Everyone knows my name and the work I do, but few know the real story behind my journey—the struggles, the failures, and the moments that shaped me.

Today, I want to share that story with you.

EDUCATION

Part I: The Early Days – A Life in Motion

“I was a young girl with dreams larger than the stars and a faith that everything was possible. “

My story began like many others, brimming with optimism, innocence, awe, and determination. I was the type of student who consistently ranked at the top of each class, enjoyed debating and readingbooks, and felt comfortable in the classroom and during exams. It wasn’t a matter of expectation; it was a fact of my personality. I was the person people were pointing to when they said, “She’ll go far.”

However, life was in its quiet, unpredictable manner, and I did not have any other plans.

My father was employed by Indian Railways. It was a job with frequent transfers throughout the seasons. We travelled constantly. My education was spread out across two railway schools, Ranchi and Chakradharpur (CKP), but was slowed by the many changes in my life. After my grandmother’s death, I moved back to my hometown, but this time to the community school located in Balasore. The change wasn’t just geographic; it was also cultural, emotional, and personal.

“A child isn’t able to comprehend the meaning of loss until they become more mature due to it. “

Between between 3rd and 4th grades, I grew up in confusion. As my classmates formed friendships that lasted for years, I was occupied with learning new alphabets, adapting to new teachers, and grieving those I loved. The grandfather who was my life had taken his sanyas to leave the world behind, vowing never to return. My father’s sister needed financial aid for her marriage. My family was pulled in all directions, and I was too.

In the end, in 5th grade, my schooling was beginning to settle. I moved to Rourkela, which was a city that was my primary academic centre.

Part II: The First Taste of Struggle

“Life does not tell you about it before it tests you. It simply does it, and observes who makes it through. “

Rourkela, the second largest educational hub in Odisha, was home to top-quality schools and intense competition. The father of my family was determined to provide me with the best, and I did all I had. I was a success every time. The trophies returned, and my name was heard in the halls of assembly, and, once more, I was a name that people believed in.

The 10th grade was chaos. A stroke paralyzed my grandfather. Our lives paused. Visits to the hospital, stress for our emotions and a sense of uncertainty persisted overall.

However, I got a score of 80% on my board exams and was 2nd in school. For most people, this would be an outstanding achievement. However, for an individual who’d never had anything other than the first rank, this was an undeserved loss. The child who believed that the failure would never touch her was feeling its cold breath.

“The burden of expectations is the most heavy when it’s yours. “

Desperate to find a new path, I was sent by my father to an institution in Bhubaneswar. I was 14.

After eight hours of being away from home, I took a step into freedom. No more family meals. No more warm, motherly hugs on days of sickness. No more jolly laughter. I stayed at the hostel during holidays as well as exams and emergencies. I learned to travel on my sta, tall in silence, and smile when I was longing.

Part III: The Medical Dream That Slipped Away

“I wanted to save people’s lives. I didn’t realize I’d need to first save mine. “

My first aspiration was pure and potent: to become a doctor. A surgeon. A person who slashed away the pain and infused hope into the lives of others. I studied relentlessly. I breathed in the textbooks and breathed out the dreams.

Just before my medical entrance exam, I was struck with a severe illness. I was diagnosed with cerebral malaria. I was unable to walk, write, or even hold the pen. I omitted two crucial documents. My dream disintegrated right before my eyes.

I was offered another chance. The second time, I failed in my trust too much. In the exam room, I was able to meet two toppers. We agreed to “help” each other–thinking shared information would help each of us. I excelled in Zoology but had trouble with memory-based questions. I believe this alliance is clever.

It was not. I failed. Again.

“I have learned that, sometimes your mistakes are a familiar face. “

Disappointed and exhausted, My parents were dejected and tired. They laid down their feet. “No more,” they declared. “You’ve done enough. It’s time to get moving.”

Part IV: Engineering – A Compromise and a Canvas

“When one door closes and others open, they’re not the ones that you would like to see. “

That’s why I went into engineering. Not in a state of excitement, but instead with resigned resignation. My heart was not in it. Codes and circuits didn’t talk to me in the same way that scalpels and anatomy did. However, I did try.

In that time of trying, I discovered little bits of myself.

My first job was with NGOs. I was a part of startups. I wrote poetry and blogs and also rekindled my passion for art. I completed my civil services studies, applied to research programs, and even thought of getting an MTech. None of these endeavours turned out to be the perfect one; however, each provided some sunshine.

Then, a ray of hope: a job at Stanford Biodesign. It was for a moment as if destiny was listening.

_“Maybe this is what it was,” I whispered to myself.

Yet again, the circumstances changed the rules. The opportunity was lost, just like many other opportunities.

Part V: Searching for Answers

“I did not worry about the possibility of failure. I worried about being unsure of why I was falling short. “

As I look back, I realize the things I didn’t know about back when I was younger: I was scattered. I had passion, ambition and determination, but I had no concentration.

Medicine. Engineering. Civil services. Research. Management of product. I was chasing every one of them, hoping that the one I chose would end up being that one. However, dreams require discipline. Goals need grounding.

I wanted to do too much at once and too quickly, and I did not know anything.

What I did gain was the experience. I lived a variety of lives within one. I was taught resilience, compassion, empathy, isolation as well as ambition and, most importantly, how to persevere.

Educational Milestones

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University)

Followers: 59,000+ | Alumni Network: 34,000+ (LinkedIn)
Recognition:
KIIT is consistently ranked among India’s and the world’s top research-driven universities. Its multidisciplinary ecosystem and innovation-led pedagogy are globally acknowledged.
🎓 Academic Journey:
Part of a vibrant academic community known for engineering excellence, research output, and national-level student initiatives. Gained exposure to real-world problem-solving through practical labs, interdisciplinary projects, and innovation challenges.

International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar (Government Institution)

Followers: 5,000+ | Alumni Network: 4,000+ (LinkedIn)
Highlights:

• Represented the institution at Model United Nations (MUN)—showcasing diplomacy, research, and public speaking skills.
• Active contributor to Shayog, a social initiative fostering community development and youth leadership.

🎓 Academic Excellence:

Focused on scientific research and experimental learning. Delivered high-impact projects in computing and AI through rigorous mentorship and collaborative environments.

Sri Sri University

Followers: 15,000+ | Alumni Network: 5,000+ (LinkedIn)
Achievements:
Awarded multiple accolades for academic distinction, leadership, and holistic development. Education here emphasized a balance of traditional wisdom and modern knowledge.
Unique Approach:
A curriculum enriched with mindfulness, social responsibility, and innovation. Built strong foundations in leadership and systems thinking.

Professional Certifications | Duke University (Coursera Platform)

Duke University LinkedIn Followers: 650,000+
Courses Completed:

• Product Management
  Developed skills in product strategy, user-centric design, roadmap planning, and market analysis.
• AI & ML Product Management
  Gained deep insights into aligning data-driven solutions with business goals, managing cross-functional AI teams, and deploying machine learning models with ethical foresight.
  Outcome:
  Hands-on capstone projects and case studies strengthened practical application of learned principles, preparing for real-world tech product environments.

CAREER

The Silent Pressure

I come from an orthodox Brahmin family God, culture, and education are everything. Ambition was encouraged, but only if it didn’t disrupt stability. I failed at balancing both.

A Harsh Reality Check
After my MBA, I landed a job at Kent RO, but sales didn’t interest me. I didn’t even know how to ride a bike, so how would I manage fieldwork? I left, determined to find something better.
I moved to Bangalore on May 26, 2017, with nothing but hope. Within a month, I got my first corporate job at Axis Bank. But when I started, it felt like a glorified call centre. After years of studying, dreaming, and struggling, was this it?
I stayed because the designation sounded prestigious, even if the salary wasn’t. Because before stepping into marriage, I needed something to hold onto.
But deep down, I knew this wasn’t the life I had fought for.
And so, my real journey was about to begin…

Chasing Stability in Pune – A Dream That Crumbled

I left Axis Bank with hope in my heart and moved to Pune, convinced this was my final destination. After all, they say, “Where your love is, there your life will be.” I was ready to build a future here, both in my career and love.

Pride vs. Survival

My wedding was supposed to be a grand affair a big, fat Indian wedding in a 5-star hotel. But when I needed financial support, my parents refused. I understood their reasons, but it left me stranded.
With my savings draining fast, I lived like a beggar, counting every rupee for PG rent and meals. Yet, I couldn’t let my self-respect crumble. I had a relationship to nurture and a future to secure.

The Startup Gamble

In desperation, I joined Excelsior Research, a startup just 15 minutes away from where my then-partner lived. At first, it seemed a perfect close, promising, a fresh start.
I was their first hire in the Market Research (MR) team. Two managers led us, Rashmi, with 7 years of MR experience, and another seasoned professional, new to the field. I even helped them recruit more employees, believing in the company’s growth.
But doubts crept in. Why were they hiring so aggressively when we barely had work? I raised concerns: “Let’s freeze hiring until we have steady projects.” That’s when things soured.
Rashmi snapped. “We’ll need more hands soon!” she argued. She doubled the team anyway 20 employees in a department with no real sales.

The Humiliation Game

Office politics took over. If I finished tasks quickly, they questioned the quality over speed. I wasn’t wearing glasses then only contact lenses. Rashmi would deliberately ask me to read tiny text from afar under harsh lighting, knowing I’d struggle.
“Can you read that?” she’d ask, smirking as I squinted.
Grammar mistakes? Only mine were highlighted. Reports? Only mine were scrutinized. Nineteen other employees, some fresh graduates never faced such nitpicking.

Personal Life Collapsing in Parallel
Outside work, my relationship was crumbling. Expectations clashed with reality. The man I thought would be my anchor became another storm.

The Final Blow

On December 11, the inevitable happened the MR department was shut down. They offered me a night shift (US hours) in another MR team no cabs, no facilities. I refused.

I walked away betrayed by the company, broken in love, but not yet defeated.

The eInfochips Rollercoaster

Ten days before my wedding, life delivered its cruellest joke – I lost my job. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Those who envied me laughed. My new family questioned everything – my education, my skills, even my future earning potential. The early days of my marriage were spent swallowing tears with every meal, choking down humiliation with every sideways glance.

A Lifeline Named eInfochips

Then came March’s miracle – an interview with eInfochips. When the offer came, it felt like a divine intervention. Here was my chance to silence every doubting voice. I accepted a Marketing Executive (L1) position with a modest salary, but money didn’t matter; redemption did.
My first days were surreal. The director I was meant to report to resigned immediately, leaving me with just two days of training from my predecessor. My sole teammate, a two-year veteran who still used Word documents for monthly reports, offered little guidance. “Don’t worry, you’ll learn” became my hollow mantra.
Yet those initial months sparkled with unexpected joy at office parties. Colleagues are becoming friends. Carpooling adventures where the only politics were about who’d control the playlist. For the first time since Pune, I felt like I belonged.

The Cracks Begin to Show

But reality waited patiently. At home, I juggled cooking and caring for a family member with heart problems – all while navigating unfamiliar domestic duties. My hostel-raised hands (I’d lived away since I was 14) fumbled with spices and brooms alike. The maid-raised girl now became the maid.
The office equilibrium was shattered when new management arrived. The Ahmedabad industrial visit revealed my new manager’s inexplicable disdain. Tasks would materialize at 6 PM – “Have this ready by morning.” My 15km commute (Dhanori to Magarpatta) became a 3-hour daily purgatory between Mula Bridge’s endless traffic and Domlur’s choked arteries.

CORPORATE LESSON

The Achievement:
Stepping into an entirely unfamiliar industry, I adapted quickly—publishing my first corporate blog within two months. I optimized email campaigns, slashing the bounce rate to 0.70%, directly boosting marketing ROI.

The Challenge:
Despite early wins, I struggled with prioritization across six product features within 5 months of joining. Innovation without the right product alignment creates friction. I was the one who was doing it all on my own without any guidance or support or any training.

For instance:

• Fiserv: Navigating which IoT solutions fit financial services required deep cross-functional collaboration.
• PPG Industries: Faced my first escalation due to misalignment between technical chemical experts and IoT product managers—a lesson in bridging domain gaps. I was just 5 months old in that company when I handled this brand and started acting like a superman without any support. Overconfidence kills. This was the best example.

I was the one who suggested targeting the Finance and Chemical industries. As we had already reached out to most other industries based on our client database. So, after focusing on regular and industrial kitchen businesses, I thought these two would bring in high-paying leads. But without realizing it, I ended up ruining my future with that decision.

The Breaking Point
The day I resigned, I didn’t cry. There were no more tears left.

Not when:
• My reports were rejected for formatting, while others’ factual errors were overlooked
• My “over-enthusiasm” was criticized as “disruptive”
• My commute consumed what little energy household duties didn’t claim
In the end, neither my professional ambitions nor personal responsibilities could coexist. Something had to give. Unfortunately, it was me.

But sometimes, surrender isn’t defeat – it’s the necessary prelude to reinvention…

FREELANCING

How Freelancing Saved Me

The walls were closing in. My corporate career had left me battered, exhausted by impossible managers, drained by soul-crushing commutes, and broken by the relentless tug-of-war between work and family. Then, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, came the suggestion that would change everything: “Why not try freelancing?”

At one time, I was looking for a balance between my family obligations and earning a living. I was looking for a flexible job that would allow me to balance my family responsibilities and earn a living. My family elders suggested that I consider freelancing. They told me that it would help me to manage my time and support my family while still contributing financially. This advice changed my life; I didn’t know it.

At that time, freelancing was booming, and I took the plunge. My first client was a Pune-based client who had roots in Nashik. This project was surprisingly successful. The money was not the only thing that mattered. It was the confidence I gained. I knew I could do it.

I soon began to hire freelancers all over India – homemakers seeking flexible work and college students eager for experience. It was rewarding to work with a group, but I wanted to try myself out as a freelancer. So I made the jump.

 Zili & Trell: Building from the Ground Up

The Milestone:
This was a defining phase—I built teams from scratch, designed content strategies, and executed them my way. Our relentless focus on quality led to a breakthrough: Google AI was integrated to support our quality checks.

Zili (Under MI Brand) – Funny Videos App

• Backend Process:
  • Reviewed 100,000+ videos daily against company and Google auditing standards.
  • Maintained 0% error rates while ensuring speed.
• Frontend Process:
  • Tagged videos (e.g., MEME, Prank, Status, Special Talent) with high accuracy.
• Leadership: Managed 25 global team members, all top performers.
  • Proof of Work: Drive Link

Trell – Lifestyle Video App

• Led 22 members across 6 regional languages (Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, English).
• Ensured 99.7% quality score, conducted weekly audits, and aligned with project managers on training and targets.

The Impact:
Receiving leadership’s trust wasn’t just recognition—it validated the culture of ownership and excellence we built.

The Takeaway:
Leadership isn’t control; it’s empowerment. Trust, high standards, and autonomy unlock exponential value.

The Hustle

I explored different platforms, Freelancer, Guru, and Upwork. It was Upwork that became my primary source of leads, but it required constant attention. It was not sustainable to stay active 24 hours a day, especially as I had family obligations. I needed to do something else.

The Game-Changer: Internshala

Then, I found Internshala. It was flexible, unlike other platforms. Clients were more tolerant of time constraints but still open to strategy-driven, creative work. The stipends (around Rs10,000 to Rs20,000) were reasonable, and the variety of work kept things interesting.

Internshala was special because of the challenge. Clients often had small budgets, and I had to think outside the box. I had to achieve maximum results using minimal resources. The experience was challenging, but it sharpened my skills more than anything else. We experimented, explored, and learned from each project.

Even though I had doubts, I never gave up. I put my all into each project. Slowly, my struggles began to pay off. All the late nights, rejections and constant learning started to make sense.

Then, I stopped looking back.

I was able to achieve financial independence through freelance work, but it also gave me Freedom, the freedom to create and grow according to my terms. Along the way, I started my first company.

When I look back on my experience, I see that it was more than a career decision. It was a mental shift. It taught me creativity, resilience and perseverance.

What’s the best part of all? It was a stepping stone to the most significant part of my life. Since November 2019, I have never failed in my life or career.

2018 July to 2019 November: was a terrible period of my entire career.

The Solo Journey Begins
After initial success with teams, I took the terrifying leap into solo freelancing. Platforms became my playground:
• Upwork taught me the grind (and the impossibility of being available 24/7)
• Internshala became my sweet spot – flexible clients, creative freedom, and projects that paid ₹10,000-20,000
• Every limited budget forced me to innovate, turning constraints into creative superpowers

WORK FROM HOME (REMOTE OPPORTUNITY)

Sinelgix: (1st Company)

Evolution:
Began working directly with the CEO, enhancing lead generation and refining internal reporting. Later, collaborated with agency CEOs worldwide, honing skills in:

• Client communication & expectation management
• Strategic alignment across global teams
• SEO & digital marketing leadership

Key Contributions:

• SEO & Digital Marketing:
  • Managed global clients, improved on-page/off-page SEO, and led email/ad campaigns.
  • Resolved technical SEO issues, boosting organic traffic & search rankings.
• Tools & Leadership:
  • HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads.
  • Directed 10+ analysts across regions, achieving measurable growth.

The Realization:
Strategy isn’t just analytics—it’s people, timing, and adaptability. Working with leadership sharpened my company-first mindset.

Squarecruit: (2nd Company)

The Role:

• Led a full website revamp.
• Introduced new content strategies and experimental marketing approaches.

The Playground:
This was my creative lab—freedom to test, iterate, and learn. Less about formulas, more about what truly resonated with our audience.

The Outcome:
Reinforced my belief in data-backed experimentation and tying marketing to real business outcomes.

The Hard-Won Wisdom

As my business grew, so did my clarity about what truly matters:

1. COVID’s Silver Lining
   The pandemic proved what freelancers always knew – remote work isn’t just possible, it’s often better—no more exploitative managers measuring productivity by chair-warming hours.
2. The Toxic Manager Effect
   One bad manager can derail careers and destroy mental health. I learned this the hard way – some scars still remind me to value positive work environments.
3. The Myth of “Not Ambitious Enough”
   Failure doesn’t mean a lack of ambition. My corporate struggles weren’t about competence – they were about refusing to play toxic games of office politics and sycophancy.
4. Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Luxury
   Some thrive on company loyalty; others (like me) need harmony between work and life. Neither approach is wrong – just different.

The Unstoppable Rise
Today, when I look back at:
• The 14-year-old who left home for a hostel
• The engineering graduate scrambling for respect
• The broken woman who lost her job before her wedding
• The freelancer who rebuilt everything from scratch
I see the same thread – relentless resilience.
Once, the corporate world tried to break me. Instead, it taught me how to fly. Now it's a reason behind my happiness and survival.
And this? This is just the beginning…
I am ready for my next adventure. It's time for "Do or Die", as living a terrible life is more miserable than death. 

Even now, I initiate ideas, adapt, and drive change—without waiting for applause. My work isn’t about personal glory; it’s about team momentum and long-term impact.

My Core Beliefs:

Consistent growth > Short-term wins
Collaborative execution > Individual brilliance
Lifelong learning > Temporary victories

I’ve learned that you don’t need the spotlight to shine. The most meaningful impact is made quietly—through collaboration, strategic intent, and the courage to evolve.