Indian techie working at Google honours mother with Times Square billboard after years of setbacks and success

An Indian employee at Google has captured widespread attention on social media after surprising his mother with a billboard in New York's Times Square featuring her photograph. The gesture was intended as a tribute to the sacrifices she made while raising him.

The video, shared by Abhijay Arora Vuyyuru, shows him revealing the billboard to his mother during a video call. As her image appeared on the screen in Times Square, she smiled while watching the tribute from afar.

Also Read: Harvard MBA but no job: How this Indian techie eventually landed at Google with visa clock ticking down

Billboard tribute celebrates mother's role in his journey

In the caption accompanying the video, Abhijay described the moment as the most special day of his life and said the billboard was a way of expressing gratitude for his mother's sacrifices.

He wrote that he came from humble beginnings in Panchkula, where his mother raised him on her own. According to Abhijay, she ensured he received the best possible education despite having studied with second-hand books herself.

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A post shared by Abhijay Arora Vuyyuru | AI, Tech & Careers (@abhijayarora_)

The social media post encouraged viewers to remain grateful to those who support their dreams and ambitions.

Abhijay reflects on setbacks and determination

Abhijay also shared details about the challenges he faced during his academic journey.

Recalling 2012, he said he failed to clear the IIT entrance examination and remembered seeing his mother upset by the outcome. He wrote that the experience motivated him to work harder and promise that he would one day make her proud.

According to his account, persistence became a defining factor in the years that followed.

Journey from rejection to career success

Describing his professional path, Abhijay said he graduated in 2016 without securing a job but went on to win a hackathon in 2017.

He added that between 2016 and 2020, he did not work for a major technology company and spent years preparing for the GMAT, taking the examination three times.

Abhijay further revealed that in 2021 he received rejection letters from business schools and was advised by consultants to abandon his plans of studying in the United States. Instead, he continued pursuing his goal.

According to the post, he was admitted to Harvard University in 2022 and later joined Google in 2025.

He concluded by encouraging people not to give up on their ambitions and to appreciate those who make personal sacrifices to help others succeed.

Social media users praise emotional gesture

The video attracted numerous reactions from users who praised both the tribute and Abhijay's journey.

Several commenters described the story as inspiring, while others said his mother's smile reflected the significance of the achievement.

Many users highlighted the themes of perseverance, gratitude and hard work, describing his experiences as an example of how determination can help overcome setbacks.