A Delhi-based entrepreneur ignited a firestorm with a tweet flaunting his $5,00,000 (Rs 4.20 crore) annual earnings and crediting his success to hard work and sacrifices made in his youth.
In the now-viral post, Kushal Arora, 23, shared, “I'm 23yrs old earning over $5,00,000 annually. When students of my age were partying & chilling, I was: - Having sleepless nights working - Missing social events - Dealing with failures/rejection - Losing work-life balance but I chose that. Are you building your dream life?”
Arora further revealed that he began working at the age of 14; he now runs a marketing company KAP Digital.
While his tweet aimed to motivate, it sparked backlash, with several users accusing him of glorifying hustle culture and creating unnecessary pressure for young people to equate their worth with financial success.
One X user responded, “You lived your life, they are living theirs. Not everyone dreams of earning so much, stop making it a fancy show off.” In response to this criticism, Arora maintained his stance, replying, “I am just sharing my journey of retiring my parents when I was just 19. If that’s creating any pressure on the youth, they can happily mute my content. But my target audience is youth looking for motivation.”
The online discourse that followed included mixed reactions. Some users supported Arora’s message, commending his dedication and drive. “Kudos to you for setting a great example to this generation,” one user commented, praising Arora for his achievements.
However, others were less impressed, with one remarking, “People and their urge to become ‘motivators.’ No, you did whatever suited you. Could you not push it on others?”
The debate expanded beyond Arora’s tweet, with users weighing in on broader societal issues surrounding the pressure to succeed at a young age, especially in the age of social media.
“I was partying at that age and now earning more than what you have mentioned,” wrote one user, pointing out that success takes various forms and timelines.
Arora had earlier tweeted: “I made my first crore when I was 21, without any fancy degree or mentor."
The exchange has drawn attention to a larger cultural conversation about hustle culture, financial success, and the impact of such messages on younger generations.
The viral tweet highlights a growing trend where young entrepreneurs and influencers share their success stories, often with the intent to inspire. However, the responses reveal the divide between those who believe in the hustle-at-all-costs mentality and those who advocate for balance, prioritising mental health and a more rounded approach to life.
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