Where It All Started
I was born in Junnar a quiet town that gifted me a childhood full of curiosity and care. From the very beginning, I was that kid: the studious one, who believed that excelling in school was the most important thing in life. Being the only child, I grew up surrounded by undivided love and attention. While that meant never having to share, it also made me realize later how important it is to open up and share space with others.
Even as a kid, I was drawn to anything mechanical. I remember getting an RC car and playing with it nonstop for a week and then one fine afternoon, I opened it up with a screwdriver, fascinated more by what powered it than how it drove. That was my first love: the motor. That little moment shaped so much of what came next.
The Journey So Far
School was always my comfort zone I consistently ranked in the top 5, and I even secured 4th rank in Maharashtra in the 4th-standard scholarship exam. It felt like a huge deal back then. I continued doing well through 10th grade and moved to DMJC for 11th and 12th. I prepared for JEE but couldn’t crack IIT and honestly, that’s okay. I did score well in MHT-CET, and that’s how I landed at VIIT for Computer Engineering.
VIIT – that’s the golden chapter. The first time I moved out of Junnar, the first taste of independence, and the first real exposure to the world. Those four years shaped me more than any textbook ever could.
And then came rtCamp, my first corporate job, my first team, my first real-world code. They took a chance on me, trusted me with responsibility, and here I am, 1.5 years in, growing every day.
The People Who Shaped Me
It always starts with family. My parents supportive, understanding, and never conservative gave me the freedom to be myself. I could talk to them about anything, and that trust became my foundation.
Then come the constants: Ashish, Varun, Vaishnavi, Prathamesh, Avadhoot friends I’ve known since preschool. Through every stage, they’ve been there.
Purnesh this guy deserves a separate paragraph. He literally rewired my personality. From being quiet and reserved to becoming a more open, extroverted version of myself a lot of it came from just being around him.
College gave me a tribe: Shardul, Atharva, Keyur my first roommates, my project buddies, my go to people. And then the gang: Aryan, Sahil, Priyanshu, Siddhant, Yash, Nihar, Payal, Smaruddhi each one of them added a layer to who I am today. From late-night talks to emotional support to pure madness they’ve been the best part of my college story.
Mindset Shifts
At one point, I thought being studious was everything. If you weren’t topping the class, you weren’t doing life right. That mindset has completely changed. Looking back, I realize life is much bigger it’s about people, experiences, risks, memories. I now value things like travel, moments with friends, spontaneous plans, and yes letting go of that urge to always be perfect.
I wish I had explored more as a teenager tried sports, joined some creative clubs, just done things for fun. But that realization now only makes me want to live more fully today.
What I’m Chasing Now
Growth. Not just in my career though I’m very much focused on that but also in my health, mindset, and creativity. I want to be more active, more present. I’ve started clicking more photos, sharing more moments, documenting my life not just for the world but for myself and the people I love.
I’ve also started thinking like a builder looking for ideas I can turn into products. Not just as side projects, but as actual ventures with impact. Slowly, I’m moving from just writing code to writing my story.
A Letter to My Past Self
To the 18-year-old me who thought he had to have it all figured out…
You didn’t but you did just fine.
You stuck to your values, worked hard, made the right calls. You got the job, the car, the iPhone but more than that, you built a life. And it’s only the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Turning 23 isn’t a huge milestone by the world’s standards. But to me, it feels like a checkpoint a moment to pause, look back at the road, and smile.
If you’re reading this, thank you for being a part of my journey. Whether it was a message, a memory, or just your presence it means a lot.
Here’s to the next chapter.
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