Acumen Life Map - Shekar
Storyboard Text
- In 1996, I moved to the US which was a great experience in learning what scale is and spending a lot of time with old friends from college. Also the first time I was unemployed for 11 months.
- My childhood from 1962 to 1979 was a typical comfortable middle class one. Happiest moment was the birth of my sister in 1973, 11 years younger. It was an inflection point in my life
- My teenage to adulthood years of 1979 to 1987 was momentous because I was able to study at IIT, Madras and IIM, Calcutta which has stood in good stead for me throughout my career. I made extremely good, lifelong friends. However, I did not necessarily take advantage of the opportunity from an academic perspective. Got into a drug induced world at IIM. Had a failed relationship at IIT
- My career started with Wipro which was a great learning ground, and I still follow some of the principles of Azhim Premji. In 1995, I was fired from a job for the first time. A friend helped out and got me a job at Tata IBM which was another learning experience under a great boss, who happended to be my classmate.
- The last 7 years has been one of purpose, impact and overcoming seemingly intractable problems. An experience that I will not swap for anything in this world.
- Came back to India in 2007 to Pune with the same company as Head of Marketing. Decided that I had reached the level of my incompetence and pivoted to being a professor of marketing.
- In 2013, I joined my wife's NGO Hasiru Dala as trustee. It brought me closer to wastepickers, their challenges and aspirations. In 2015, I co-founded Hasiru Dala Innovations.
- The teaching experience was wonderful. It was the first time I had found purpose and satisfaction in my job. Loved being with students and they continue to be great support and friends for me.
- Inflection Points1. Birth of my sister. Experienced giving unconditional love and to date have a near telepathic relationship. 2. Marrying Nalini - Has brought love, stability and introduced me to the world of wastepickers. Has taught me that anything can be changed with true intent and authenticity. 3. Annama who in 5 years went from being a street stomping, bag carrying wastepicker to building her own home - a quantum change in her quality of life due to Hasiru Dala. That was the day in June 2015, that I decided that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
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