""I run a small grocery store.""". Many will laugh at my answer, others will be surprised. Because there's another truth they know about me.
I am computer science gold medalist in IIT Bombay.
I still have an offer letter safe in my beer. That was an invitation from a company based in San Francisco. $240,000 (around ₹1.6 crores) salary per year. I didn't tear that answer up.. But never joined the job.
The beginning: poverty - the journey of dreams
Kidwai nagar in our kanpur. Two bedroom small sheet house. Father is railway clerk, mother is tuition. If the income of two people is combined, ₹10,000 per month will come.
My dad always used to say: "Dad, read as much as you want to." Don't worry about the money. "
I read this the hard way. Got 95% in 10th class and 97% in inter. Dad withdrew his provident fund money for coaching at Kota, mom sold her gold bangles. As a result of those sacrifices, I got a seat in IIT Bombay. That day my dad handed out candy all over the street. Mother cried, "My son will go to America."
The turn: a tough challenge
Did Google internship while studying at IIT. I bought washing machine for my mother with the first stipend I received. By the end of the final year, the American company got a job with a huge salary. I should board a plane in August 2016.
But the fate was something else.
Dad had a stroke in March. ₹3 lakhs spent for the operation. In the month of May, mother has hair cancer (Stage 2). All the money left has gone to hospitals. The situation where the house should be pawned.
I have an offer letter in my hand on one side... Hospital bills on the other hand. My dream will come true when I board the plane. But who's going to take care of my parents in the back? I was sitting on the deck that night watching the planes take off in the sky.
Cancelled my visa interview the next day. Mailed the company: "Due to family health reasons I am unable to attend. "
My friends called me crazy. Scolded for giving up such a big salary.
Grocery store - new life
Joined a small job in Kanpur with a salary of ₹35,000 per month. Office by day, hospital by evening. I couldn't bear seeing mom losing hair due to chemotherapy. After two years mom recovered and dad got better. But I lost my job because our company closed.
Offer came from Bangalore with ₹18 lakhs package. But I don't want to leave my parents. That's why I opened a small shop under my house: "Sharma General Store. "
IIT gold medalist was selling rice and pappu, everyone made fun of him. But I know, I do it for something. Started being in the shop during the day, freelance coding at night. I used to teach coding to poor kids in my spare time.
Success is not a salary... Satisfaction!
A student I taught in 2022 won the National Olympiad. The news that "IIT graduate is preparing students by running grocery shop" has gone viral. Meanwhile old America company CTO mailed me. They are starting an education project in India and asked me to lead.
This is how my life is going right now:
Early in the morning: grocery shopping
Afternoon: Teaching the children
Evening: work with global tech team
ము
Dad's 68th birthday celebration last month. `That day father said with tears: "My son did not go to America... But he's always there when I need him. `
Mama once asked, "Why did you still hide that old offer letter? " Ani.
"To remember what I left behind" I said with a smile.
Mother laughed, `You have not left anything Vivek... You choose your responsibility` present.
K.V.SHARMA EDITOR
I have no regrets. Because, I give my parents morning coffee every day. I will take care of my mother's health. `No crore rupees salary has given this happiness. `
Many people will be asking: "Why do you buy groceries after studying IIT? " Ani.
I have only one answer:
`My parents are the biggest company for me... I'm the full time CEO of that! " ❤️`
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