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According to Wariko, a person should stop thinking about his struggles and focus entirely on work.
The post was not well received by many social media users. (Image source: X)
Influencer and entrepreneur Ankur Wariko is facing heavy criticism online over what has been described as “toxic” advice to a 25-year-old struggling under a Rs 40 lakh education loan.
When the person, whose identity remained unknown, mailed to Warikoo to share his ordeal, Warikoo advised them to figure things out on their own instead of seeking their father’s help.
“I went to the US for my master’s degree in fall 2022 and completed it, but I was unable to secure a full-time job that could sponsor me. I had to return to India in July 2025,” the person said, adding that they are currently working in a media company with a salary of Rs 56,000.
“I have an education loan worth around Rs 40,000. My monthly installment is Rs 45,000, rent is Rs 12,000, travel is Rs 3,000, and other expenses amount to around Rs 10,000. I somehow managed to put Rs 25,000 in my monthly installment, and my parents give me Rs 20,000 every month to help. I am 25 years old, which is terrible.” “I’m stuck like this,” the person said.
The person sought Warikoo’s help to get some clarity on his situation and what to do next.
I received an email this morning that I am going to the US for my master’s degree in fall 2022 and have completed it, but have not been able to secure a full-time position that can sponsor me. I had to return to India in July 2025. I joined a media company in Pune in September, but the salary is very low compared to… — Ankur Warikoo (@warikoo) December 6, 2025
The influencer responded: “If I were you, I wouldn’t ask my dad for help to figure things out. It would be very difficult and difficult – but it would leave you no choice but to overcome your difficulties.”
According to Wariko, a person should stop thinking about his struggles and focus entirely on work.
“Right now, the mental health you’re talking about is a privilege — because you have the option to think about your condition and feel bad about it,” he said.
Wariko also said he related to the person, noting that he too once felt ashamed and helpless with no safety net. He explained that survival left him no choice but to continue moving despite fear.
He concluded his post by saying, “You don’t realize how brave you are until courage becomes the only option available to you.”
Internet smoke based on Warikoo’s advice
The post was not well received by many social media users, who criticized Wariko, accusing him of giving insensitive and toxic advice to struggling youth.
One user commented: “Better to admit that you are not qualified to give advice than to provide such toxic poisoning to an impressionable and struggling young person…”
Another person said Wariko’s advice is like asking a person to fight with tied hands.
The user commented, “I asked him to fight with his hands tied. I tell him to untie the knots first, then pick up the appropriate weapon.”
“It was his fault for asking you for help,” another person wrote.
“The mental health hit is not a privilege, it is a trauma response to systemic failure and lying over a decade by counselors and colleges,” another user said, referring to the distress experienced by thousands of Indian students due to the recent shift in US policy on immigration.
Ankur Wariko and Postgraduate Studies
To give more context, Wariko himself was pursuing a PhD in physics at Michigan State University, which was financially supported by his father. But he dropped out of school at the age of 24 to return to India to help his family. He later completed his MBA from ISB instead.
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12 December 2025 at 5:17 PM IST
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