Most kids have a fair idea what they want to be in life—Astronaut, engineer, doctor, cricketer. Or anything else. But I wasn’t one of them. I had no idea what I wanted to do as an adult.
After school, I applied for a B.A. in Journalism and got admission in a college in Delhi. Right after my first semester, I got an internship in a design programme at The Education Tree (a Delhi-based youth community), but honestly, I had little understanding of design. I was just fascinated with the concept of giving shape to an idea.
As I continued my internship, I realised that I needed to work more on my design skills so I could become a graphic designer.
Long story short, I eventually made an Instagram post that got me my first job—at Zomato. It was so much fun to work with some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. When you are with gifted folks, you not only see magic happen but also learn how magic is created. I realised early on in my career that great work is done when there is no place for ego.
Things were going absolutely great until the first wave of COVID hit. Some people had to leave the org and I was one of them. Back then, I was disheartened, but I told myself I will be back someday. But I was going through a bad phase. Less than a month later, I found myself in a terrible car accident. It was a big setback physically as well as mentally. I had never been in a road accident before, and I thought maybe it was a wake up call to refocus my energy.
I tried to stay positive and eventually, I got another job through my Zomato network. Having a job was amazing but I certainly missed the Zomato culture of owning things and the whole vibe that encouraged working together and having fun.
Things went on this way for a year and a half, before I learnt about an opening in Blinkit. It was the perfect role. What really excited me was that I would work with some of the people I knew from my Zomato days, including my old boss. I promptly applied and got the job! Now, I am in my happiest phase, in the same building, on the same floor where I started with all the Zomans, and doing good work together.
It may sound like a cliché, but it feels like I am back home now. And I am extremely thankful for this journey.
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.