YOUNG ICON
Sweet dreams are made of these
From the slums of Chennai and selling idli’s on the street, to an MBA degree from IIM-Ahmedabad, Sarath Babu’s journey has been remarkable. He shares his story with JHUMARI NIGAM-MISRA
Times News Network
He had a dream. Like millions of other Indian kids who grow up in abject poverty, he dreamt of earning enough one day to take his mother away from the one room hut they stayed in â€" to a life of comfort.
For most such dreams remain just dreams. But Sarath Babu took life in both hands and looked fate in the eye. Last week, he emerged victorious.
From the slums of Chennai to the hallowed portals of IIM-Ahmedabad, Sarath’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Today with an MBA degree from the country’s premier B-School, Sarath knows his and his mother’s days of poverty are all but over.
“I have had a tough childhood and until I joined BITS-Pilani for my graduation, I thought everybody had a similar life,â€ï¿½ he smiles, sitting in his room inside IIM-A.
“I was just six when my father left us to face starvation. With a meagre salary of Rs 30 which she earned through a job in the state government’s mid-day meal scheme, my mother managed to educate me and my siblings,â€ï¿½ he recalls.
But despite all her problems, E.Deeparamani (Sarath’s mother) never gave up. “She would make idlis and I would sell them on the streets. My mother has been my biggest inspiration,â€ï¿½ he says.
But if the story of a poor idli seller’s son making it to a BSchool raises eyebrows, what he has done now, leaves one stunned. Just last week, Sarath refused a tempting package of Rs 8.5 lakh per annum â€" to start his own catering business.
“It would have been very easy to take up a corporate job and give my family all comforts they have never had. But that’s not my ambition. I’d rather have my own company and employ one person who can support four other lives,â€ï¿½ he smiles.
But why is the man who was offered a senior business analyst’s post in a software firm, setting up a catering service as his business venture?
“Serving someone food is an extremely satisfactory feeling. The smile that you get after giving good food to someone is an experience to cherish. Moreover, this industry has less investment and a high turnover,â€ï¿½ he explains.
And when one’s almost resigned oneself to believing that nothing is â€ï¿½normal’ about this genius, he surprises you again. “I love bikes and cars... and yes, I do have a girlfriend who’s very supportive,â€ï¿½ he reveals sheepishly.
For the time being though, Sarath’s working hard to negotiate offers he’s received from different companies and individuals. After all, he still owes his mother a roof over her head â€" one which has a proper shed.
Reference link - http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1464169.cms
Sweet dreams are made of these
From the slums of Chennai and selling idli’s on the street, to an MBA degree from IIM-Ahmedabad, Sarath Babu’s journey has been remarkable. He shares his story with JHUMARI NIGAM-MISRA
Times News Network
He had a dream. Like millions of other Indian kids who grow up in abject poverty, he dreamt of earning enough one day to take his mother away from the one room hut they stayed in â€" to a life of comfort.
For most such dreams remain just dreams. But Sarath Babu took life in both hands and looked fate in the eye. Last week, he emerged victorious.
From the slums of Chennai to the hallowed portals of IIM-Ahmedabad, Sarath’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Today with an MBA degree from the country’s premier B-School, Sarath knows his and his mother’s days of poverty are all but over.
“I have had a tough childhood and until I joined BITS-Pilani for my graduation, I thought everybody had a similar life,â€ï¿½ he smiles, sitting in his room inside IIM-A.
“I was just six when my father left us to face starvation. With a meagre salary of Rs 30 which she earned through a job in the state government’s mid-day meal scheme, my mother managed to educate me and my siblings,â€ï¿½ he recalls.
But despite all her problems, E.Deeparamani (Sarath’s mother) never gave up. “She would make idlis and I would sell them on the streets. My mother has been my biggest inspiration,â€ï¿½ he says.
But if the story of a poor idli seller’s son making it to a BSchool raises eyebrows, what he has done now, leaves one stunned. Just last week, Sarath refused a tempting package of Rs 8.5 lakh per annum â€" to start his own catering business.
“It would have been very easy to take up a corporate job and give my family all comforts they have never had. But that’s not my ambition. I’d rather have my own company and employ one person who can support four other lives,â€ï¿½ he smiles.
But why is the man who was offered a senior business analyst’s post in a software firm, setting up a catering service as his business venture?
“Serving someone food is an extremely satisfactory feeling. The smile that you get after giving good food to someone is an experience to cherish. Moreover, this industry has less investment and a high turnover,â€ï¿½ he explains.
And when one’s almost resigned oneself to believing that nothing is â€ï¿½normal’ about this genius, he surprises you again. “I love bikes and cars... and yes, I do have a girlfriend who’s very supportive,â€ï¿½ he reveals sheepishly.
For the time being though, Sarath’s working hard to negotiate offers he’s received from different companies and individuals. After all, he still owes his mother a roof over her head â€" one which has a proper shed.
Reference link - http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1464169.cms