Not salary or job title or moving to US: Techie from Mumbai slums shares his proudest moment

Standing in the house he had bought for his father in Mumbai, Hemant Shukla, an Indian IT professional settled in the US, felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Buying a house for his father in Mumbai was his proudest moment, not just because it symbolized years of hard work, but because it was a tribute to his parents’ sacrifices, especially his mother, whose unwavering support had laid the foundation for his journey, he said.

His inspiring story was recently featured by Humans of Mumbai. Growing up in the slums of Mumbai, where survival took precedence over dreaming, his father worked as an auto-rickshaw driver. Childhood was a struggle, marked by odd jobs like packing bangles or delivering documents for an insurance company to help make ends meet. It was during one of these errands that he noticed office workers using computers. To him, those machines symbolized success and importance, sparking a desire to rise above his circumstances.

That dream, however, was overshadowed by the loss of his mother during his teenage years. Her death was a crushing blow. With limited resources, Hemant enrolled in a local college to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, hoping it would open doors to better opportunities.

Turning point for the Techie

The turning point in his life came during his final year of college. He accompanied a friend to a job interview at Fractal, a global analytics company, and decided on a whim to apply. And he got selected. That first job was life-changing. Within months, he was automating processes and leading projects.


Four years into his career, he was offered the chance to work on a project in the US. In 2016, he boarded his first international flight, heading to the U.S. for work. A year later, he relocated his family to Chicago, where he led many global projects for his company.

However, none of these accomplishments, he said, compared to the moment he purchased a home for his father. That house was more than just a physical space; it represented his family’s journey from poverty to dignity. It was a testament to his mother’s sacrifices and the resilience they had built as a family, he said.

Today, he serves as the Customer Success Lead at Fractal’s Chicago office, far removed from the struggles of his youth. His story has inspired many, demonstrating that no dream is too big if pursued with determination and faith. For this techie, the house in Chicago isn’t just a symbol of success—it’s a reminder of how far love, hard work, and hope can take you.

Netizens, moved by his journey, shared messages of admiration and encouragement, celebrating his triumph and the inspiration it brings to others striving to turn their dreams into reality.