At the popular business reality show Shark Tank India, a Chennai-based entrepreneur has recently shared his unpleasant experience, claiming that he was not allowed to put forth his pitch on the show because of his poor Hindi.
Karthik Manikonda, an entrepreneur from Chennai, claims he was chosen for the national TV show Shark Tank India but was not permitted to present to the judges.
Karthik Manikonda is the founder of the mental health startup The Mind and Company, which offers therapy and counseling services. He disclosed that only candidates who speak Hindi fluently are accepted into Shark Tank India in a LinkedIn post published on March 7.
His request for permission to pitch in English was turned down by the producers, as per various media reports.
The Chennai man wrote in his LinkedIn post, "The Mind and Company?was selected for Shark Tank India, but was not allowed to pitch to the Sharks.
Reason:
I am not fluent in Hindi
Its a Hindi show
Its a national show
I proposed to allow me to pitch in English.
And I hear a Big NO.
Had they told me other reasons like
- Your scale is not big or
- This industry is too niche or
- You are not investment ready etc
I would have accepted. But I cant pitch in non Hindi language was a bummer.
I don't blame Shark Tank.
They have a format
They have to protect that
But regional startups shouldn't lose out due to the language barriers.
Any ideas how can this be solved?
- AI real time translation?
How do world political leaders communicate in their local language?
#Disappointed?but not out."??
Also Read:?Most?Shark Tank India?Season 3's Judges Are Sitting Deep In Losses
Hundreds of people have supported the post with supportive comments, urging Shark Tank India, a national show, to lift the Hindi-only restriction. He was questioned by some users as to why he was unable to bring a translator.?
¡°I get your point, i should have taken someone along who knows Hindi, Would have done that if the show was called Shark tank Hindi,¡± he responded to one such comment.
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