Birth Of A Startup IT Company

The odd jobs I was doing were paying me well enough to sustain the living. For sure they were exhausting, but there was no way I would have backed down. I had tasted the self-satisfaction coming from the work done with full commitment. Most of my early life was spent running after short term pleasures and hiding from facing the necessary pain. A pleasure junkie who would make impulsive decisions in search of happiness all the time would often run away from the responsibilities and commitments. Quitting in the face of resistance and challenging situations had been the motto of my life back then. I would pursue things as long as I could extract happiness from them. Honestly, I wasn't really interested in anything other than constantly searching for happiness in everyone and everything. Though the pain was an integral part of success and self-growth, my addiction to seeking happiness in every moment took me far away from becoming a real man. My choice to live by emotional decisions while torching my rational mind was the reason behind me getting broke. After getting brutally smacked down by life, I had understood the importance of rational thinking. My friendship with the pain was the new beginning of my life. I guess, better late than never.

Our Israeli friend Noa had plans to come to Goa in February. When we had met 3 months back in Salli, there was a discussion on some work she had planned to bring to India. She had a strong network of owners and higher management of many IT companies in Israel. Noa had convinced her IT company owner friend to take one project to India. The promise she had made to me in Salli about my job was soon to turn into a reality. I was going to lead and manage the entire project. Though I had a background in Finance and not in IT, I was ready to learn and grab the opportunity. For my initial guidance to the project, Noa had asked the client to accompany one employee with her to India for a couple of months till I get trained. I was excited to learn something new and start a full-time legit job. Meanwhile, I was helping Artur on weekends in his kabab food stall.

Noa and Or reached Morjim just before Valentine's day. We were happy to see our friend after 3 months. She had brought a bag full of special chips from Israel called Bamba. Very unique taste but eating them with masala chai hadn't been a good idea. While Madhu and Noa were busy sharing their endless stream of stories, me and Or were getting to know each other. Or was a jolly young boy in his mid-20s, super passionate about food and travelling. He was working on building his own App alongside working in an IT company. Soon after spending a couple of hours with him, I realised his nature was just like mine. Calm, quiet, easy-going, laid back, overthinker and in general confused about life. I felt like looking into the mirror by looking at him. Soon we started to arrange the logistics required to start our work. The master bedroom where Or was living was converted into our office by joining two tables in front of his bed facing the window. The high-speed broadband connection was set up on short notice. And the stage was set up for the beginning of a startup IT company.

A New Adventure Had Begun. 

Odd Jobs In Goa

Morjim was back in action soon after the tourist's arrival in December. The season started late by 2 months and many businesses got their initial hard hit. As soon as the high-end restaurants resumed their business, our friend Artur became very busy. We would hardly see him sometimes for many days. On certain days he would visit us by bringing his delicious food. I was happy to see him back in his business as a high energy person like him would suffer if he has no work. Our work was still taking its time to gather pace. Unlike the previous year, that year was not looking promising for our business. Due to lesser visa duration and price hike, many Russians had turned their back to Goa and went to other foreign destinations. And the ones who came to Morjim were on the budget to seemingly not afford our high treatment charges. We would get a few clients on odd days to keep the living cost at breakeven. Hope to make a decent profit that year was in despair. Also, there weren't any clients for fitness coaching, unlike the previous year.

With a newfound love for working, I was ready to take on any challenge on my way as long as it would pay me. The decision to choose the work by co-relating it to my educational and work experience background was long gone. I had removed all the tags from my mind about the nature of any work. As long as I would be busy working, and spending my energy in a constructive way, it would bring peace. After living with the backpackers and listening to their stories on how they would do odd jobs to make money, I saw a little hope in raising my bank balance which had touched rock bottom. I started thinking about what kind of jobs I can do to sustain my living. I thought of teaching the tourists to drive motorcycles, as some of them would be eager to learn. I tried to make that option work but it didn't go well due to no response from the tourists. I would help Madhu in her treatment work as and when required. But I wanted to do something of my own where I was earning independently. I was grateful for whatever little work I would be getting from her.

One evening, Artur came home in need of some help. He had gotten a contract to open a kabab stall in the Saturday Night Market. That was the biggest open market in Goa spread across on 5-acre land, where people would come in thousands. Inside the market, one could find all kinds of shops, food stalls, fruit stalls, bars, and an open restaurant sitting area in front of whom there would be a stage for live performances. Artur needed the help of one person to work in his kabab stall. I happily agreed to work with him. That was a once in a week job but I was all excited to put my heart and soul into the work. Our other friend Sasha was renovating her new house in Aldona and she also wanted to create a garden in the backyard. While she was looking for someone to help her up, I stumbled upon that opportunity. That was an everyday's job and I was looking for one. Even though Aldona was 1-hour bike drive from Morjim, I didn't mind spending 2 hours every day travelling for the sake of the job. She had an 8 months old baby boy who needed a baby sitter. Guess who volunteered? I was all Yes for every opportunity coming on my way to work. I had done all kinds of jobs which I had never dreamed of doing. Right from working in a food stall, to setting up a garden, to cleaning the house, to babysitting, to fixing the sunglasses on the slate roof house, and to help in giving away dog puppies to strangers. I possessed no prior work experience in any of those jobs. Yet, I gave my best. Doing all those odd jobs taught me a very important thing in life: How to be humble!

Grateful To Everyone Who Trusted Me For My Work. 

New Roommates

By the beginning of December, tourists started coming to Morjim in pretty good numbers. Soon we got two new roommates. One was an Australian woman called Emma. She was in Goa to learn yoga. Madhu was happy as she got some woman to talk. They both would be found talking throughout the day on some or another subject. Looking at them, I would wonder how women talk so much? Even god was clueless in understanding women, whereas I was only a mortal. Our other roommate was a young Israeli boy who came backpacking India just after finishing his 3 years of military service. When he first time introduced himself, we were left in stitches. His name was Yoni. I couldn't believe he came to India with that name dreaming to have a good time. When we told him the meaning of his name in Hindi, he was disturbingly shocked. Then he told us how he understood now that why people would laugh when he would introduce himself to them. He was sitting holding his head down, maybe cursing his parents for keeping such a name, while we were laughing our heart out carelessly at what that young mind was going through. We were mean.

Yoni was an Osho sanyasi, and every sanyasi would get a spiritual name. His was Swayam. Indeed a beautiful name, just like his original one. We preferred to call him Swayam so that way we could take him seriously. He was a Dj and all about hippie life. His dreadlocks and tattoos justified his passion. Travelling all alone with a plan of staying in India for 1 year defined courage in that young boy. He wanted to travel the whole of India on a bike, but he hadn't learnt how to drive a bike. So I volunteered to help him learn how to drive. I had already taken a scooty on rent to travel around. I would still call that a bike to mask the male ego. There was a big ground nearby full of reddish soil. That was the perfect place to teach bike driving. Every evening we would go there and practice for 1-hour doing many rounds of that ground. I would hold Yoni from behind......... I mean hold Swayam from behind. Now you see why we preferred to call him by the latter name. Well, to sum up, he learnt to drive a bike in less than one month.

Soon the backpackers started flooding in Morjim. Sometimes I would get stunned looking at those 20-year-old backpackers from different countries. They would be full of life, eager to explore the foreign land on their own, and having a strong faith in diving into the unknown. I was nothing like that when I was 20. I was a frog in the small pond, struggling to speak in English while roaming around in Pune. It felt like my 20s were extremely unproductive and underdeveloped. Sometimes I would meet someone so amazing who had travelled the world, had been blessed with rich experiences and always had great stories to share. That would make me feel little of myself as I had done nothing significant in life. I would sit with a blank mind in social conversations, thinking that I have no story to share. That self-limiting belief got shattered only when I started writing my stories. No matter how fun, interesting, boring or senseless the stories were, they were my stories. We all have unique stories, irrespective of what kind of life we were living. Until we would find pride, love, worth and belief in our stories, they would remain hidden in the basement of our doubtful mind.

Life Happens Above The Basement.

New House In Goa

We reached Goa around the second week of November in search of a house. The previous year's house we lived in was not available. After looking at a couple of houses, we finalised one. It was the most beautiful house in Morjim. A huge 3 bhk ground floor place with a big front yard and a garden around. The living room was a size of 2 bedrooms, the kitchen at the back and a door leading to the back yard. The landlords gave us some kitchen utensils. We had to manage the rest by ourselves. The only problem in the house, there was only one bathroom. As our plan of subletting the house was On, we only hoped our roommates would adjust that part peacefully. The landlords were very kind people living adjacent with their kids in the '20s, two sons and one daughter. The whole family was friendly and warm. The landlady whom we called Kaki, would often bring us freshly made food. She was very much a mother like, and she too was fond of me. They had a dog who had lost her hind leg in a road accident. Even with three legs, she would play around and show no sign of handicaps.

There was a small metal gate at the end of the garden, opening to a narrow lane which would join the main road of Morjim. Another big metal gate was in front of our porch, built for the entry and exit of cars and bikes. Artur's house was at 5 minutes walking distance from our place. We were eagerly waiting to meet our friend from Armenia. Like always, he helped us with everything to set up our house. Some Israeli friends gave us their whole kitchen utensils as they were leaving Goa forever. In no time, our kitchen was fully functional without buying anything from the market. Soon the search for roommates begun. Pasha joined us just like the previous year. Now he seemed more stable, focused and matured, looked like a relationship effect to me. He continued to work with his father in the big resort. After posting ads on FB for roommates, we started getting enquiries. Some would come to check the place. Artur would also refer his contacts who were looking for a place to stay. His kabab making business was taking a hit as most of the high-end restaurants were yet to resume the business for that year.

The season in Goa had not begun fully. There were very fewer tourists, mainly due to the increase in visa prices by the Indian government. Russians were missing from the beaches leaving most of the shacks running empty. The month of November was about to end, and Goa was still deserted. All local business owners were under stress as they had not seen such a drastic drop in the tourists at the peak season of Goa. We were worried about our business prospects too. Also, we had taken a big house with the hope of getting enough roommates. Else we were set up for paying a huge rent with no sustainable income. Our evening gatherings on the porch with Artur were stress busters. He would share stories in his broken, funny English. We missed him so much during the whole year since we had left for the mountains last year. His presence was enough for us to get out of our worrying mind. When you have a company of such an amazing friend, then even the hard times feel like a cool breeze of the evening.

My Second Round Of Goa Had Begun. 

Good-Bye Salli

The wolf pack was enjoying life in the mountains. They would go up in the mountains, and from far up they would shout calling our name. Sometimes spend hours on the rocks in the stream or lie down in the garden under the Sun. I would enjoy looking at them having a great time. Everyone who would come to Salli would just get dissolved in mother nature. No matter rich or poor, Indian or foreigner, men or women, they would all become childlike playing around with big smiles. There was some magic in the air. The month of October 2018 was about to end. The weather had become pleasant with signs of the early arrival of winter. Our morning breakfasts in the warm sunshine would happen sitting on the balcony. The ladies would make some delicious Israeli food like shakshuka, hummus, tahini, toasts and salad. I would make masala chai which was my only speciality. While simultaneously boys would get busy rolling the joints for post-breakfast chit chat time. We had all the ingredients to make life a celebration.

One morning after breakfast, chai and a couple of joints we all were sitting on the rocks in the stream next to the garden. Ynon and Eden were telling us stories from their childhood and teasing each other. Suddenly, Ynon said, 'Maratha, catch my phone.' making an act of throwing the phone. I thought he was kidding. But he wasn't. And he actually threw his phone in my direction without thinking we all were in the stream. I saw the phone flying towards me in slow mode. Also, I saw Ynon's eyes spreading in fear as I wasn't moving to catch the phone. Till the time I realised that he had actually thrown his phone at me, the phone had already reached close enough to punch me in my face. I fumbled to catch the phone. While juggling it multiple times from one hand to another in a haphazard manner, finally it made its way deep-diving into the stream. Ynon screamed in shock and ran to pull out the fully submerged phone. Just like me, he was also late. The phone died an instant death. Ynon asked me how could I not take a simple catch? I told him I didn't believe you would throw it in the first place. Everyone else was laughing at our stupidity.

Our neighbour's parents would often come to our house. We would call them Amma and Baba. They were just like our grandparents. I would find it difficult to understand them as they would only talk in the Gaddi language. But their love for me needed no understanding. Love transcends language. They would also try to talk with the Israelis in Gaddi. Somehow everybody would figure out what each other would be saying. That reminded me of our talks with Russian roommates in Goa. As winter was approaching so was our plan for Goa. It was getting difficult to leave Salli. We had to search for a new house as the previous house was not available that year. The uncertainty lurking in Goa about house and business was making us sceptical to leave Salli. But we had made our plans and probably that was the last year we would be going to Goa. Next year onwards we had planned to host the winter season in Salli. Leaving Salli felt like kids parting away from their mother.

Mountains Were Unforgettable. 

The Wolfpack

Most of the Israeli backpacker would travel in their own small closed groups strictly talking in Hebrew. They would usually socialize only with their own people. My first encounter with Israelis happened in Kasol during my first visit to Himachal. Their first impression for me was quite intimidating. Many had told me to not mess with the Israelis. They would walk everywhere with confidence like they had owned the place. The assertive tone in their voice with a big smile and an attitude of celebrating life made them apart from the crowd. They wouldn't shy away from standing for their rights and raising their voice, even putting up a fight. Shyness and Israelis were antonyms. They had proved their metal to the whole world with their ferocious fighting spirit. With that said I found them extremely beautiful and charming. Both men and women appeared as they had stepped out of heaven. God had blessed them with angelic looks. Who wouldn't want to be friends with such amazing people? While I was struggling with approach anxiety in Kasol, life had already planned a whole new chapter for me with a lifelong friendship with many Israelis.

     

Now back to Salli. The group of women who came with Noa had left, and a new group of young Israeli backpackers had arrived in Salli. They were among those people with whom I had connected really well and had shared beautiful moments of my life. To introduce them: Simon was a doctor, German-born, settled in Israel. His experience and knowledge of spirituality were exceptional. He would talk about life in his exceptionally fluent European English accent that even birds would come to the balcony to listen to him. We all would call him Simon - The King. Ynon was a senior ranking officer in the Israeli Defence Forces. His cool attitude didn't exhibit any military discipline or strictness. I found him incredibly friendly and funny. He wouldn't let us pass even a minute without making us laugh. Eden, his childhood friend living next door, was also travelling with him. Eden was a charming guy, always carrying a big smile and a phone next to his ears wherever he would go. We would enjoy these two childhood friends picking on each other. They would leave us in stitches.

Like every group of backpackers would have at least one creative and artistic person, that group also had one. Her name was Ora. She was a multitalented girl who was a writer, singer and musician. Her guitar and ukulele playing skills were exceptional. As she was a night owl, she would get up in the afternoon looking completely lost with her frizzy hair. She would sit in the balcony with her black coffee while Ynon would be zoned in with his often rarely seen military discipline, rolling a joint. Elior was part of the pack. He was really a sweet guy, always helping us around with his amazing energy. Everyone would call him Hanuman for his appearance. When we heard that for the first time, I and Madhu laughed our heart out. His friends would tease him constantly by that name. Sometimes he would get irritated and warn them not to call him Hanuman. His angry red face would make him only look like one, further escalating the teasing. We were lucky that he had no tail. Else he would have burned down Salli. Lord Ram was kind to us.

May He Bless Them Wherever They Are. 

Meeting Noa

The monsoon in the mountains was over as the month of October had just begun. It was the time when tourists would visit for short two months just before the snowfall. We just had finished the second round of construction wherein we had built two new rooms and one external bathroom. The preparation for the next season in April was almost complete. Again a small group of Israeli backpackers had started to show up in Salli before heading towards South. After returning from Manali I was having a renewed perspective towards life. I wasn't lying in self-sabotaging mindset worried about the uncertain future. In fact, I was excited about the challenges and new opportunities in the coming months. That time I was so fired up to take on the new tasks that I was ready to do any work as long as it would pay me. The question of what kind of work should I do was long gone. I just wanted to work while putting all my heart into it. I had never felt so much passion to work. For the first time, I was thinking in the direction of making my mark in the world. The upcoming struggle was looking exciting for me as if I had been turned into a warrior.

One fine day, a group of Israeli women came to Salli. They all were Madhu's friends and some of them had come to India only to meet Madhu. Among them was a woman with a happy demeanour, always carrying a big smile, helping us in the kitchen and very friendly to talk with. Her name was Noa. She would speak Hebrish which was a mixture of Hebrew and English. Noa was an independent woman who had earned a good name in the Digital space. She was really good at networking and managing people. As impressive as her professional career was, so was her outlook towards life. She had solutions for everything in her own unique ways. Her second name was Noa Solutions. Soon we discovered that she was also a fantastic cook. During her stay in Salli, she would cook different Israeli dishes for all. Her desire to help everyone to the best of her capacity was really admirable. No wonder Madhu and Noa were friends. Like attracts like.

In the evening everyone would gather in the kitchen next to the fire. While Noor would enjoy curling up into her mother's lap, the rest of us would feel blessed to witness the mother-daughter love. The late evening gatherings around the fire would be very special as it would make us feel like a big diverse family. One morning after breakfast, Madhu and Noa were sitting up on the balcony chit-chatting. She was telling Noa about my desire to find a job. After telling her all my educational background and past work experiences, Noa thought she could do something for me. Her kind and helpful nature came to my rescue in those difficult times. One evening, I and Noa were talking about how to proceed with the plan she had in her mind regarding work. That was somewhat related to my previous job after my MBA. I was more than excited to put my best foot forward. Those were the times when we had laid the foundation of the currently fully functional company in Himachal by sitting on the balcony at Salli. It was true that behind every successful man there was a woman. Whatever I was in my life, it was solely due to the contribution of all those great women in my life. Without them I was nothing.

My Mother, Sister, Madhu, Noor and Noa - Always Grateful To You All.