No IIT, no mentor: Techie who survived on 1–2 samosas a day and started with just Rs 20,000 a month reveals how he rose to become one of youngest VPs

Failing one of India's toughest entrance exams twice would be enough to break many people's confidence. Add financial struggles, student loans and days spent surviving on just a couple of samosas, and the odds seem even tougher. Yet for one tech professional, those setbacks became the foundation of an extraordinary success story. In a viral post on X, @JainJec2013 revealed how he went from an IIT aspirant battling disappointment and poverty to becoming one of the youngest vice presidents in his industry, proving that resilience can sometimes matter more than the perfect start.

Failed IIT Dreams Left Him Feeling Broken

In a post shared on X, the techie opened up about the emotional toll of failing the IIT entrance exam. Growing up in a small town, he said the disappointment felt even heavier because of constant comparisons and silent judgement from people around him.


"At one point, it genuinely felt like life was over," he wrote, reflecting on one of the toughest phases of his life.

Left Home and Battled Financial Hardships

After missing out on IIT admission, he moved to another city and enrolled in a government engineering college. However, financial challenges soon became a major hurdle.

According to his post, his parents were unable to fully support his education, forcing him to depend on student loans. To cover expenses, he started teaching mathematics to school students while pursuing his degree.

"There were days when 1–2 samosas were enough to get through the entire day," he revealed.

Started His Career With a Rs 20,000 Salary

After graduating, he secured a campus placement in an IT support role that paid Rs 20,000 a month.

While he appreciated the opportunity, he knew he wanted more from his career. He decided to focus on building a better future for himself and his family.

Taught Himself AI and Machine Learning

Instead of spending his evenings relaxing after work, the techie dedicated his time to learning artificial intelligence and machine learning.

He said he had no mentor, no expensive coaching programme, and no clear roadmap.

"I started learning AI/ML on my own. No roadmap. No expensive courses. No mentor guiding me. Just curiosity, internet, and the hunger to create a different life," he wrote on X.

His self-learning eventually helped him land an opportunity to work on an AI and machine learning project, which became a major turning point in his career.

From AI Projects to Leadership Roles

The experience opened new doors, allowing him to move from AI-focused work into product management and business leadership positions.

Years later, he found himself earning alongside friends who had successfully cracked IIT when he could not.

Now based in Dubai, the techie says his journey taught him a valuable lesson about resilience and perseverance.

"You do not need the perfect start to build an extraordinary life. You need resilience," he wrote.

X Users Praise His Inspirational Journey

The post struck a chord with many users on X, with several people applauding his determination and hard work.

One user commented, "Dubai has been life-changing for so many Indians. Wishing you all the best."

Another wrote, "You were always meant for big things. Glad you had this realisation from day one."

A third user added, "Behind every success story are countless struggles which we have no idea about. Keep sharing your journey and inspire us."

The story has become a reminder that setbacks, including failing one of India's toughest entrance exams, do not have to define a person's future. Sometimes, resilience and consistent effort can take people further than they ever imagined.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post shared on social media. The Economic Times has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com or The Economic Times. Readers are advised to exercise discretion.