SBI employees gives Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia the most unexpected shoutout for his legacy

Time of India

11-07-2025

Sparking Nostalgia and Online Reactions
— sabeer (@sabeer)
A Lasting Legacy Remembered
About Sabeer Bhatia
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia recently received an unexpected and touching show of appreciation from staff at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch. Bhatia, who had simply visited the bank to handle routine matters related to his account, shared a series of photographs from the visit on social media. The images captured the bank's employees warmly welcoming him with a shawl, garland, and smiles — a gesture that seemed to take him completely by surprise.In a brief caption accompanying the photos posted on X (formerly Twitter), Bhatia remarked that he had only gone to the branch for some account-related work but was met with immense kindness. He expressed gratitude to the SBI staff, stating that the photographs conveyed the heartfelt nature of the interaction.Following the post, social media users flocked to the comments, sharing a mix of admiration, humor, and observations. One user noted that Bhatia's VIP status likely contributed to the warm treatment, to which Bhatia politely responded, acknowledging that the recognition had been entirely unexpected.Another user questioned whether the SBI staff used Hotmail, prompting Bhatia to reveal that the employees had shared that their first email account was indeed on Hotmail. The remark stirred a sense of nostalgia among many users who reminisced about their early internet experiences.A few commenters pointed out common frustrations with public sector banks in India, particularly around staff availability. In response, Bhatia acknowledged that his experience at the branch had been seamless, adding that the staff were not only present but also incredibly helpful — even offering him a cup of coffee during the visit.While the interaction itself was brief, it reignited appreciation for Bhatia's contributions to the tech world. Many users expressed how Hotmail had transformed email communication for them. One individual reflected that Bhatia deserved more recognition for changing how people viewed digital correspondence, with Bhatia humbly thanking them for their sentiments.Some comments also joked about the optics of the event, comparing it to ceremonial garlanding by political leaders. Bhatia, however, emphasized again that the experience was a surprise and that he hadn't anticipated such a reception.Born in 1968, Sabeer Bhatia is an Indian-American entrepreneur best known for co-founding Hotmail in 1996. The service revolutionized web-based email by offering free access independent of internet service providers, aligning its launch with U.S. Independence Day to symbolize freedom. Bhatia led Hotmail as CEO until Microsoft acquired it in 1998.In recent years, Bhatia has continued his entrepreneurial journey with ventures such as ShowReel, a platform initially designed for job seekers and now evolving into an AI-powered entrepreneurship course.