‘415 million Indians survive on ₹265/day’: Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia’s scathing attack prompts brutal backlash
Sabeer Bhatia faced criticism over his post on the Indian economy, with many questioning what he has done for the country.
In a scathing post, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia slammed India’s celebration of its economic ranking, claiming that over 415 people in the country survive on an income of ₹265 a day. His post has sparked an intense and heated debate on X, with most slamming the Indian-American entrepreneur.

“Instead of hanging your head in shame that 415 million people in India survive on $3.10/day, you brag about being the world’s 4th largest economy,” Bhatia wrote, adding, “Shame on you.”
Also Read: Hotmail’s Sabeer Bhatia in intense online spat over X post on India-Pakistan hostilities: 'Price a country pays for…’
Take a look at the post:
How did social media react?
“What happened to Rafael? You were supposed to gift the nation. Do something productive in life. As it looks, you are now dependent on Social Media for living,” an individual remarked. Bhatia responded, “Another personal attack. When losers like you don’t know how to counter my way of thinking, you resort to personal attacks. Weak minded and insecure.”
Another individual posted, “Come back to India and make something like Hotmail, I.e. pioneer something under your birthplace. Talents like yours run away on the 1st one-way flight when green grass is shown. The irony is that India produces such wasteful talents.”
Also Read: ‘You had no role in India’s progress’: Mohandas Pai shreds Indian-American millionaire over quality of life remarks
A third commented, “We, Indians living in India, don't need validation or permission from you to feel proud about something. And if you must know, please consult @WorldBank about facts before blabbering anything you wish!” A fourth wrote, “You have made your point. Now, instead of moving on, you sing the same song every day to farm engagement? Shame on you.” A few social media users, however, agreed with Bhatia’s tweet and expressed their opinions supporting him.
Sabeer Bhatia is an Indian-American businessman who co-founded Hotmail, which was later sold to Microsoft. He currently resides in California, USA.
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.Read More

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