Ankur Warikoo recalls getting a ‘Sadhana cut’ in the US, reveals why his second year changed everything

For entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo, his first year in the USA was quite "forgettable", as per him. However, his second year, turned out to be full of ordinary moments, which later became his cherished memories. He reminisced his time on X talking about an unexpected friendship bond, getting hair cuts, baking cakes, watching series and eating pizzas. While the memories had nothing to do with their academic journey or career milestones, the roommate and these moments have become his memories.

Ankur Warikoo recalls his unusual haircut and life with his roommate

In a post on X, Warikoo recalled how he and his roommate decided to buy a hair-cutting machine because a salon haircut cost $11, while the machine was available for $8. The purchase resulted in what Warikoo described as a ‘Sadhana cut’, an experience he still remembers. However, the haircut was only one of several moments that made those two years special.

His roommate baked him a birthday cake just two weeks after they started living together. Gradually, baking became a shared activity. The duo went grocery shopping, prepares their shopping lists and even worked out their monthly budgets. Their Thursday nights included watching FRIENDS and a reality show called Cheaters, along with pizza.

Why his second year in the US was different

For Warikoo his first year in the USA had been forgettable, but living with his roommate changed that experience and made his second year better and memorable. They shared meals, watched television, talked about life and gradually understood each other. When he bid adieu to the country, saying goodbye to his roommate, he recalls, was very difficult.

Reflecting on that period, he noted that the obvious milestones included earning a degree, making decisions, leaving the US and returning home. Yet, those were not the memories he wanted to hold on to most. Instead, he remembered shopping lists, monthly budgets, a birthday cake made by someone who had known him for only two weeks, ordinary Thursday evenings and the unfortunate haircut.

Warikoo summed up his reflection with a simple observation: “The big things define the chapter title. The small things write the chapter.”