When Idiots Become Idols – The Death of Ambition in the Age of Indian Influencers
We are witnessing the greatest tragedy of our time, where the next generation of Indian students—once celebrated for their grit, academic excellence, and obsession with white-collar careers—are ditching books and brains for the circus act that is influencer culture. Gone are the days when Indian youth dreamed of building rockets, coding billion-dollar apps, or at least becoming the next big auditor. Now, they dream of chai theatrics, vadapav dramatics, and viral catchphrases. What an upgrade for a country aspiring to be a global superpower.
Today, we don’t celebrate intelligence, effort, or achievement. No, no. Those are so passé. Instead, we bow down to influencers whose sole contribution to society is managing to go viral. Why slog through years of education when fame is just a quirky video away? And here lies the problem: young students are no longer inspired by scientists or engineers; they’re inspired by people whose claim to fame is, well, nothing meaningful.
Take Dolly Chaiwala, for instance. A man whose dramatic chai-selling antics somehow catapulted him into internet stardom. Not because of the quality of his tea or his entrepreneurial vision, but because exaggeration is apparently the new measure of success. And in a move that defies all logic, Bill Gates—a man who revolutionized the world through innovation—decided to collaborate with him. Yes, Bill Gates thought it wise to align himself with chai theatrics. One can only hope this was some sort of social experiment because the alternative is too depressing to contemplate.
Then there’s Puneet Superstar, a man whose antics have turned absurdity into a business model. His entire act revolves around screaming into a camera, engaging in bizarre behavior, and cashing in on the chaos. Yet, his popularity is skyrocketing, and brands are throwing money at him like confetti. And why wouldn’t they? After all, it’s far easier to back someone outrageous than to support real talent.
And let’s not forget the Viral Vadapav Girl, whose enthusiasm for serving snacks was so over-the-top that it became her ticket to fame. Imagine the thousands of street vendors across India who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses but remain invisible. Meanwhile, Vadapav Girl gets her fifteen minutes of fame for adding unnecessary drama to chutney. It’s not entrepreneurship; it’s a circus.
Or consider Ranu Mandal, whose soulful rendition of a song turned her into an overnight sensation. For a moment, she became the darling of the internet and even landed a Bollywood opportunity. But as quickly as she rose, she fell. Fame faded, memes replaced admiration, and she was left with nothing but the ghost of her brief stardom. The message to young Indians? You don’t need perseverance or education; all you need is one viral moment.
But let’s not put all the blame on these influencers. They are merely the symptoms. The real disease is the brands. These companies—once proud supporters of innovation and creativity—are now funding this circus of mediocrity. Why sponsor a scientist or a teacher when a gimmick can get you millions of impressions? Brands are the enablers, turning influencers into commodities and normalizing the idea that viral fame is the pinnacle of success.
And it’s not just the influencers and brands. We, the audience, are equally guilty. Every like, share, and comment on this kind of content feeds the monster. We reward ridiculousness and ridicule effort. We celebrate mediocrity while ignoring the hardworking, talented individuals who deserve recognition.
The result? A generation that no longer aspires to build, innovate, or create. Students are now chasing shortcuts instead of substance. They are trading dreams of professional careers for fantasies of becoming the next viral sensation. Education, once seen as a ladder to success, is now seen as an unnecessary burden.
To the young students of India: wake up. This is not the path to greatness. Viral fame is fleeting. Today’s internet sensation is tomorrow’s forgotten meme. Education and hard work, on the other hand, are enduring. They are the keys to a life of dignity and purpose. Don’t trade your future for likes and views. Build something real, something that will outlast trends and hashtags.
And to the brands: it’s time to stop glorifying this circus. Invest in real talent. Support young scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs. Be the reason someone aspires to innovate, not imitate.
India’s future cannot be built on vadapavs and chai theatrics. It must be built on intelligence, effort, and ambition. Let’s inspire the next generation to aim higher, to dream bigger, and to understand that true success comes not from going viral, but from making a real, lasting impact on the world.
