A serious controversy has erupted on social media after startup CEO Vinayak Sarawagi shared his frustration over an intern rejecting monthly stipend of ₹10,000. The post basically questioned the expectations and work ethic of the candidate. But the post backfired and sparked heated debate about fair compensation for interns. Many labelled the offer inadequate for covering basic living expenses in cities.
Sarawagi responded to the criticism with an open letter. He briefed his perspective as well as the context for offering a low stipend. He said that his company operates on limited resources and also it is funded by himself. He highlighted some non-monetary benefits like flexible work hours and remote opportunities which are designed to suit students who are balancing both college and work. He expressed disappointment at being labeled as a “zamindar” and emphasized that his intent was never to exploit but to provide opportunities within his constraints.
The CEO added that some candidates view the stipend as insufficient while others have been more appreciative of the learning opportunity. He talked about holding no grudge against the candidate and wished all the success.
The incident opened up discussions on the fairness of internship compensation in India. Some recognized the financial challenges being faced by early-stage startups and many argued that ₹10,000 is too low to be reasonable in urban areas. Internships are meant to be a balance between learning and fair compensation. The balance is often difficult to achieve as startups are competing for talent under financial constraints.
The conversation reflects a larger issue in employment ecosystem. Young professionals expect fair pay while startups grapple with limited budgets.
