Engineer Ice Cream Maker and Engineer Coach

Dear Reader,

Have you ever seen a square peg in a round hole? It just does not fit in. Similarly, in life, sometimes we are a misfit at work or among peers. In such a scenario, a person has two options: continue to be a misfit and lead a life of dissatisfaction or move on to something one enjoys.

Coincidentally, three of our stories this week are about engineers who opted to pursue their passion and became a square peg in a square hole, the perfect fit.

My colleague Rama from Telangana wrote about Sai Kiran Bhagavatula, an electronics and communication engineer who quit his job at a software firm to start Wildlife Whisperers. With a love for wildlife and photography, Sai worked in India and the US, but wildlife triumphed over the cushy job.

His company harnesses the power of nature and wildlife to coach corporate employees and students in leadership, teamwork, and self-awareness. Sai has partnered with properties, drivers, and other support staff in 25 locations in India and overseas to offer corporate training using wildlife. In the first year, he earned Rs80 lakh. I think that’s a wholesome beginning.

In Bengaluru, my colleague Anu spoke to Gautam Raikar, an engineer who has developed millet ice creams! Yes, they are vegan, have zero cholesterol and have extremely low sugar content. It took Gautam two years to perfect the recipe.

He told Anu that whatever was produced during trials was fed to cows because nobody else was willing to try the non-creamy ice creams. After a point, even cows stopped eating them. But soon, Gautam came up with a recipe that became a hit, and he now sells millet smoothies, shakes and other items in the IT city.

My colleague Riya spoke to Sumit Giri, who completed his B.Tech in electrical and electronics engineering in 2012. His job in Maharashtra and his family in Haryana made him realise the futility of running after corporate success at the cost of relationships.

He quit in 2022, and can you guess what he is doing now? He is earning Rs 4 lakh a month from the vermicompost business! His unit is in Yamunanagar, Haryana, where his parents live and his wife works as a professor. He is expanding to a bigger plant this month.

Our Sunday story is about Naida Caves. I am sure you haven't heard of it. This place in Diu was once a hideout for pirates and Portuguese soldiers. Today, it is a tourist’s paradise.

Happy Reading!

Warmly,

Rashmi