This is a story about a person who started out as a delivery boy and is presently taking care of Blinkit’s operations in East Delhi. Not to brag about my journey but to highlight the fact that organisations like ours, thanks to the culture in place, make it possible for dreams to come true for so many like me.
I was born in Delhi in 1992 to a family where the sole breadwinner was my father. From a very young age, the word ‘responsibility’ was instilled in me. In 2013, at a rather young age, I got married. Which meant only one thing: I have to earn for my family by working harder.
Rahul during his days as delivery partner in 2015
Although I began as a field executive, I knew I had to complete my graduation so I enrolled in a long-distance course. In 2015, my Blinkit (then Grofers) journey as a delivery boy at Peeragarhi DC. I liked my job to be honest but I didn’t expect back then to grow a career out of it. By the end of that same year, I earned my degree too.
Due to my performance, my manager decided to promote me to Assistant Station Manager for last mile operations. He transferred me to Bindapur DC. Until that point, I don’t think anybody else showed that level of faith in me. In this new role, I was responsible for last mile delivery, cash reconciliation, route planning, scheduling for NDD orders and assignment.
Rahul as deputy manager in 2020
Back then, the work on the first ever warehouse in Delhi NCR was getting started in Bamnoli and we were fast moving to the Super Store module. For this operation, we were picking up groceries from the local shopping complex. I was responsible for all the dispatches to connect DCs in Okhla, Lado Sarai, Uttam Nagar and Pitampura.
With this success, we started four more FCs In Bamnoli and Dhulsiras. I was in charge of timely dispatches, vehicle follow ups, and RTO. Back then, my manager Bipul Singh promoted me to Deputy Manager. In 2019, we started the first 3PL FC in Kapashera in Delhi and I was tasked with the first mile operations there.
Rahul (center) with his team as cluster manager in 2021
Later, I got transferred to East Delhi for last mile operations as a cluster manager first with Nilesh Agnihotri as my manager. We started our first dark store in Delhi at Jhilmil ES1, before building 23 dark stores in East Delhi alone. In fact, we were the first city to not only announce 10-minute delivery but also attempted 90% of 10-min delivery as per the serviceable polygon.
It has been an enriching journey for me so far with Blinkit. Whatever I am today, I am because of the good people I’ve found here. I’ll be completing 7 years here soon and I am sure I’ll be around for many, many more years.
I was born in Delhi to a disadvantaged family. Later, my father left us when I was 15. He was a stonemason and with his departure, I couldn’t concentrate on my studies. I ended up flunking my 12th exams.
I was born and brought up in Chandigarh. Blessed with a flawless childhood, I enjoyed a lovely family, the finest of education and a sound social life. In school, I excelled in studies as well as extracurricular activities.
Before I share my story, I want us to remember that India largely resides in its villages and towns. There are a lot of people in our country who have a lot of potential, but they seldom get the opportunity to prove their worth.
