The discussion on India’s innovation priorities has been rekindled by startup founders’ scathing responses to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh on April 3.

Goyal suggested that too many businesses were concentrating on food delivery and immediate logistics with no long-term economic impact, and he urged business owners to reconsider their value propositions. Instead of pushing limits in industries like semiconductors, robots, EVs, and battery technology—areas where Chinese companies are making strides, he added, many startups wind up using unemployed youngsters as cheap labor.

Not everyone missed his jab at “premier ice creams” and “instant grocery apps.” Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha defended the contribution of consumer internet companies to innovation and job creation in a strongly worded post on X.

When comparing Indian consumer internet businesses to the advanced technological capabilities being developed in the US and China, it is simple to criticize them. Palicha put it in writing. Read more »