Back in 2013-14, for every little more than a middle class, parents wanted their child to migrate abroad, either US, Canada or Australia. I was also a small part of that folktale.
Had a phase where I had an admit in one of the “good university” for an Automation Masters degree, and in those times, I was stucked not only in a transition from an engineering degree to a management professional but on a personal front as well. Times were not easy as I was diving in the ocean of the real world for the first time. I was figuring out things what I wanted and people whom I wanted to stay with. I declined stating no logical reason, just going with my instincts. I still remember very clearly, my father was very upset with this decision and told me just make sure that you don’t regret this.
Startup world had just started blossoming in the Indian markets. Funding wave was about to start. The universe had plans for me. My family didn’t knew that a word called start-up exists, while I was researching for jobs in the startups. I had to explain them what it was, I still don’t know how successful was I in that task. But I moved to the Powai Valley in the world of startups, taking a beautiful opportunity in my hands, with my father’s words in my mind.
Took risks and focussed only on improving myself. Things started shaping up. My curious mind started to work at almost 5X pace. I got support from all sides and I started growing. One of my teacher, back in my school days used to stay – Grow wherever you are planted. The journey began and today, slowly but steadily, it is becoming a ride to remember.
Yesterday, was again a big day for the startup community as India touched 100 unicorns.
12X growth in unicorns – from 8 in 2015 to 100 in 2022 adding $1.2T to the Indian economy. Who could have imagined? Atleast, I didn’t. People are coming back from abroad to startup. I strongly feel I should give back to the nation. May be that was one of the things that prompted my instincts for not moving abroad. The tables have turned and I must admit time is a beautiful thing. Last year, India witnessed a record 44 unicorns and this year, in the first four months, the nation has already seen 14 unicorns. I am damn sure, we will surpass last year’s number.
India is surely on the right path with a strong, intelligent and a progressive mindset human resource force on its back. All of us are writing a story of our own that the generations will remember. And together, it will be a beautiful anthology.
Believe in yourself and your instincts. They somehow know what you really want. I feel proud connecting the dots backwards. And this is just the beginning.
As our Honorable PM, Narendra Modi said, we have a million problems, but at the same time, we have over a billion minds!
