Every year, thousands of engineering students dream of studying in IITs, getting a well-paying job abroad and building a successful career abroad. For many, this is the ultimate definition of success. But a story that has gone viral online reminds people that sometimes life’s biggest decisions aren’t made in boardrooms, they’re made at home.get to know By Vivek Sharmaan IIT Bombay Computer Science gold medalist who reportedly turned down a $240,000 (about Rs 2.9 crore) annual job offer from a San Francisco-based startup just before moving to the US. The reason was not a better salary or another opportunity. They were his parents.Today, instead of living in Silicon Valley, he runs a small grocery store under his house in Kanpur, teaches coding to underprivileged kids, and says something that has resonated deeply with readers: “My parents are my biggest company.”
The IIT dream that his parents helped build
Vivek’s journey started in a lower middle class family in Kanpur.His father worked as a railroad clerk, while his mother taught tuition to supplement the family’s income. Like countless Indian parents, they invested everything they had in their child’s education. According to the viral post, savings were drained, jewelry was sold and every rupee was carefully planned so that Vivek could study in Kota before getting admission in IIT Bombay.The sacrifices paid off.Vivek not only graduated in Computer Science but also won a gold medal. In his senior year, he received what many engineering students would describe as a dream offer: a position at a San Francisco startup with an annual package worth nearly $240,000, with visa sponsorship and relocation.It seemed like years of hard work had finally come together.Then life changed overnight.
A decision that redefined success
Just before leaving for the US, Vivek’s father suffered a heart attack. At the same time, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.Suddenly, the excitement of a global career gave way to hospital visits, surgeries, chemotherapy and uncertainty.He was faced with a choice that no campus site prepared students for.Should he go abroad and pursue the opportunity he had worked so hard to earn, or stay with the two people who had sacrificed everything for him?He chose to stay.According to the publication, Vivek canceled his visa interview and declined the offer.Many people questioned his decision. Some told him he was too excited. Others felt he was giving up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.But for Vivek, the answer was simple.His parents needed him more than any company.
From IIT Bombay to Sharma’s General Store
After falling behind, Vivek initially took up a local software job in Kanpur. As financial responsibilities grew, he opened a small grocery store under his house – Sharma’s General Store.At first glance, it seemed an unlikely destination for an IIT Bombay gold medalist.However, the shop became much more than a business.It helped the family stay afloat during one of the most difficult phases of their lives while allowing Vivek to remain close to his parents.Over time, according to the viral account, her mother’s health improved and her father’s condition stabilized. Besides running the grocery store, Vivek started teaching coding to underprivileged kids and did freelance software tasks at night.Years later, his story reached the same international company whose offer he had once rejected. This time, instead of asking him to relocate, he was invited to collaborate remotely on an initiative focused on education.Today, Vivek continues to balance technology, teaching and family, all without leaving the city he once thought he would leave forever.
Why his story resonates with thousands
The story has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many professionals saying it defied their own definition of success.Some shared similar experiences of returning home to care for elderly parents, even when it meant putting successful careers on hold. Others noted that achievements cannot always be measured by salaries, positions or overseas jobs.One commentator reflected that success is contextual; for some, it means building a global career; for others, it means being there for family when they need you most.Another wrote that life is not a race with a single goal. Everyone has different responsibilities, different circumstances, and different deadlines, making comparisons unfair and incomplete.For students chasing entrance exams, campus placements and dream packages, Vivek’s journey offers an important reminder.Academic excellence can open doors.A great career can create opportunities.But sometimes the hardest decision, and perhaps the bravest, is choosing people over prestige.Whether one agrees with Vivek’s decision or not, his story has sparked a larger conversation about ambition, responsibility and what success really means.Perhaps that’s why one line from his journey continues to stick with readers:“My parents are my biggest company.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media post and online public discussions. TOI Education has not independently verified the personal details, academic credentials, work history or events described. The story is presented for informational and inspirational purposes only and reflects the claims made in the original publication and subsequent public reactions.