Every year, thousands of engineering students dream of studying at the IITs, landing a high-paying job abroad and building a successful career overseas. For many, this is the ultimate definition of success. But a story that’s gone viral online reminds people that sometimes, life’s biggest decisions aren’t made in boardrooms — they’re made at home.Encounter By Vivek Sharmaan IIT Bombay Computer Science gold medalist who reportedly turned down a $240,000 (roughly Rs 2.9 crore) annual job offer from a San Francisco-based startup just before moving to the US. The reason was not a better salary or another opportunity. It was his parents.Today, instead of living in Silicon Valley, he runs a small shop below his house in Kanpur, teaches coding to underprivileged children and says something that resonated deeply with readers: “My parents are my biggest company.”
The IIT dream that his parents helped build
Vivek’s journey started in a lower middle class family in Kanpur.His father worked as a railway employee, while his mother took school courses to supplement the family’s income. Like countless Indian parents, they invested everything they had in their child’s education. According to the viral post, savings were exhausted, jewelry was sold and every rupee was carefully planned so that Vivek could study in Kota before gaining admission to IIT Bombay.The sacrifices paid off.Not only did Vivek graduate in Computer Science, he also won a gold medal. In his senior year, he received what many engineering students would describe as a dream offer — a position at a San Francisco startup with an annual package worth nearly $240,000, complete with visa sponsorship and relocation.It seemed like years of hard work had finally come together.Then life changed overnight.
A decision that redefined success
Shortly before he was to leave for the US, Vivek’s father suffered a heart attack. At the same time, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.Suddenly, the excitement of a global career gave way to hospital visits, surgeries, chemotherapy and uncertainty.She was faced with a choice for which no on-campus placement could prepare students.Should he go abroad and pursue the opportunity he had worked so hard to earn, or stay behind with the two people who had sacrificed everything for him?He chose to stay.According to the post, Vivek canceled his visa interview and declined the offer.Many people questioned his decision. Some would have told him he was too emotional. Others felt he was giving up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.But for Vivek, the answer was simple.His parents needed him more than any company.
From IIT Bombay to Sharma General Store
After being returned, Vivek initially took a local software job in Kanpur. As the financial responsibilities grew, he opened a small grocery store under his house – Sharma General Store.At first glance, it seemed an unlikely destination for an IIT Bombay gold medallist.Yet the store has become much more than a business.It helped the family stay grounded during one of the most difficult phases of their lives while allowing Vivek to stay close to his parents.Over time, according to the viral account, his mother’s health improved and his father’s condition stabilized. Besides running the shop, Vivek started teaching coding to underprivileged children and took on freelance software assignments at night.Years later, his story reached the same international company whose offer he had once declined. This time, instead of asking him to transfer, they invited him to contribute remotely to an initiative focused on education.Today, Vivek continues to balance technology, teaching and family, all without leaving the city he once thought he would leave forever.
Because his story resonates with thousands
The story sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many professionals saying it challenged their own definition of success.Some shared similar experiences of returning home to care for elderly parents, even when it meant putting successful careers on hold. Others have observed that results cannot always be measured by salaries, job titles or foreign positions.One comment reflects that success is contextual – for some, it means building a global career; for others, it means staying close to family when they need you most.Another wrote that life is not a race with a single finish line. Everyone has different responsibilities, different circumstances and different timelines, making comparisons unfair and incomplete.For students chasing entrance exams, campus placements and dream packages, Vivek’s journey offers an important reminder.Academic excellence can open doors.A great career can create opportunities.But sometimes, the hardest decision—and perhaps the bravest—is choosing people over prestige.Whether you agree with Vivek’s decision or not, his story has sparked a wider conversation about ambition, responsibility and what success really means.Maybe that’s why one line from his journey continues to stick with readers:“My parents are my biggest company.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral post on social media and online public discussions. TOI Education has not independently verified the personal data, academic credentials, employment history or events described. The story is presented for informational and inspirational purposes only and reflects the claims made in the original post and subsequent public reactions.
