Latest news with #IITian
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet man who studied at IIT, left high-paying job, survived by teaching students, is now a famous actor, his name is...
Many actors, before becoming stars in Indian cinema, pursued different courses when it came to their education. While some of these actors were engineers, others worked as architects. However, today, we will tell you about an actor who was an IITian. Not just that, he also bagged a high-paying job. However, his passion for acting made him go all out and take risks. As a result, today, he is one of the known faces in the industry. This actor we are talking about comes from a small village in Rajasthan. His big dreams and zeal to pursue his goals brought him to different roads. Today, he is one of the most celebrated actors, and one of his web series has created a stir with 3 seasons already released! We are talking about none other than Jitendra Kumar urf Jitu Bhaiya! Born on 1 September 1990 in Khairthal, a small village in Rajasthan, Jitendra Kumar was fond of acting since childhood. He often used to imitate Shah Rukh Khan, Nana Patekar, and Amitabh Bachchan as practice. Despite his passion for acting, Jitendra's father sent him to Kota to prepare for the IIT entrance exam. Being hardworking and intelligent, Jitendra Kumar passed the exam and got admission in Civil Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. It was during his studies at IIT that he got inclined towards theatre. He started participating in the 'Hindi Technology Dramatic Society', and there he met TVF's creative director Biswapati Sarkar. When Jitendra joined TVF, in his initial days, he had to face struggles. He decided to take a break from acting and take a job as an engineer in a multi-national company in Bangalore. However, he knew his destination was in acting, and after working for a while, he decided to leave the job and go back to acting. To fund his dreams, many media reports claim that the actor once taught students and earned his bread and butter. Gradually, Jitendra's roles became more recognisable. As a result, he bagged one of the hit series Kota Factory and Panchayat. Today, he is one of the known faces in the OTT space.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IITian in Bengaluru raises alarm over rising cost of living: ‘India is getting really expensive'
An IIT Bombay graduate has raised alarm over the rising cost of living in India, saying it has not spared even the smaller cities. Bengaluru-based Monali Dambre took to the social media platform X to share her concerns. Monali, a member of the founding team at Agno, said that she is genuinely worried about how the middle and lower classes will survive in the coming years. Drawing from her personal experience, the IITian said her grocery bills in Bengaluru are starting to feel 'unusually high'. 'I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that the cost of living in India is getting really expensive—even in smaller, tier-3 cities,' she wrote on X. 'And honestly, I'm starting to feel genuinely worried about how the lower and middle class are managing to survive… or how they're going to survive in the next few years.' Monali, who graduated from IIT Bombay with a BSc in Economics, added that despite living in a relatively well-paying tech hub like Bengaluru, her grocery bills are skyrocketing. 'Even in Bangalore, my grocery bills (which include only absolute staples—nothing fancy or luxurious) are starting to feel unusually high,' she wrote. And this increase is not limited to exotic fruits and imported items - even buying staples and essentials is beginning to feel unaffordable. 'Just basic fruits, veggies, and daily essentials—and it still feels like thing have got expensive than they should have,' said the Bengaluru-based woman. Her post has sparked a spirited discussion about life and cost of living in India. In the comments section, some suggested she step out to shop instead of relying on quick commerce apps. Others, however, countered this argument by saying in-person shopping is as expensive – if not more – than ordering groceries online. 'Initially we used to go to a local market to shop but it's the same price as Qcomm , and inconvenient,' Monali agreed. 'Rupee is collapsing compared to gold. Its showing this in all hard assets. Anything plastic or digital will remain at same price but anything that takes real energy to produce and distribute is increasing in cost. Add to it ultra high tax burden and speculative real estate,' an X user named Harsh opined. 'Yes the inflation on food and groceries is way too high. In general cost of living has increased bar above the usual 5-6% annual year on year limit,' another X user added.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Will terminate anyone if this offence is repeated': CEO warns staff over 15-minute break rule in mass email
An Indian company is facing intense backlash after an employee took to Reddit to share that the CEO issued a mass email threatening termination over extended breaks exceeding 15 minutes. The employee, who recently joined the firm, expressed disbelief at the strict environment and micromanagement practices. In his post, he wrote, 'CEO sends out a mass email to the team saying that we are violating the break timing and will terminate anyone if this offence is repeated. That dude is so moody I cannot wrap my head around with the way he works.' He further contrasted the current workplace with his previous experience, saying, 'I have worked for 1.5 yrs in an environment where only work has to be done at the end of the day, take how many breaks you want… However no one exploited that freedom.' Also read: IITian struggled to afford Bengaluru rent despite raising ₹120 crore for startup The Reddit user went on to claim that the CEO now requires HR to send daily break reports, monitoring everyone's time closely. 'Now, this chap who is my CEO has asked for a daily report from the HR regarding everyone's breaks… whoever exceeds the time limit, which is just 15 minutes, will be terminated if this offence is repeated,' he said. 'This guy doesn't even provide tea or coffee in the workspace… It's screaming micromanagement to me.' The post quickly went viral, drawing a wave of reactions. Several users encouraged the poster to name the company, while others advised him to resign. Also read: China paints hilltop white to mimic Japan's Mount Fuji, tourists feel duped after paying ₹1,100 entry fee "Why don't you guys name the company so that others don't join it?" asked one Redditor. In response, the employee said, 'The CEO is pretty influential… I can't risk unemployment in this economy.' Another user wrote, 'Please terminate the company from your side by resigning, before they terminate you!!' One suggested more drastic action: 'Create a burner account, post the person's name and company. Only then these kind of asinine practises can be highlighted.' A user quipped, 'The CEO guy sounds like a micro-managing POS! Run for the hills I say!' Also read: 'I truly love you': Florida teacher accused of writing disturbing love letter to 11-year-old student
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IITian couldn't afford Bengaluru rent even after raising Rs 120 crore. Reason: Not rent price or landlord
What netizens said In 2019, despite securing ₹120 crore in Series A funding for OkCredit , Harsh Pokharna—founder and CEO, and an IIT Kanpur graduate—was still broke. He had no savings, lived paycheck to paycheck, and worried about rent in Bangalore. His story isn't unique. Many startup founders raise crores but continue to live like struggling students, constantly anxious about basic survival, the IITian said in a LinkedIn reason behind this paradox is systemic, he said. Venture capitalists often prefer founders to remain financially strained as a founder with no money is easier to control—more likely to comply, stay hungry, and stick to the investor's script, Harsh Pokharna contrast, financial stability gives a founder the confidence to say no, the freedom to walk away, and the power to build on their own terms, he said, adding that independence can feel threatening to those who want influence over every a founder dares to ask for modest personal liquidity—perhaps to pay off debt or gain breathing space—they're met with resistance, he said. The narrative is that personal wealth might dull their drive. Ironically, the same investors willingly fund serial entrepreneurs who are already financially comfortable, owning beach houses and retirement portfolios, Harsh Pokharna contradiction, he said, highlights a deeper truth: ambition isn't killed by money—it's often strengthened by stability. Founders who aren't consumed by survival can think more clearly, take bolder risks, and build startup world romanticizes sacrifice, but it shouldn't glorify financial insecurity, he said. Founders deserve the right to chase their vision and secure their well-being. Money doesn't make them weak—it makes them unafraid, he strongly resonated with Harsh Pokharna's candid post about the harsh realities founders face despite raising large amounts of funding. Many acknowledged how startup success often masks the personal financial struggles entrepreneurs users emphasized that financial freedom is essential—not a luxury—for fearless innovation and sustainable growth. One comment highlighted the stigma around founders taking a fair salary, criticizing the pressure VCs place on how much they should praised Harsh for shedding light on a rarely discussed issue and thanked him for being a source of inspiration during tough entrepreneurial journeys. Some users shared their own struggles as founders, relating deeply to the emotional and financial toll of building a startup while barely making ends conversation also sparked questions about when to approach VCs and how early-stage investments are shaping founder expectations. Overall, the post opened up an important dialogue around founder well-being and financial autonomy.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IITian struggled to afford Bengaluru rent despite raising ₹120 crore for startup
Harsh Pokharna, CEO and co-founder of OkCredit, says he was 'broke' and living paycheck to paycheck in 2019 despite raising ₹120 crore for his startup. In social media posts shared earlier this week, the IIT Kanpur graduate blamed venture capitalists for keeping founders in dire financial straits. He also offered a piece of advice to all founders and entrepreneurs - 'VCs want founders to stay poor… So if you're a founder, don't let anyone shame you into staying poor,' the co-founder of bookkeeping app OkCredit wrote. Bengaluru-based Harsh Pokharna launched OkCredit in 2017 along with co-founders Gaurav Kunwar and Aditya Prasad. He says that in 2019, his startup raised ₹120 crore. Despite this, Pokharna was basically broke, had no savings, struggled with skyrocketing rents in the Silicon Valley of India, and lived 'paycheck to paycheck'. He claims that he is not alone in this situation and that many other entrepreneurs 'live like college kids' despite raising millions. 'In 2019, even after raising ₹120 crore Series A for OkCredit, I was broke. I was living paycheck to paycheck. Had no savings and was still worrying about rent in Bangalore,' Pokharna wrote on LinkedIn. The IITian CEO claims he has seen this same scenario play out again and again with different founders, who don't get to enjoy personal benefits of the millions they have raised for their startups. 'I've seen it happen again and again. Founders raising millions, and still living like college kids. Stressed about survival,' he claimed. And why does this happen? According to Pokharna, it's because of venture capitalists who like to keep founders in poverty. 'VCs WANT FOUNDERS TO STAY POOR. A founder with money becomes dangerous,' he explained, adding that founders with money also get the confidence to 'build on their own terms' and disagree with investors. 'If a founder dares to ask for a little personal liquidity to clear their loans, to finally stop living on the edge they're told they might 'lose their hunger,'' claimed Pokharna on LinkedIn. 'Meanwhile, the same VCs have no problem throwing millions at serial founders who have beach houses and retirement funds,' he added. In his rant against VCs, the CEO of OkCredit said: 'Apparently, money only kills ambition when it's in your hands. Not theirs.' He then advised all founders to stand up for their rights - 'don't let anyone shame you into staying poor. Build your dream. But build your freedom too,' he advised. According to Tracxn, OkCredit has raised $84.9M in funding from investors like Lightspeed India, Tiger Global Management and Y Combinator. The startup helps small businesses with daily bookkeeping and accounting, allowing them to collect their receivables faster.
