My journey from being a top student (scoring 99 in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths each in the HSC exams in 1989, and standing 7th in Vidarbha division, Maharashtra) to taking on challenging roles at large companies like Infosys is a story of hard work, commitment, and dreaming big. After cracking my HSC exams, I got into BITS Pilani.
There, I faced ups and downs in my academic performance, but I always looked for ways to stand out beyond just studying. In junior college, I organized a small event to honour our teachers, and I wanted to do something similar at BITS. However, coming from a small town like Amravati, Maharashtra, I often felt out of place among students from big cities, which was tough for me. A book my father gave me, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, sparked my interest in becoming an entrepreneur rather than just seeking a job. Unfortunately, I had to leave BITS Pilani due to health issues and completed my engineering at GCOE Amravati. During this time, I developed multiple soft skills and gained popularity through organizing events and participating in various activities. After graduation, I faced a period of unemployment but eventually found a job as a Sales and Service Engineer, which was a small but valuable experience.
I later joined Global Wireless Technologies Ltd (GWTL) and, alongside my work, started studying Oracle and C programming. My efforts paid off when I joined the CDAC Diploma in Advanced Computing course. This marked the beginning of my successful career in IT, working with companies like Tata Infotech (now TCS), Infosys, and Tech Mahindra in Pune. My last role was Senior Project Manager at Tech Mahindra. I have handled clients like Microsoft in Infosys and AT&T in Tech Mahindra and managed a team of 60. My technical knowledge and people skills were recognized when Infosys awarded me company shares for my contributions. In April 2008, after 13 years in the industry, I left Tech Mahindra to fulfil my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I started Oasis Technologies, which developed innovative products like BookDoctorsTime.com, a platform to book appointments with doctors. This platform was shortlisted in the first 3000 startups by SMART 50, an initiative by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and the Department of Science and Technology, GOI.
I also conduct Oracle SQL/PLSQL and Oracle DBA trainings at NIIT for experienced Software Professionals. Parallel to my entrepreneurial journey, I've built respectable wealth, supported my nephew Devesh in his medical studies at KEM Mumbai, and seen my niece succeed at Infosys. Despite the challenges, including caring for my aging parents, I've managed to maintain good health and continue to inspire others through my LinkedIn campaign for healthy living. My motto is simple: Life is beautiful for those who can realize their dreams. So, dream big, innovate, achieve, lead, and never settle for less.
