Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu drew a striking parallel between dedicated engineers and ancient Indian sages, describing their pursuit of knowledge and innovation as a modern form of spiritual discipline. His remarks came while discussing the technological depth behind Zoho’s messaging platform, Arattai, which he said reflects years of research, experimentation, and engineering craftsmanship.

Engineering as a Modern-Day Discipline

Vembu compared the mindset of committed engineers to that of Rishis—figures known for their devotion to learning and discovery. He explained that true engineering goes beyond coding or product design; it involves a deep curiosity and an enduring commitment to solving complex problems. According to him, this dedication mirrors the meditative focus and intellectual rigor associated with ancient seekers of wisdom.

The Vision Behind Arattai

In his remarks, Vembu highlighted Arattai as a prime example of Zoho’s long-term investment in research and development. The messaging platform, he noted, is built upon a robust technological foundation that has evolved over decades. By leveraging frameworks developed internally over many years, Zoho has created a product that combines reliability with innovation—qualities that reflect the company’s philosophy of building technology from first principles rather than relying on external shortcuts.

Fifteen Years of Messaging Framework Evolution

Vembu revealed that Arattai operates on a messaging and audio-visual framework that has been in development for 15 years. This long-term effort underscores Zoho’s approach to software creation—one rooted in patience, iteration, and continuous improvement. The framework supports real-time communication features while maintaining security and performance standards essential for large-scale enterprise use.

A Distributed System Two Decades in the Making

Beyond its messaging core, Arattai also draws on a distributed computing framework developed by Zoho over 20 years ago. This system enables efficient data management across multiple servers and ensures stability even under heavy user loads. Vembu emphasized that such enduring infrastructure is the result of sustained internal R&D rather than short-term outsourcing or rapid prototyping. The longevity of these frameworks demonstrates how foundational engineering work can power new innovations long after their inception.

Commitment to Innovation Through In-House Development

Zoho’s approach reflects its broader philosophy of technological self-reliance. By developing its own frameworks and platforms instead of depending on third-party tools, the company maintains full control over performance, privacy, and scalability. Vembu suggested that this independence allows engineers to innovate freely—an environment where creativity thrives alongside discipline, much like the contemplative practice he associates with Rishis.

Through his analogy, Sridhar Vembu offered more than just praise for his team; he articulated a vision of engineering as both an intellectual pursuit and a moral calling. His comments highlight how sustained commitment to research can yield products like Arattai—built not merely for functionality but as expressions of craftsmanship honed over decades. In aligning modern engineering with timeless principles of focus and dedication, Vembu reaffirmed Zoho’s identity as a company driven by purpose as much as by technology.