He quit a Rs 2.9 crore US job. Now the IIT Bombay gold medallist runs a grocery store
An IIT Bombay degree, a reported Rs 2.9 crore job offer and a grocery shop in Kanpur, Vivek Sharma's reported journey has captured the internet's attention. The story has reignited debate over career ambitions, family responsibilities and the true meaning of success.
Just days before he was due to begin his dream career in the United States with a reported annual package of nearly Rs 2.9 crore, IIT Bombay Computer Science gold medallist Vivek Sharma made a life-altering decision.
Instead of flying to San Francisco, he reportedly chose to remain in Kanpur after his father suffered a heart attack and his mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Years later, his story has captured the internet after X user Vivek Alwys shared a post claiming Sharma now runs a small grocery shop beneath his home while teaching coding to underprivileged children. The viral account has sparked a wider conversation about ambition, family and what success truly means.
A DREAM OFFER WORTH RS 2.9 CRORE
According to the viral post, Vivek received an offer from a San Francisco-based startup with an annual salary of around $240,000 (approximately Rs 2.9 crore). The package reportedly included visa sponsorship, relocation benefits and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in the US.
For most graduates, it would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
THE SACRIFICES BEHIND HIS SUCCESS
Vivek reportedly comes from a lower-middle-class family in Kanpur. His father worked as a railway clerk, while his mother supplemented the family's income by taking tuition classes.
According to the post, his parents made significant sacrifices to support his education. They reportedly used up their savings, sold jewellery, and carefully managed every rupee so he could study in Kota before earning admission to IIT Bombay.
Their perseverance paid off when Vivek graduated in Computer Science and received a gold medal for his academic excellence
A LIFE-CHANGING TURN BEFORE DEPARTURE
According to the viral post, Vivek's plans to begin a career in the United States were upended by a family medical emergency.
His father reportedly suffered a heart attack, while his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the family navigated hospital visits, surgeries and chemotherapy, Vivek is said to have put his overseas ambitions on hold.
The post claims he chose to stay with his parents, cancelling his US visa interview and declining a job offer worth Rs 2.9 crore.
FROM IIT BOMBAY TO A GROCERY STORE
After deciding to remain in Kanpur, Vivek initially worked at a local software company. As financial responsibilities increased, he reportedly opened a small grocery shop beneath his home, named Sharma General Store.
While the decision surprised many, the store became an important source of income during one of the family's most difficult phases.
Alongside managing the business, Vivek is also said to teach coding to underprivileged children and take up freelance software projects at night.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME
Years later, the same international company reportedly reached out to Vivek once again. Instead of asking him to relocate, it is said to have offered him a remote role on an education-focused initiative, allowing him to continue living in Kanpur while caring for his parents.
The account has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users praising his reported decision to prioritise family over a high-paying overseas career. Several described his story as a reminder that success is defined not only by wealth or prestigious jobs but also by the values and choices people make.
MORE THAN A CAREER CHOICE
Whether or not one agrees with his decision, Vivek's story has reignited conversations about ambition, family responsibilities and the many ways success can be defined.
For students chasing IIT admissions, global careers and multi-crore salary packages, the story serves as a reminder that while academic excellence can open doors, life's most difficult decisions are often made far away from classrooms and corporate offices.
Just days before he was due to begin his dream career in the United States with a reported annual package of nearly Rs 2.9 crore, IIT Bombay Computer Science gold medallist Vivek Sharma made a life-altering decision.
Instead of flying to San Francisco, he reportedly chose to remain in Kanpur after his father suffered a heart attack and his mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Years later, his story has captured the internet after X user Vivek Alwys shared a post claiming Sharma now runs a small grocery shop beneath his home while teaching coding to underprivileged children. The viral account has sparked a wider conversation about ambition, family and what success truly means.
A DREAM OFFER WORTH RS 2.9 CRORE
According to the viral post, Vivek received an offer from a San Francisco-based startup with an annual salary of around $240,000 (approximately Rs 2.9 crore). The package reportedly included visa sponsorship, relocation benefits and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in the US.
For most graduates, it would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
THE SACRIFICES BEHIND HIS SUCCESS
Vivek reportedly comes from a lower-middle-class family in Kanpur. His father worked as a railway clerk, while his mother supplemented the family's income by taking tuition classes.
According to the post, his parents made significant sacrifices to support his education. They reportedly used up their savings, sold jewellery, and carefully managed every rupee so he could study in Kota before earning admission to IIT Bombay.
Their perseverance paid off when Vivek graduated in Computer Science and received a gold medal for his academic excellence
A LIFE-CHANGING TURN BEFORE DEPARTURE
According to the viral post, Vivek's plans to begin a career in the United States were upended by a family medical emergency.
His father reportedly suffered a heart attack, while his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the family navigated hospital visits, surgeries and chemotherapy, Vivek is said to have put his overseas ambitions on hold.
The post claims he chose to stay with his parents, cancelling his US visa interview and declining a job offer worth Rs 2.9 crore.
FROM IIT BOMBAY TO A GROCERY STORE
After deciding to remain in Kanpur, Vivek initially worked at a local software company. As financial responsibilities increased, he reportedly opened a small grocery shop beneath his home, named Sharma General Store.
While the decision surprised many, the store became an important source of income during one of the family's most difficult phases.
Alongside managing the business, Vivek is also said to teach coding to underprivileged children and take up freelance software projects at night.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME
Years later, the same international company reportedly reached out to Vivek once again. Instead of asking him to relocate, it is said to have offered him a remote role on an education-focused initiative, allowing him to continue living in Kanpur while caring for his parents.
The account has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users praising his reported decision to prioritise family over a high-paying overseas career. Several described his story as a reminder that success is defined not only by wealth or prestigious jobs but also by the values and choices people make.
MORE THAN A CAREER CHOICE
Whether or not one agrees with his decision, Vivek's story has reignited conversations about ambition, family responsibilities and the many ways success can be defined.
For students chasing IIT admissions, global careers and multi-crore salary packages, the story serves as a reminder that while academic excellence can open doors, life's most difficult decisions are often made far away from classrooms and corporate offices.
