and appreciate other's choices. Entrepreneurship needs some wisdom too.