Life journey

Introduction

Personal growth is a journey that spans a lifetime, shaped by experiences, challenges, and the values we hold dear. My journey is no different, and I am pleased to share how my upbringing, education, professional endeavors, and family life have contributed to my growth and success in both my career and personal life.

Humble Beginnings

I was born in a typical middle-income joint family in Bombay, where my sister was the eldest of the four siblings. My father Turaga Ramarao was a practicing Chartered Accountant and mother Lalitha Devi was a homemaker with extraordinary blend of personal traits and virtues. Growing up in a one-room tenement with common facilities, I had friends from various communities and languages, fostering an environment of inclusivity and shared resources. We played cricket in the corridors, celebrated festivals of all communities, and lived without competition or jealousy. These early experiences instilled in me the values of sharing, collaboration, and community spirit.

Educational Milestones

Studying at an Andhra school turned out to be a blessing, as I learned multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit. Graduating from the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore was a significant milestone. Living in a hostel away from home was initially challenging but eventually enjoyable. Despite financial constraints, I was active in college elections and hostel committees, which honed my leadership skills.

Early Career Challenges

After obtaining the second-highest grade in my final year of engineering, I faced a six-month period of unemployment in Bombay. Eventually, I joined Ralli Wolf Ltd. as a graduate trainee, earning a modest stipend. My entrepreneurial spirit led me to join a small-scale industry with the hope of becoming a partner, and later, I started my own venture in Hyderabad. However, the sudden passing of my father led me to abandon this plan and return to Ralli Wolf, followed by other roles to gain diverse experience.

Family Life and Values

On 20th August 1976 I got engaged to Pramila from Bombay. We got married on 21st Jan 1977. Pramila's parents Vissa Bhushan Rao and Chandralekha were also early settlers like my parents in Bombay. A successful married life with Pramila, daughter Sweta, and son Sridhar was made possible by mutual understanding and support. Observing the values we inherited from our elders and being practiced by us, our children learnt to lead life with values. Today they are prosperous and living happily in different countries with spouses from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Professional Growth

In 1983, I founded Compaq Microsystems Pvt. Ltd., a software company that developed solutions and sold PCs. Although the company did not sustain beyond three years, the experience was invaluable. Later, as a General Manager at Maul Eastern Ltd., I gained significant experience in international sales and business diversification, traveling extensively to the US, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Ukraine, and Kuala Lumpur.

The entrepreneurial spirit resurfaced when I joined Access Information Systems Pvt. Ltd. as an Executive Director. Despite the challenges of losing trained consultants to Y2K opportunities, the experience was enriching. At the age of 47, I shifted my career to SAP solutions, joining Siemens Information Systems Ltd. in 1998. Over 12 years, I executed projects across various verticals and geographies, culminating in a successful career that I attribute to my humble upbringing and exposure to diverse cultures.

Community Service and Lifelong Learning

The values instilled by my parents led me to serve communities, particularly in education, using my IT skills and project management experience. This spirit of constant learning and sharing knowledge resulted in creating online courses on Udemy. My current passion for developing AI apps is a continuation of this journey.

Conclusion

My personal growth journey has been shaped by a blend of humble beginnings, educational achievements, entrepreneurial ventures, professional success, and a deep commitment to family and community. The values of sharing, collaboration, constant learning, and cultural inclusivity have been the cornerstone of my success, guiding me through various phases of life and enabling me to make meaningful contributions to society.