For many students, securing admission to an IIT is considered the gateway to a successful and stable career. But for Saurabh Bothra, an IIT-BHU graduate, the degree became the starting point of a very different journey, one that would eventually help millions embrace healthier lifestyles through yoga.Today, Bothra’s online wellness platform, Habuild, has built a global community of over 1.5 crore students in 169 countries. What began as a personal exploration of meditation and yoga has evolved into a movement that encourages people to look after their health every day.From IIT classes to yoga sessionsBorn and raised in Maharashtra, Saurabh Bothra grew up in an environment that valued service and purpose. Inspired by his grandfather, who left city life to serve the villagers as a doctor, and influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Bothra developed an early interest in creating a meaningful impact.After gaining admission to IIT-BHU, he seemed destined for a conventional engineering career. However, a chance encounter during a train journey introduced him to meditation and yoga. What started as a personal practice gradually turned into a passion strong enough to make him rethink his future.Instead of following the traditional IIT career trajectory, Bothra chose to devote herself to teaching yoga, a decision that came with years of uncertainty and struggle.The struggle of six years before successThe road was far from easy. For nearly six years, Bothra worked to establish himself as a yoga educator, traveling extensively and conducting sessions in various communities. During this period, he observed a recurring pattern: people really wanted to improve their health, but found it difficult to keep it consistent.This intuition became the foundation of his future adventure. Rather than focusing solely on teaching yoga techniques, Bothra wanted to help people build lasting wellness habits that they could incorporate into their daily routine.This vision finally led to the launch of Habuild in March 2020, just days before the Covid-19 lockdown changed life around the world.How the daily habit has become a global movementAs millions have been confined to their homes during the pandemic, Habuild’s simple approach has resonated widely. The platform encourages participants to attend daily yoga sessions, creating accountability and consistency instead of chasing quick results.Word of mouth recommendations from families and communities have helped the platform expand rapidly. The model has proven especially popular among women who balance professional and family responsibilities, offering an accessible way to prioritize their well-being.Today, Habuild’s reach extends to 169 countries, connecting more than 1.5 crore people through everyday wellness practices. For Bothra, however, the mission remains unchanged: to help individuals build sustainable habits that lead to healthier and happier lives.His journey serves as a reminder that success does not always follow a predefined path. Sometimes, straying from the intended path can create a much bigger impact than imagined.
