No suit, no tie: Sridhar Vembu boards Japan's bullet train in a traditional veshti | Watch

Tech billionaire and Zoho Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu is once again making headlines. This time not for a product launch or a business deal, but for staying true to his roots.

A photo of the Padma Shri awardee travelling on Japan's famous Shinkansen in a traditional South Indian veshti (dhoti) and shirt has gone viral on social media. Surrounded by commuters in one of the world's most modern transport systems, Vembu looked completely at ease in attire that reflects his Tamil heritage.

The image has hit all the right chords online, with many praising him for embracing Indian tradition without compromising on comfort or confidence.

A Japan trip with a bigger purpose

Vembu's visit to Japan is far more than a business tour.

Before leaving, he revealed that his goal is to build partnerships between small and medium-sized companies in rural Japan and businesses in small-town and rural India.

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"The agenda is to partner with small to mid-sized companies in small town Japan and bring them to small town and rural India," he wrote on social media.

According to Vembu, the idea is to revive India's rich tradition of craftsmanship by connecting local talent with Japanese manufacturers known for their precision and quality. He believes many family-run businesses in rural Japan share values that closely align with India's centuries-old artisan communities.

Inspired by Japan's 'Takumi' culture

The initiative has also been shaped by Vembu's longtime friend Britto, a Madurai native who spent decades working in Japan before founding Takumi Motion Controls.

Vembu said the two bonded over their admiration for Japan's "Takumi" philosophy—a word that translates to "craftsman" and reflects the country's deep respect for skilled workmanship.

Their shared vision is to create opportunities for rural communities in both countries through manufacturing, engineering and craftsmanship.

For those who have followed Vembu over the years, the viral photo comes as no surprise.

In 2020, he left Silicon Valley and moved to Mathalamparai, a village in Tamil Nadu's Tenkasi district. Since then, he has championed Zoho's "Work from Village" model, setting up technology hubs in rural areas to create jobs closer to home.