Industrialist Harsh Goenka recently posted a tweet sharing tips on building small daily habits for long-term success. He suggested saving ₹600 daily, reading 20 pages a day, and walking 10,000 steps. While his message was meant to inspire people, many on social media felt his advice was disconnected from the financial struggles faced by millions of Indians.
Goenka’s tweet read, “Saving ₹600 per day = ₹2,19,000 per year. Reading 20 pages per day = 30 books per year. Walking 10,000 steps per day = 70 marathons per year. Never underestimate the power of small habits.” Some people agreed with his points, but many pointed out that for most Indians, saving ₹600 a day is simply not possible.
The Reality of Income Inequality In India
Many social media users quickly pointed out that most Indians can’t afford to save ₹600 per day. One person commented, “How much is the daily income of an ordinary citizen? Can he save ₹600 per day after his daily expenses?”
This is a valid concern. In India, a large portion of the population struggles to earn even ₹600 daily. Another person added, “In India, 90% of people cannot earn ₹600 daily, and you are asking them to save ₹600?” Several people also reminded Goenka that many Indians live on government-provided free ration, with one user saying, “81 crore people in India live on free ration, which means they fall even below the minimum wage earning.”
Some users felt that Goenka’s advice was out of touch with reality, especially since he comes from a wealthy background. One user said, “Wealth disparity at its finest. India’s 76th richest man, due to generational wealth, advises other Indians to save more than India’s average income.”
Calls for Fairer Corporate Practices
Some users also used the opportunity to raise concerns about corporate responsibility in India. If saving ₹600 per day is such a great habit, why aren’t companies paying their employees enough to do that?
One person tweeted, “All businesses in India should start by evaluating how many of their employees earn less than ₹1,200 per day. Then let’s bring their earnings to a minimum of ₹1,200 per day so they can save ₹600 per day and live a basic life.”
Others questioned if regular employees even have time to build habits like reading 20 pages or walking 10,000 steps. “After office, chores, and other responsibilities, I don’t find any time to read a book or pursue a hobby,” said one user.
Another sarcastically added, “Corporate Employees POV: 1) Provide additional allowance of ₹600/day = ₹2,19,000/year. 2) Allow peace of mind to read 20 pages/day = 30 books/year. 3) Encourage work-life balance by providing time for walking 10,000 steps/day = 70 marathons/year.”
Can Good Habits Be Built Without Financial Stability?
While some users agreed that building small habits like saving and walking can lead to positive results, they also noted that such routines require financial security. One person tweeted, “The magic of compounding is also invisible in this counting. A habit done with a lot of consistency gives a lot more than linear results.”
However, for many Indians, saving ₹600 or walking 10,000 steps daily might seem like a distant dream. Another user pointed out, “In India, 90% of people cannot earn ₹600 daily and you are asking them to save ₹600?”
A more critical tweet said, “See on ground before dreaming any thoughts. Majority of Indians are struggling to earn ₹600 per day and you are talking about saving ₹600?” This underlines the big gap between what is being advised and what is realistically possible for many.
Read More: Should Luxury Shaming Happen In India Too, Like In China?
What Does The Numbers Say?
Income inequality in India is one of the most pressing economic issues today, with a small elite holding a disproportionately large share of the country’s wealth. According to a 2022 Oxfam report, the top 10% of India’s population holds 77% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50% owns only 13%. The wealthiest 1% alone commands more than 40% of total wealth.
This growing disparity is evident in both rural and urban settings, where daily wages and access to essential services like healthcare and education are vastly different depending on socio-economic backgrounds. The average monthly income of a household in India’s poorest 20% is around ₹3,000, making it virtually impossible for these families to save ₹600 daily, as suggested by Goenka.
Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that over 176 million people in India still live below the poverty line, earning less than ₹160 a day. This income gap not only limits financial savings but also restricts access to opportunities that allow for upward mobility, such as quality education or healthcare.
In urban centres, while some workers in corporate sectors enjoy rising salaries, the informal sector—accounting for 90% of India’s workforce—sees stagnating wages and precarious working conditions. These factors collectively underscore that while good financial habits are beneficial, they are a luxury for those who struggle to meet basic needs.
Without addressing systemic inequalities, such advice will continue to be out of reach for the majority of the population.
Harsh Goenka’s tweet, although well-intended, ended up shining a light on a serious issue in India—income inequality. While small, consistent habits are a great way to improve one’s life, it’s important to remember that not everyone is in a position to adopt such habits. For millions of Indians, saving ₹600 daily is just not realistic.
The discussion that followed Goenka’s tweet also brought up the need for better wages and work-life balance in India. After all, it’s much easier to build good habits when people are paid fairly and have time for themselves. The lesson? Good advice only works when it’s relevant to the audience you’re speaking to.
Sources: Money Control, NDTV, News 18
This post is tagged under: Income Inequality, Financial Struggles, Wealth Disparity, Economic Justice, Save Money, India Economy, Equal Opportunities, Financial Literacy, Work-Life Balance, Social Issues, India Growth Story, Middle-Class Struggles, Wealth Gap, Living Wage, Small Habits Big Changes
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