Stories Of Kindness

My family – is run by three women

A mother never gives up on her child. All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my அம்மா Kalaiselvi. My father left his village in Tamil Nadu to Mumbai for an interview in 1987 (when I was 7) got a role as electrical engineer in Saudia Arabia. He worked there for 21 years.  I only saw him 20 days every 2 years. Yes, My mom not only carried me for 10 months in her womb, she raised me and my sister Kavitha Sundaram for the next 18 years on her own. There were many who ridiculed her, many isolated her (some still do). She stood on her own and brought us up. She will continue to empower me and the people around her.

Being a mother is the toughest (unpaid) job in the world. Behind every success there is atleast one sacrifice. I am the evidence of my parent’s strength. Today I am a Man of Value, thanks to my mother’s upbringing. No man is poor who has Godly mother.

My awesome AMMA. I love you and thank you everyday. Wish you all the happiness, good health and lots of love.I am a strong man because a strong woman raised me

My Sister Kavitha Sundaram– I have a kind heart and fierce mind because this beautiful spirit never gives up on me

My Wife Junko – I am ambitious because this woman in my life never ask for anything who deserves everything

Anita – I have a strong purpose because this angel gave her life for a cause. Yes she committed suicide because society betrayed her and prevented her from studying only goal – medicine.

I don’t know what my future holds but I am stepping forward because these women said me “Let’s Go”. Yes, these women lift me up, inspire me and remind me regularly to find balance between work, life and family.

I dedicate my success to these women who love me beyond all my faults and fight all the battles that I know little about to keep me going.

My boys – Saakiya Kaito and Siva Kazuto, my little monsters… I always wonder why you both chose me as your father… you both are the one reason I want to live longer!

My cousins Aadhavan and Pranav – I love when you call me “baachu mama”, you set the standard for my boys. My brother in law chandru anna – you look after my sister and mom 100 times better than me. I am so blessed to have you.

My inlaws

Isamu san and Kaoru san, thank you for accepting to the Matsushima family  

My extended family

Success is personal for me. Life is all about relationships and I am grateful to all my family.

Having great friends to share your life with is a gift like no other, and having a “best friend” is one of life’s most precious gifts, I am blessed with so many!

Four Amigos – Martin, Chris and David, The Selfies – Rachel, Charlotte, Ronnie and Kelly

Mudder Truckers – Mandy, Connor, Sonny, Michael, Lina and Rita, Jaime

Sakthi, Amudhan and Praveen, Ranjith, Gogul, Vikas, Siva, TD Karthik, Ranjan, Velu, Gowthaman, Sarfy, Ramesh, vijay anand, Pradeep

Hikers – Rajiv, Ashok, Ragav and Prakash

Nanba – Saravanan, Arul, Vishnu, Gautam, Sankar Anna, Vijay

William temple friends, Backbenchers Group, my Perks school, Amrita 98 batch mates  and Imperial 03-04 college mates….

A good friend is a considered true blessing of God. I am blessed with so many… Thank you God. 

I lost my father May 2015, that compelling event made me to revisit life goals and my purpose was set. I got a call from my sister, Baachu (my nick name) – Doctor has given father 48 hours, you have to start your journey immediately. She gave the phone to my father, my dad said – How are you? You don’t need to come, I will be OK. When this conversation was happening, I was with my wife and two boys in Haven Cottages ( first outing in a year). I put the phone down went to shower and cried out loud.. We left haven immediately, arrived home and booked tickets. When I landed in Mumbai to catch up my local flight, my sister called me – “Dad has died.” she reiterated. “What?! No.” I yelled out, “No!” I went to quiet corner in Mumbai International Airport and cried heavily.

Whenever I travel via Mumbai I still go to that corner and stand there for few minutes. My second regret – I had so many meetings with my colleagues on a day to day basis but did I schedule regular meetings with my parents and immediate family.

Every Sunday 930am, my father will always call me and ask me 3 Qs – How is work? Are you happy? Did you eat? , In many cases, I have missed his calls.. Today that unconditional love is gone. This is the man who studied under street lights, walked 2km for primary and 5km for secondary and bicycled 15km to his diploma. My grandparents can only afford one meal a day, with very little food his passion for his education meant he was the first graduate in his village. He realised his children need to go further, he left us to Mumbai for an interview in 1987 (when I was 7) got a role as electrical engineer in Saudia Arabia. He moved there to work there for 21 years for $120/month, he never got promotion but wrote 2 books in electrical engineering trained 100+ electrical apprentices. H

His life was education and he did his best to his family. I only saw him 20 days every 2 years.

He sowed the seed for the privilege that me and I am children are harvesting…

 One of father’s happy times was walking at 5 am every day. Yes, he walks for an hour very day.

Every time I travel to Japan, I visit Nashinoki Jinja in Kyoto, the temple where I got married in 2008. There is a sacred Katsura tree which has very pretty heart-shaped leaves. It is said to be responsive to prayers for relationships. I always stay there for few hours wishing for my loved ones.

 The universe sends at the exact time what we need in our lives . When we least expect it, life tests our willingness to change. At such moment there is no point in saying that we are not ready. Yes, I lost my father to myloema (bone marrow cancer). I promised my late father, I will focus on my health and relationships. This compelling event forced me to seek my purpose.

Thank you appa.

When I came to UK as a student, I stayed at a William temple house, a residential house for international students .

I still remember the day of my arrival Sep 21, 2003. I was staying at the quad room (a shared room on the terrace). My room mates were Ali Akram, Brenden Bratulic and Alex Tovar. I studied MSc at Imperial College; a 20 min walk from my student house. I worked part time in KFC, Gloucester road. Also supported the student house with breakfast prep, cleaning toilets and common area and managing garden. This was my home and my world for 7 years (yes after my student life, I became sub warden). I made life friends here I am still in touch with many – Katja, Stephen Grupetta, Kafei Leung, Natalia Onatra, Ximena Heasmen, Sebastian Embrel, Yoshikazu Maeda, Grace Grupetta, Alberto Vidal, Chenny, Khalid Nur, Martin, Champ, Jordi, Mara, Emiko, Parinya, Sung Han Kang, Yannis, Ai, Haruko, Dominique, Joaquin, Misun, Magdalena,Paula, Arjumand .

If this house didn’t give me space, the part time role and the scholarship, I would not be able to continue the studies and my UK life would have ended as early as 2005. Thank you, Bryan, Robert, Crawford. Fast forward 12 years, I am still associated with the house as trustee and it’s here I met my wife Junko. I can travel to any country, there will be atleast one friend from William temple.

There is no place like William temple house..

Many say success is where preparation and opportunity meet. I disagree, you can prepare as long as you want, someone should trust you with the opportunity…

After a short stint with an investment firm, I joined Serco Dec 5, 2005 as a 24 year OLD Indian Tamil lad. First 3 years, never a day was same, every day was an opportunity, another chance, a new beginning. You were my mentors and I embraced your way of work. No hierarchy, ONE Team.

As a graduate, I built my integrity, empathy, leadership by watching and learning from YOU. I am really grateful and I press ON to do the right thing on the foundations you set me.  

Some memories are unforgettable remaining ever vivid and heart-warming. I am blessed with my professional family. Suddenly so many things become so little, when we realise how blessed and lucky, we are.

An effective leader must be able to build relationships and create communities.  Each relationship nurtures a strength or weakness within you. However successful you are, there is no substitute for a close relationship. We all need them.

I received the following message from Phil Edwards, my first Managing Director, 2005 

“I have watched your progress over the past couple of years and I am impressed with what you have achieved, sincere congratulations.  You were always one to watch and your hard work has paid off, demonstrating your true character. I trust you remain in good health and that you are enjoying life to the full”

Thank you, Phil. I am pleased to say – I have all the relationships in my life, I am fulfilled in my life and career.

Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together. Treasure your relationships, not your possessions. You spend a majority of your time at work, so it isn’t uncommon for you to find some of your best friends there.

I think if I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. I value these friends who always find time on their calendar. They make me stronger; they make me braver. Thank you for being not just a great colleague but my best friend.

Every company has two organisation structures. The formal one is written on the charts and the other is the everyday relationship between colleagues. Yes, we all came from different business segments and we were never part of the same chart.  Does it matter – NO. We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other regardless of our official title and roles .

Matt Hills Pooven Maduramuthu Elaine Bailey Craig Nunn Matt Brown Richard Smalley Samantha Bond David Selvaratnam William Moore Hamish Lorrain-Smith Nick Gage Melody Saunders Annabelle Leask Allen Widdowson Nicky Waite Jenni Halliday CMgr MCMI Rishi Shah Corrine Slater Nick McGeorge Andrew Wells Ashley Brookes Adam Esposito David Tanner Alan J. Dawson David McGookin Tammy Pepper Louise Rockall Heidi Watson Mark Oldfield Nick Woods  Alastair Dick Ben Sheppard Cassandra Pickerill Paul Rennie MSc PGDip Neil Spurway Wyn Jones Wendy Sinclair Brian Anderson Yvette Carter Craig Thomson Simon Henbest Chris Nillesen Philip Edwards Lynne Morrison Emma France Alex Morison Jacqui Cunningham Gemma Edwards Merlyn Stracey Tim Field Gillian Connelly Warren Tsoi

Some memories are unforgettable remaining ever vivid and heart-warming. I recently met most of my ex. Colleagues through zoom. Suddenly so many things become so little, when we realise how blessed and lucky, we are.

Great things in life and business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. The nicest thing about being part of team is that you always have others on your side.

After Serco, Engie was my home.

Looking back, my time at Engie is where I developed the character to be an entrepreneur. Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this.  Today I march forward enduring many setbacks and grieves, thank you for your trust and the push for I know you did it because you care. Thank you 🙂

Wilfrid Petrie Nicola Lovett Louise Williamson Chris Mayer Mark Downes Mark Harris Gavin Wainer Matt Horridge Saddiq Ahmed James Spires Robert Cunliffe Matthew Chart Simon Winkworth Gordon sheret Natalie Keaney CF APMP Simon Woods Sam Hockman Ben Lovett Nick Chasmar Andrew Hatton MIWFM John Haynes Caroline Hopkins Holly Stockbridge-Hodgson Tamsin Hutchings Kevin Sawyer Peter Buff Marija Buzolic Matthew Kendall Amanda Stannard Leila Schrey Melissa Vincent Alex Jones Hadleigh Standen Yasir Patel Joe Maloney Amber Bauer Harry Casillas Vincent Manier

After Engie, I made life friends at Mitie – Colin Dobell, Danny Spencer, Nick Preece, Stephen Morley, Paul Chris Piper, Chris Palmer, Graham Harvey, Michael Dietlbacher, Tina Hobart, Jo Gittins, Alex Miller, Nigel Luhrs, Chris Newton, Kaye Weston, Cijo Joseph, Karen, Linditta Kuraja 

just want to thank all my serco, engie and mitie friends.

Garry Carter, Louise Williamson, Andrew York – you gave me the space to widen my capability. Thank yu  

If I know little something about public services – it’s because of Business service association – Thank you Mark Fox, Peter Campbell, Melanie Maxwell Scott, Gemma Parrick, Laura West and Piers Neill. 

Looking back, reflect and thank the person, team who gave you that ONE Opportunity in your early career that changed your way of life.

ifm – David Emanuel and Elliott Chase – I always cherish your honesty and really respect your friendship 

Thank you for all your love, education and support. I sincerely thank each and every one of YOU, for your massive influence in my life. 

After 10 years, I took redundancy May 2014. I had a plan – yes take interim roles and then decide next steps. Just 2 weeks from redundancy, my father was diagnosed with cancer and my interim role was cancelled. I was travelling on and off to India to support my father. My father was in intensive care for over 120 days over 9 months. After settling my father back in our home in India for the 3rd time, I returned to UK. I used all my redundancy money for my young family living expense and father’s medical bills in India.

I was in job seeker allowance for 9 months, signing for my benefits in the morning getting £72/week then standing in Croydon surrey street market after 5pm waiting for the sellers to offer 2 bowls for £1.

I have seen them starting to unload and set up their stand from 6am and they finish around 5pm, such hard workers. Few weeks went, the farmers in the market shared more fruit and veg for £1 and then stopped getting money from me – every week I get 12 bowls of fruit and veg for FREE, my eldest son then 19 months will always get his apple and banana free.

After the weekly purchase at the market, I normally get chicken and chips for £1.99 from a chicken shop near church street tram street. As week progressed, they stopped getting money.

Things started to improve from 2015, I started training at my local My local gym, my PT studio

MY PT gym community led by Tom Riddick and Danny Wallace and my trainers Mike, John, Nathan, Jolene, Cassia, Andre, Dean, Pete, Nick, Ben, Saj, Beatrice, Mitch, Danielle, Camilla, Esme, Lee always stood next to me and they ensured I do not break mentally.

My trainers

The studio is my world and my gym friends are my angels. I can happily spend the whole day here (some people think I do..)

I am big believer in self-sufficient local economy. I buy local, eat and drink in local restaurants, train in local gym.

When I faced cash flow issues in 2018, Croydon council economic development team – Councillor Manju Shaheel Hameed, Carol Squires and Enterprise Croydon Team Keith Miller stepped in to support my business.

Sussex Innovation, One Croydon is my base, many think I pop into gym and live there.

Yes I do!! Beyond workplace it’s a beautiful place where beautiful people work – Saffron Saunders, Simon Chuter, Helena Jevons, Joseph, Nigel Lambe, Mike Herd, Lucy Paine and my neighbours Nigel Davey, Nisha Menon, David  – thanks for coping with me..

Croydon gave me everything. I love Croydon and I will always be a Croydon Ambassador

I will never forget the kindness.

The most successful entrepreneurs tell you they have a great team. It is rare to find a business partner and association who is selfless. If you are lucky it happens once in a lifetime! I’m pleased to have the support of a great strategic team full of committed individuals. Actually, they are all my friends, every single one stepped into to fulfil my dream!   I carry that emotional burden every day, how to pay back this unconditional love.

Together they make Baachu one great team. I’m much more of a believer in finding a great team of people and trusting them to follow their instincts. I cannot even explain how blessed I am and how fortunate that I have such a great team that believes in me.

Aysha Begum, Anuradha, Sachin Khanna, Nidhish, Nitin Dogra, Aadhesh Paramesh, Suresh, Saud Abbasi, Revathy, Sree, Blessey, Reema, Saksham, Gautam, Karan, Shahid, Brian, Alex, Kushal, Santhosh, Vishnu, Karan Kalra Lucky Bahl Navneet Bajaj, Neharika Yadav Charu J Nath Yogyta Yadav Gautam Sandil Pradeep Gupta Rajesh Dadhich Nishant Sonkar

Many of the team members have been with me for over 10 years.  

Aysha and Anu – you set the foundations for Scribble and Rain, The long hours you spent in shaping the concept, identifying resources and delivering the project. I owe you both my life.

Nidhish – you are my one-man scribble engine.

Revathy – You single handedly wrote 50% of scribble content. Love your smile, Stay happy and thank you to your words.

Sree – the perfectionist who looks after the podcast and google 

Ros –  from client accounts to a trusted friend you stretch me every day 

Arnab & Protiti – my legal counsel and sounding board. Baachu Online exists because of you. Thanks for everything.

Sachin – one relationship, 12 years, 30 projects, you are my brother. I learnt how to think from heart from you.

Nitin – behind your creative genius, I know you are the kindest person I have ever met

Saud – you are the most dedicated person I have ever worked with. Thank you for all the support.

Karan – aside professional relationship, have to say – I lost my elder brother even before I was born, with your unconditional love you always remind me of him.. Thank you bro karan.

Vishnu – you are my tech brain. Love your ability to build AI solutions for niche problems  

Blessey, Nirosha, Soumya, Puran, Manish, Nirosha, Karthick, Gauri- My Bigger Future. 

With respect to the desire for capability, all of humanity is equal. We are all involved in the same movement. Every new
expansion of your unique capabilities increases your fascination with what you’re doing in the present and how you’re motivated by the further unpredictable expansion that lies ahead

You cannot succeed in any markets unless you are part of a great team. The team is the essence of how you win. Many people helped me along the way. Always remember the people who were loyal to you, and never forget them. I do and thank you for everything.

It’s easy to donate the surplus money when you are rich but the surrey street market taught me to share  whatever you have. Baachu Scribble scholarship was inspired by these farmers – we give more than we make. You can see the winners here 

Its courage not only receive but to share

Why I believe education is a privilege and the BIG WHY to $100,000 scholarship and funding $30 challenge fee to children poverty charities? My grandparents can only afford one meal a day, with hunger my father studied under street lights to become the first graduate in his village. He sowed the seed for the privilege that made me the first person to leave my village to study abroad at Imperial College, UK.

If you are wondering why the trek in scribble challenge ? My 3 week trip in 2019 to Mt.Annapurna base camp and MBC definitely reaffirmed my  life purpose and built my resilience to go big, it’s a reminder to reinforce –  Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and how you do it!

I am pleased in a short time, we have created a framework and launched this  gratitude based global initiative for bid and proposal professionals supported by 15+ big-hearted professionals who kindly volunteered to support the challenge. Each of these ambassadors are the pillars to this challenge which followed 4 stages over 3 months.

Scribble challenge ambassadors – Venu Manohar CF. APMP Ashley Kayes, CP APMP Charlotte Rees Caryn Kent Dean, CP APMP Karthik Koutharapu, CP.APMP® Ceri Mescall CPP APMP Farah Alnasser, CF APMP Natacha Alamo CF APMP Nicole Thake CPP APMP Alex Miller Natasha Mauer CP.APMP Arun Arumugam Vikki Ogden Samvedna Sibbal – thank you for everything.

Personally, this experience of encouraging gratitude in our community reinforced myself and expanded my world.  We usually feel vulnerable when we’re open about who we are, what we want, and how we really feel. But this directness is the best way to maintain an honest and authentic way of relating that gets us what we want in life.

My sincere thanks to everyone who supported the initiative. We will continue this 2020 and beyond.

Howard Nutt, Tony Birch, Cathy Day, Samantha Enslen, Ashley Kayes, Jane Hamlin, Nic Adams. Alan Howard, Rick Harris, BJ Lownie, Jon Williams, Robin Davies, Larry Newman, David Bol, Colleen Jolly, Betsy Blakney, Kristin Webb, Kristin Dufrene, Ajay Patel, Dick Eassom, Randy Richter, Dr. Tom Sant, Jeff Leitner, Mike Parkinson, Chris Simmons, Tim Snell, Krystn Macomber, Stacey Duwe, Ceri ,Mescall Nancy Kessler, Mike walsh, Ali paskun  – you are the reason I am continuing break my barriers. Thank you for pushing me.

Ashley – so far (27/05) we have completed 120 episodes for Scribble Talk, you have shared 150 hours of your life. I have no words to express my gratitude. My best co- host and friend

Sam – In a very short time, you have become a my best friend. You always take time to check my well being, edit website and share ideas. I am so blessed to have you in my life.

To my scribble talk guests- I am grateful for your 90 min.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. Please do find time to thank the people who make a difference in your lives. Today my heart beats out for close friends like you who have been understanding, loyal and supportive, every step of the way.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. To the 100s of bid and proposal professionals who have placed on trust on me and Baachu Scribble – Thank you.

I sincerely thank every participant who blocked one hour of their life in joining the Time blocking webinar. Time is an emotion. We are in testing times –  Stay home, stay calm and serve those who need you.

The only thing that we ALL have in common is TIME. Every human has the same amount every day. What YOU are and What YOU will be will be based on how you use your TIME. You can never stop time. TIME is LIFE!  My personal gratitude to Mera McKenna Katherine Becchina, CF APMP Manorajan Sivagnanam Rita Palanjian for taking the time to send me a personal message, it really means a lot to me.

Baachu currently supports 240 children in rural India. Baachu was accredited to Disability Confident Employer and Good Employer Croydon, I recruited two disabled boys – with autism and cerebral palsy, nurture foster children in Croydon. We give work experience to 20+ Croydon college students a year

I learned so much from these children. Thank you for teaching me life.

There were so many who came in and guided me through the ups and downs. Remembering their gesture, I dedicate this little initiative to all the volunteers, mentors and managers who quietly inspire and impact the world around them. I am excited and really humbled to learn from the next generation. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow 🙂

May all the children be blessed with safe and happy lives, may they have plenty of food to eat, clean water to drink, clean clothes to wear, shelter to live.

2016 – 2017, Baachu was cruising towards our aim to become million-dollar business by 2020. Within 18 months, we had our first shock, it all started with my customers delaying payments, I couldn’t pay back to my research partners on time and one UK based subcontractors gave me red notice, I struggled to pay VAT and corporation tax. To make it worse, Lloyds bank (my then business account provider) had issues paying to our indian research partner. Till date, I don’t understand what is the issue – it took them 3 months to transfer and I had to make 50+ call checking the status – totally distracted me and the company as we were pre occupied with this.

After 3 months, I went to twitter tagged then Lloyds CEO to stand by your values, guess what in a day,  my Lloyds business bank account was closed!

With cash of £540 in January 2018, Baachu had to be restructured… I took personal credits of £30,000 took further £35,000 from Croydon Enterprise Fund and applied for £27,000 overdraft with HSBC to readjust the books launched Baachu Rain, commercial intelligence product in 2018 which failed to take off. Things only start to spiral down from there, I was not able to pay my research partner on time and every single time I was given extra time to pay. Both Croydon enterprise fund and HSBC Business banking stepped in to support me even further. Now with Covid19, my business manager Emma called me to check whether I am OK, and she helped me to secure the BBILS loan. My research partner never asked for the pending payments worth £11,000 and the Croydon enterprise fund and Croydon council deferred payments.

I know behind these institutions there are many big hearted people, I cant name them but they prove businesses can be kind and I will always remember this kindness.

Pour into your relationships. Do not underestimate the value of showing yourself love every day. When you live in love and with passion, you are more likely to be fulfilled, happy, healthy and appreciative of the people you encounter. I challenge YOU to keep this mindset of loving others and you going, every day for the rest of your life. Keep expressing appreciation, admiration and gratitude for all the awesome people you know – you’ll be glad you did.

Love can be celebrated in many ways, in just as many places. Celebrate all the relationships in your life. Express your love for family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours by showing heartfelt admiration for them.

A  little boy born in sulur, Coimbatore with English as second language is carving a space in UK,..

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.I always believe the secret to a fulfilling life is we have more beginnings than end. Tomorrow we have a new beginning, an opportunity to share more love and unity. Let tomorrow morning set the new beginning to better relationships and a new ending to the bad memories.

I personally believe, Love and Trust both come into existence only when someone chooses over your vulnerabilities. I confess – Yes, I am vulnerable, and Scribble is 1 year old.  I made errors no matter how strong we appear to be.

If you could see our Baachu mascot, you would see the smile that you put on it.  Your Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Always remember, Happiness is a INTERNAL DECISION not a result OF EXTERNAL FACTORS.

Research shows kindness encourages increased health and increased emotional wellbeing in the workplace.  Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. When you are kind to others, its not only changes you, it changes the world.

As I always say, if you have to choose between being kind and being right, choose KIND and you will always be RIGHT. People often forget kindness is a GIFT everyone can afford to give. Stay Kind. Let us forever remember the sacrifices our nurses and doctors are making for all of us. Let us forever be grateful to our life, health and our relationships.

Life really begins when you decide to be yourself. Sometime, situation forces you to be yourself. I was a reluctant entrepreneur; I launched a strategy consultancy business for government services – Baachu in 2015. I was consulting at a very high level working with CEOs, Managing Directors, Strategy and Sales Directors of multinational services companies like Serco, G4S, Capita, Carillion, Engie and so on.

End 2015, I took month-long trip to Bali. I was lost. Mt Batur is 1800m above sea level is an active volcano. I started my trek 3am and reached the top 6am –. Sun came up and I saw a whole new world.. I felt I am so blessed for Baskar Sundaram stands for Beautiful SUN.. and I appreciated the moment where I was and the people who contributed to my success. I told myself 3 years from now, I will be in completely different place, mentally, spiritually and financially. All I need to do is just to keep working on my health and relationships.

Within 18 months, we had 20+ consultancy projects from UKs leading government services companies. Brexit had a huge impact on my government services industry where over a period of 6- 10 months many top governments suppliers company share price crashed (Serco, G4S, Babcock MITIE, Carilion). Additionally, these companies experienced constant restructuring including senior management changes.

Projects worth £250 000 were cancelled at short notice which left our consultancy business reeling.

We had to change our business model and diversify quickly to meet these changing needs, in addition to selling our strategy services to our clients.

I had to let go off many team members. 3 years have passed, I recognised I have the spotlight. I thought about quitting then I notice who was watching – the HR who told I am too nice to be a leader to the random act of kindness – NHS Nurse who took personal care when I had swine flu (with no family around) during my student days or the farmer lady who gave me 5 bowls of fruit and veg every week in Croydon church street market for free when I was looking for work post redundancy or a person in a local pub who gave me free ticket (worth £500) to attend Tony Robbin’s Unleash Power Within event.

I re-invented myself as key person of influence in UK government services industry advising CXOs – Investors in UK, USA and Middle East and supported UK Gov on Brexit, welfare services and armed forces policies.

I spent 4 weeks in Nepal trekking Mt Annapurna Base Camp April 2019 and have participated in 6 Tough Mudder Competition. For a boy born in a different country, English as second language, who was told he had hole in his heart by birth, stammered during his school days, reluctant entrepreneur to participate in activities and speaker engagements I am pleased with my journey. If life doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

Yes, we live in a world where work begins the moment you pick up your phone in the morning and stops only when you force yourself to put it down. Out of my father’s ashes have come many new and restored connections. So many have had impact on my life. I sincerely, thank everyone for being one of mine. I am now very careful in prioritising my time with my loved ones, business and friends. I honestly didn’t expect such high and lows when I started on this journey. In my head, I thought it would be a lot more stable and a lot more predictable Instead – it’s been 7 years of fascinating highs and terrible lows. And in the middle of all of this I realized, the key is then to manage your own narrative. What is the story you tell yourself every single day as an entrepreneur? I realised managing one’s psychology remains the single biggest determinant of success. How I stand in front of my team, my customers, my prospects, my family, my delivery partners and my competitors – is how the startup stands during the journey. Everything else – team, market factors, family, funding– is a manifestation of your thoughts

I realised Being a candle is not easy, in order to give light, one must burn. I realised my character is who I am, and my reputation is merely what others think of me. Thank you Baskar for your persistence.

I am blessed with beautiful family, caring friends and an amazing community.

 My core business values are Build Confidence, Seek Purpose and Make an Impact. How do I define myself? I am T- Shaped Social Entrepreneur with Empathy as my core leadership trait. I am super proud by all that I have achieved, super humbled by all that I have experienced and super grateful for the people I work with every day 🙂

As Albert Einstein said, Try Not to Become a Man of Success. Rather Become a Man of Value. Education is my passion.