I am the son of a farmer, born in a small village. In my family, there are three brothers and one sister. My parents lack formal education, and as a result, I do not possess an official date of birth. When I was enrolled in school, my name was registered with a random birth date of 5th July, and since then, I have celebrated my birthday on this date. Despite my father’s limited education, he emphasized the value of learning and imparted valuable wisdom:
“Study is a hard nut to crack, but it is the gateway to becoming a good person.”
-Words of My Father
I took this lesson to heart and dedicated myself to my studies. I vividly recall my daily, determined six-kilometer trek to the neighboring village to attend school, even during rainy days. I’d pack my uniform and books in plastic bags to protect them, never once missing a day.
In my village, the emphasis remains heavily on government jobs, with private employment largely overlooked. Upon completing my 12th grade, I found myself uncertain about my future. Fortunately, my elder brother guided me toward a BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application) course. I enrolled and moved to a nearby city for higher education. Although I was academically committed, I often felt like a novice in a grown-up world. However, my determination to make something of myself remained unwavering.
I rented a room and began living independently, learning essential life skills like cooking, doing laundry, and daily chores, as there was no one to rely on. I transitioned from a Hindi-medium education to English for my BCA course due to a lack of Hindi-medium options, and I initially struggled. In my first semester, I faced setbacks in all subjects, which felt like failure.
At the time, my four friends in the same course were ready to give up, believing it was easier to convince their families. However, I stood my ground and told them they could quit, but I would not. I insisted on giving it another try, and my perseverance paid off. I not only passed the current semester but also excelled in the previous semester’s subjects. This experience solidified my understanding of the value of hard work: it is never in vain.
Despite financial constraints preventing me from owning a computer, I completed my BCA. Post-graduation, I felt uncertain about job prospects and career direction. A friend introduced me to PHP and MySql, and I dedicated myself to learning programming. After just two and a half months of study, I prepared my first resume and secured an interview. Although nervous, I attempted seven out of ten questions. I left out the remaining three because I lacked proficiency in writing programs. The HR manager, baffled by my choice to omit programming questions, invited me for a conversation about my background and my interest in programming. I explained my limited programming knowledge and she encouraged me to sharpen my skills for a future opportunity.
While this was my first interview, I didn’t feel discouraged. I began honing my programming skills. Not graduating from a renowned institution, I needed to find a job on my own. I can still recall the days when I meticulously noted job vacancies from newspapers, dialed numbers from a public phone booth, and communicated with potential employers in broken English.
After my first interview, it was a challenging journey to secure my first job, which eventually paid a meager INR 2500. Over the years, I encountered workplace politics and remained underpaid for eight to nine years. The turning point came when I became a father and realized I had just INR 100 in my pocket. This revelation forced me to reconsider my path.
As I explored the transition from service-based companies to product-based ones, I accumulated 11 years of experience in startups. These experiences shaped me, teaching me how to build, grow, and scale a product from the ground up. The recognition and respect I found in startups far exceeded what I had experienced in service-based companies. I progressed from a senior software engineer to a senior director of engineering, receiving multiple awards along the way.
Life often directs us to the right path, even if we initially find ourselves in the wrong one. One day, my office delivered unexpected news: “Today is your last working day. Please return your laptop and complete the exit formalities.” I was laid off, a shocking turn of events for someone who needed 2–3 lakhs per month to cover monthly expenses like home loan EMIs, car loan EMIs, children’s school fees, and living costs. Despite the financial strain, I chose to view this as an examination of life — a test of my resilience and ability to stay positive and adapt.
I promptly joined a self-development program, investing 5–6 lakhs in myself, a challenging decision at the time. Though I was initially apprehensive, it proved to be a pivotal choice. The job market was unfavorable, so I focused on learning new skills and developing new habits. My daily routine transformed:
I began waking up at 4:00 AM.
I immersed myself in books.
I started writing articles.
I ventured into creating a YouTube channel, recording videos.
I began writing on Medium.
Then, a novel idea crossed my mind — writing a book. Initially uncertain about the title, I began writing technical articles that I found engaging. After months of writing, I settled on the title
“Startup Journey: How to Build, Grow, and Scale a Product?”
Reflecting my 11-year involvement with startups and my experiences in building, growing, and scaling software products.
Writing a book was an arduous endeavor, demanding tremendous effort, sacrifice, and dedication. I had to forgo Netflix and quality time with my family. Although I occasionally felt guilty, my dedication to the task was unwavering. After 5–6 months of diligence, I finally completed my book, dedicating it to my parents, who had instilled in me the importance of education.
When I launched my book, it was unveiled by my parents — a profoundly emotional moment. Life had presented me with an opportunity, and I had seized it, transforming a difficult period into a valuable experience.
Within 72 hours, my book became an Amazon bestseller, available on Amazon.in and Amazon.com.
If you’re interested, you can find the book by following the links below. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please like, comment, and share it. Your support means a lot to me.
Amazon.in — Click here
Amazon.com — Click here
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