Business World | Rohini Nilekani On Mental Health, Its Role In India’s Growing Economy And The New Wealth Mindset

Philanthropist Rohini Nilekani reflects on India’s development journey, the importance of mental well-being and the role of ‘giving’ in a founder’s purpose.

In a candid conversation on the sidelines of the second edition of Manotsava — National Mental Health Festival 2025, author and famed philanthropist Rohini Nilekani reflects on India’s development journey and shares why true progress depends as much on mental well-being as on economic growth. She urges founders and leaders to build a culture of respect, balance and purposeful giving. Excerpts:

Every day we hear about India’s ambition to become a developed nation, with talk of multi-trillion-dollar growth targets and rapid progress across sectors. In that larger journey, where do you see mental health fitting in?

I believe that any nation can truly prosper only with its people, not despite them. It has to take its people along on that development journey, because ultimately, it’s for the people that we want to develop, not as some abstract idea.

That’s where the mental and physical health of the nation really comes into the picture. If you separate those needs from your idea of development, I think you can go down the wrong path very quickly.

If you look at countries like Finland or Sweden, some of the Scandinavian nations, they have very high per capita incomes, but their happiness quotient is also quite high. And when you travel there, you notice something interesting: while they are materially prosperous, their expression of that prosperity is quiet, not flashy. They are deeply connected to nature, to outdoor sports, to traditions. They look after their bodies and their minds. Maybe there’s something to learn from that. Our own history, culture and traditions already have those values built in. If we lose that in this race toward development, then I’d be afraid for our people.

Culturally, in India, we’re very work-oriented, most of us spend more time with our colleagues than even with our families. And when people are working such long, demanding hours, how do you personally approach maintaining mental well-being?

You know, there’s a lot of talk about work-life balance. But honestly, I don’t even want to use that phrase anymore. Sometimes, you just have to do the work that needs to be done. You can try to love that work. And yes, it can be hard to love it, but at the very least, whatever free time you do have, use it wisely.

I recognise that a certain stratum of the society doesn’t really have the luxury of leisure time. But for those who do, it’s important to make that time count. It is easy for me to say that now, as a grandmother. When I was younger, I’m not sure I was quite so wise!

But today, we have so much evidence piling up about burnout. We know what is happening in the digital age — constant screen time, the stress of being “always on.” And when our cities lack the public infrastructure that allows people to move, exercise or just breathe, we have a real problem. That is where society or samaaj has to play a strong role. People need to come together to demand better public spaces, better working conditions and a healthier environment. That’s how we begin to address this.

When young founders and entrepreneurs come into sudden wealth, they often struggle with how to use it meaningfully. How did you and Nandan (Nilekani) approach that question in your own lives?

I think for many young people who are coming into wealth very fast right now, there’s this big, open question: what do I do with my wealth? Do I buy something fancy and say, “dekho, look at me”? Or should I be more thoughtful about it?

It’s a very real question, and many young founders do ask it. Some even come up to Nandan (Nilekani) and me and ask, “How did you do it? Why did you choose this path?” And of course, everyone will have their own journey. But especially for first-generation wealth creators, there is a real opportunity to start giving back right from the beginning. And I see many of them beginning to do that, which I find really encouraging. Because honestly, I have received as much from my giving as the sectors I’ve worked in have gained from it. It’s intellectually stimulating, emotionally rewarding, and deeply satisfying, it fills the heart.

“I think giving back should become something founders think about early on — not as an afterthought, but as part of their larger purpose.”

Of course, if someone wants to buy yachts or islands, that’s their choice. Enjoy it if that brings you happiness. But I can tell you, I know plenty of people who have yachts and planes, and that’s not what truly gives them joy. After a while, it fades. Real, lasting joy comes from giving —of your wealth, but also of yourself. And there’s plenty of evidence from neuroscience now that shows exactly that.

You’ve been deeply involved in mental health advocacy through contributions to NIMHANS, NCBS and various forums, and you’ve also led with your contributions. What would be your advice to young founders and to senior leaders on how workplaces in 2025 can better prioritise mental health?

I think the younger generation is already talking about wanting shorter working hours and that’s interesting. We never even thought to ask for that! Back then, we just kept working; we didn’t really want to go home. As journalists, we were driven by the work itself.

But today’s generation wants to do other things too. There’s so much more to explore outside the workplace. And that’s something society will need to negotiate. The old trade unions that once mediated these discussions aren’t really around anymore, which I think is a societal loss. But I’m sure new forms of organising will emerge, ways for people to collectively decide what optimum working hours should look like.

Even within the workplace, though, what really matters is how people treat each other. Being treated with respect, as a human being, makes all the difference. It affects your self-esteem, your sense of worth, and even your performance. And I think it’s important to make a distinction here. It’s not about being indulged, it’s about being respected. That’s what truly counts.

This interview was published on the Business World.