'WhatsApp me': Eternal's Deepinder Goyal tells ex-employees after getting over 8,000 rehire emails

'If you used to work at Zomato, whether you chose to move on, or I was the one who asked you to leave, this is for you... I want you back,' Eternal founder Deepinder Goyal had shared on February 3.

Eternal founder and vice chairman Deepinder Goyal has issued a personal request to former colleagues: WhatsApp me if you worked with me directly and are waiting for a reply. The appeal follows an overwhelming response to his open call inviting ex-employees to return to the Eternal ecosystem, formerly Zomato. Earlier this month, Goyal had already asked alumni to reconnect as part of a broader outreach to those who once worked at the company.

In his latest X post, Goyal on Wednesday revealed that over the past week, he has received more than 8,000 emails on back@eternal.com. Around half of these came from people who had once been part of the Eternal–Zomato journey, while the rest were from individuals who had never worked at the company but wanted to. Each email, he said, carried “stories… full of emotions and honesty,” often referencing moments from five, ten or even fifteen years ago — histories the current Eternal team no longer has context for.

Going through every single one of over 8,000 emails: Goyal

The Eternal boss stressed that although the team is going through all the emails, the only person who can read, understand, and value them is him.

"The only person who can truly read these emails and know who to respond to is me," the Eternal bos said. "And it is not humanly possible for me to read through 8,000 emails, and pick and choose the right ones to respond to, quickly."

To cut through the backlog, Goyal asked those who worked with him directly and are awaiting a response to simply send him a message on WhatsApp. "If you worked with me directly, and you wrote in, and you are waiting for a reply, here is what will work quickly: find my number and WhatsApp me. Looking forward to reconnect," he concluded.

'We need people who already know what good looks like here'

In his address on February 3, Goyal highlighted the scale of opportunities at Eternal, and pointed to its expanded portfolio that now includes Zomato, Blinkit Quick-Commerce, Blinkit Ambulances, District, Hyperpure, Nugget, and Feeding India. “We need people who already know what good looks like here, and who care enough to fight for it. There is no better person for that than someone who has been here, left, grown, and wants to come back,” he had said.