As someone who has worked in various companies across India, I can say that yes, Indian workplaces are the worst for creative professionals. From my experience, the corporate culture here often prioritizes hierarchy and conformity over innovation and creativity.
In many places, there's a strong emphasis on following established protocols and sticking to the tried and tested methods. This can be really frustrating for someone who wants to think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the table. I've often found myself in situations where my creative suggestions were dismissed simply because they didn't align with the traditional way of doing things.
Moreover, the work environment can be quite rigid. There's a special focus on long working hours and face time, which leaves little room for creative thinking. Creativity needs a certain amount of freedom and flexibility, but the typical 9 to 5 grind, or more like 9 to 9 in some cases, doesn't really allow for that.
Another issue is the lack of encouragement and support for creative endeavours. In my experience, managers are more concerned with meeting short-term goals and targets rather than fostering a culture of innovation. This can be really demotivating for someone who thrives on creativity and wants to make a meaningful impact.
Of course, this isn't the case everywhere. There are some companies that do value creativity and provide a supportive environment for creative professionals. But, in my opinion, these are more the exception than the rule.
So, to sum it up, while there are opportunities for creative professionals in India, the overall work culture can be quite stifling and may not always be conducive to fostering creativity.