From Struggles to Success: A Journey of Determination and Resilience
I was born into a lower
middle-class family, where resources were scarce, but dreams knew no bounds. My
father, a man with only a basic degree and a small-town background, worked
tirelessly—often pushing through 16-hour workdays—to provide the best
opportunities for his children. He worked as a salesperson at an electronic
store during the day and spent his evenings until midnight repairing electronic
items, rarely taking a day off. My mother, with just an elementary school
education, played a crucial role in shaping my values and perseverance. Without
any household help, she managed the home and maintained strict discipline
regarding our study and play time. Despite their sacrifices, I remained a
mediocre student, barely scraping by with passing grades. Academics never
captivated me, but sports were my true passion. Whether it was athletics,
cricket, or hockey, I found solace and purpose in the field, winning a few
medals along the way—though none that brought me significant recognition.
As I approached the final years
of school, my academic struggles reached a breaking point. I barely managed to
pass my 10th-grade exams with a mere 55%. The school principal, deeming me
"useless," advised my father to withdraw me from school. But my
father refused to accept this verdict. His unwavering belief in me led to one
last chance, and I was allowed to continue. Yet, my academic hurdles persisted.
I failed mathematics in the 11th grade, leading to another discussion about my
future between my father and the principal. Once again, fate intervened, and I
was permitted to proceed to the 12th grade with Physical Education as a
substitute subject. Here, I excelled. Determined to prove myself, I worked
harder and scored 71% in my board exams—just enough to secure admission to
Delhi University. College was a fresh start, and my talent in athletics was
recognized. I proudly represented the university in 400-meter hurdles and
sprints, believing this could be my path to success.
The Turning Point: From Rejection to Ambition
But dreams don't always unfold as
planned. My sporting aspirations came to a devastating halt during a race at
the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Attempting a hurdle on the synthetic track, I
crashed badly, leaving me injured and limping. My dreams of making it big in
athletics crumbled before my eyes. The final blow came when I failed to qualify
for the Delhi University athletic championship. Adding to my disillusionment, I
read an article about a former Asian Games gold medalist who had been reduced
to selling pani-puri for survival. It was a harsh wake-up call. The competitive
spirit I had developed through sports now needed a new direction.
Meanwhile, my peers were securing
spots in prestigious MBA programs, but I had failed miserably in the entrance
exams. I was at a crossroads. That's when I made a bold decision—I set my
sights on becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). People scoffed at the idea,
ridiculing my academic record. They doubted my ability to clear one of the
toughest exams in the country. But I was determined. The discipline and
resilience I had built through sports became my foundation. I buried myself in
books, studying 14-16 hours a day. My mother would religiously wake me up at
4:00 AM during my CA preparation days, bringing me tea every hour or two to
keep me going. My father feared for my well-being, but I remained unwavering.
Against all odds, I not only cleared my CA exams but earned an All India Merit
Rank. It was a defining moment—proof that perseverance trumps circumstance. I
didn't stop there; I pursued an MBA and later completed a one-year program at
Harvard. My transformation from an underperforming student to a qualified CA
and MBA was a testament to the power of grit and relentless effort.
Rising in the Corporate World
With my qualifications in hand, I
stepped into the corporate world. Securing my first job was an uphill battle—I
had no influential contacts and faced constant rejection. I knocked on doors,
applied to countless companies, going from one office to another in the
pre-internet era, and faced disappointment after disappointment. But my
sportsman's spirit—refusing to accept defeat—kept me going. Eventually, I
landed a job at Bank of America. The initial months were brutal; I worked
insane hours, sometimes leaving the office past midnight with no weekends off.
One night, exhausted from work, I
dozed off while driving home and crashed into the car of a Government of India
secretary. Fortunately, after listening to my story, he let me go with a
warning. Another time, newly married and overwhelmed with work, I lied to my
wife about car trouble just to sneak back into the office. She saw through it
instantly and called me on the office landline—her way of reminding me to
balance my life.
My perseverance paid off. I moved
up the ranks, joining Citigroup, where I became the Country Risk Director for
Citifinancial India and a Global Risk Trainer for the group. At Citigroup, my
mentors taught me invaluable lessons—to dream big, make fearless decisions for
the company's benefit, and to always support employees during personal crises.
I remember giving my ATM card to a junior colleague who needed to rush home for
his mother's sudden health issue—a small gesture he remembers to this day. By
39, I was appointed CEO of Capital First, a company I had built for Mr. Kishore
Biyani. Today I lead National Finance, largest NBFC in Oman as Deputy CEO, steering
it toward growth and innovation, recently achieving the highest business
performance in the company's 35-year history.
Overcoming Health Challenges
In 2012, life threw another
curveball my way—I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Once again, I found
myself limping, just as I had years ago after my hurdle accident. But I refused
to surrender. Dr. Satish Mutha advised me against surgery, suggesting I focus
on strengthening my legs instead. I took his advice seriously, maintaining my
workout regime including yoga despite the pain. Through constant
self-motivation and positive self-talk, I trained relentlessly. My efforts
culminated in setting a record for continuous skipping—9,320 skips in one hour.
You can find the video on YouTube, a testament to the power of perseverance.
As if that weren't enough, I
challenged myself further. Encouraged by my marathon-running friends, I trained
rigorously and completed my first half-marathon in under two hours—a personal
triumph against all odds. Today, I continue to push my limits with
calisthenics, always seeking new fitness challenges.
The Key Message: Anything Is Possible
Life is unpredictable, filled with highs and lows. Many get caught up in setbacks, unable to see beyond them. But I've learned that no matter how bleak things seem, "This too shall pass." Maintaining a positive mindset attracts positive energy, while negativity only breeds more negativity. Sports and meditation have been my pillars, helping me refocus, regain strength, and push forward. Even when everything seems lost, confidence and self-belief can rebuild everything from scratch.
My mother has been my guiding
force, my unwavering source of inspiration. No matter how difficult life got,
she never uttered a negative word. Even in the worst situations, whether it was
an accident or failure, she would always say, "Good this happened because
God saved you from some bigger loss." She taught me to never fear speaking
up for what's right and to always try before assuming failure. Her wisdom has
shaped my outlook on life, teaching me resilience and gratitude.
My journey has been anything but
easy. Every setback, every rejection, and every challenge has only fueled my
determination. If there's one lesson my story teaches, it's this: No matter
where you start, no matter how many times you fail—if you believe in yourself, work
relentlessly, and refuse to give up, success will inevitably follow. Keep
pushing forward, because your struggles today will be the foundation of your
success tomorrow.