‘Yeh leaders ko ho kya gaya hai’: Shark Tank India’s Namita Thapar reacts to Sridhar Vembu’s ‘marry in 20s’ advice

Explaining her comments, Namita Thapar lists two 'real' points on physical and professional challenges faced by women.

Namita Thapar defended her comments by emphasising the physical challenges women go through, such as menstruation phase starting at 11, pregnancy pain, and unsaid societal expectations (Image source: @namitathapar/Instagram)

Amid the debate over Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu’s advice for men and women to marry in their 20s “to do their demographic duty to society and their own ancestors”, Shark Tank India judge and entrepreneur Namita Thapar has shared her strong reaction, highlighting that women have to sacrifice in the name of duty compared to men.

In a video on X, Thapar defended her comments by emphasising the physical challenges women go through, such as the menstruation phase, pregnancy pain, and unsaid societal expectations. “What about our duty? Prioritising our (women’s) health, our needs, and our dreams. And, in that process, if we want to get married late, so be it. Yeh leaders ko ho kya gaya hai? (What has happened to the leaders?)” she said in the video.

Explaining her comments, Thapar listed two “real” points on physical and professional challenges faced by women. “A leader with influence has a huge responsibility to use his/ her voice responsibly to take up REAL issues. 10 min back, i was shocked to read about this “marry in your 20’s” gyan.. similar to another favourite number of mine – “70” hour work week !! Since u love numbers so much, I would like to suggest 2 real numbers you can give gyan on next time 1) 57% women have anemia 2) less than 20% women participate in the workforce & both numbers haven’t budged in years !!!! Would love to hear leaders do their DUTY towards us women by addressing these issues (I have many more if you find time after taking care of duty towards your ancestors),” she wrote.

See here:

A leader with influence has a huge responsibility to use his/ her voice responsibly to take up REAL issues. 10 min back, i was shocked to read about this “marry in your 20’s” gyan.. similar to another favourite number of mine – “70” hour work week !! Since u love numbers so much,… pic.twitter.com/it0yrVm4T6

— Namita (@namitathapar) November 20, 2025

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The post quickly gained traction, with several X users joining the debate. “Having a child while having an anemic condition is the worst for women’s health. Actually don’t have kids till the woman consistently has haemoglobin for 2 years of 12.0 gm/dl and above,” a user wrote. “This is women’s rights and duties turned upside down. I think one should aim for a harmonious life which cannot come with any sort of imbalance. The biological clock and hormonal basis real. So is the changed environment stress levels. It is upto us what we want and how much,” another user commented.

“Even 20s is late, why not on teen, when body is biologically ready, and marrying in closer place and relatives for physiological safety too, education and other things of interest can continue,” a third user reacted.