You know that awkward moment when someone brings up inequality at a family dinner, and everyone suddenly finds their dal very interesting? Yeah, that’s what Ravikant Kisana is forcing us to stop doing.
The entrepreneur and thought leader recently opened up about privilege and the uncomfortable conversations Indians need to have but usually don’t. His take? We’re great at ignoring systemic advantages that benefit some of us while holding others back.
What’s striking is how relatable this feels for most of us. Whether you grew up in a metro or a smaller town, went to a fancy school or studied in Hindi medium—these realities shape everything about our opportunities. Yet we rarely talk about it openly.
Why We Avoid These Conversations
Kisana points out that acknowledging privilege feels uncomfortable because it often comes with guilt or defensiveness. If you had advantages, admitting it might feel like you didn’t deserve your success. If you didn’t have them, talking about it can sound like complaining.
This silence hurts everyone. We can’t address gaps we refuse to see. Whether it’s hiring practices, educational opportunities, or even social circles, pretending everyone starts from the same line is just dishonest.
The real conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness. Understanding how circumstances beyond our control affect our paths helps us build fairer systems going forward.
What This Means for India Right Now
In a country as diverse as ours, these conversations matter more than ever. India’s growing startup ecosystem, corporate world, and educational institutions are increasingly global. But internally, we’re still operating with old assumptions.
Kisana’s willingness to talk about this publicly is significant because privilege conversations usually happen in hushed tones, if at all. By bringing it into the open, he’s giving others permission to think critically about their own advantages and disadvantages.
Young professionals especially are starting to ask tougher questions. Why are certain backgrounds overrepresented in leadership? Why do some people get access to networks and mentors while others don’t? These aren’t comfortable questions, but they’re necessary ones.
The uncomfortable truth Kisana emphasizes is simple: acknowledging privilege doesn’t make you a bad person. Ignoring it does. It’s the difference between recognizing a system and perpetuating it.
As India continues its rapid transformation—economically and socially—how we handle these conversations will define what kind of opportunities actually become available to everyone. That’s not just philosophy; it’s practical.
The ball is in our court now. The next time this topic comes up at your dinner table or office meeting, maybe it’s worth having the awkward conversation instead of returning to your dal.