Delhi Public School in Siliguri had the privilege of hosting a distinguished guest, Ashneer Grover, the acclaimed entrepreneur and founder of BharatPe, a successful fintech company on the 6th of July, 2023. Grover, known for his appearance on Sony Television’s “Shark Tank,” addressed a young audience of approximately 3,000 students from classes 9 to 12, sharing valuable insights and inspiring them to embrace entrepreneurship.
Siliguri, situated in North Bengal is one of those cities that is experiencing rapid growth across various sectors and has been transforming into a thriving business hub, courtesy of its strategic geographic location. Positioned as the gateway connecting the Northeast region to the rest of the country, Siliguri for this very reason is often nicknamed as the “chicken neck.”
The prestigious event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and felicitation of Ashneer Grover, the esteemed guest. Ashneer Grover was accompanied by Madhuri Jain Grover, Ashneer’s wife and an entrepreneur herself. Following a welcome speech by the principal, an interactive session involving question-and-answer exchanges took place. The occasion was also marked by the launch of the “IGNITE” club for DPS, Fulbari, by Ashneer Grover.
In the context of modern India, where entrepreneurship and startups play a pivotal role in shaping the future, Ashneer Grover’s presence at Delhi Public School was highly anticipated. The school had the privilege of inviting Chetan Bhagat, one of the most popular writers in 2022, and this year the excitement doubled with dynamic Ashneer’s presence. Having founded BharatPe in 2018, Grover achieved remarkable success, taking the company to the billion-dollar mark within a remarkably short period.
As the event’s keynote speaker, Grover engaged the students, stressing the importance of risk-taking in business. He emphasized that while employment may offer stability, true wealth and success are attained through entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experience of working in the banking sector for nine years, Grover highlighted that taking the bold step of leaving his job to establish his venture paved the way for his current achievements.
In his interaction with the students, Grover also emphasized the significance of clarity and decisiveness in the business world. He encouraged the young students to have a straightforward “yes” or “no” approach, avoiding time wasted in indecision. Grover underlined that meeting consumer demand is paramount for any successful business, even if the producer doesn’t personally utilize the product or service.
Shifting the focus to education, Grover expressed his concern about the trend of Indian students pursuing education abroad and not returning to contribute to the nation’s economy. He asserted that the Indian education system is screwed up and there is no denying that fact. He also mentioned that importing education at a significant financial cost, without a subsequent return on investment, can be detrimental to the country’s growth.
During the interactive session with the students, when asked about the memes surrounding “Doglapan,” Ashneer Grover candidly shared his experience and perspective. Grover revealed that initially, he did not enjoy the memes related to “Doglapan” due to his troubled state of mind during a period when he was facing challenges with the board of directors. However, he went on to explain that his attitude towards the memes shifted over time, and started enjoying the fun part of it.
Ashneer Grover shared further intriguing details about his journey and his views on various subjects. He disclosed that he wrote his book, titled “Doglapan: The Hard Truth about Life and Start-Ups” within just five weeks. This period coincided with a time when he had resigned from BharatPe due to disagreements with the investors.
During this phase, Grover experienced a sense of frustration, which he channeled into writing, capturing his entire entrepreneurial journey in the book. Published by Penguin, “Doglapan” swiftly became a bestseller, resonating with readers who connected with Grover’s story of overcoming challenges and setbacks in the business world. The book is also available at Kuku FM in the audio version.
When the topic shifted to artificial intelligence (AI), Grover expressed his belief that human intelligence holds immense significance and can never be replaced by machines. He highlighted the irreplaceable qualities and creativity that humans bring to the table, emphasizing the complementary nature of human and AI collaboration.
Grover also briefly touched upon the progress of the neighboring country, Bangladesh. While acknowledging certain issues, such as traffic, he praised Bangladesh’s advancements in the garment manufacturing industry.
Additionally, Grover expressed his fondness for backbenchers, referring to students who sit at the back of the classroom. He admired their willingness to take risks right from the beginning, mentioning that not conforming to traditional educational paths and choosing not to pursue higher studies can be a bold decision. Grover noted that backbenchers often find their way and gravitate towards entrepreneurship, unafraid of the possibility of unemployment.
Grover, the founder of billion-dollar fintech company BharatPe, emphasized the significance of education in achieving success. He revealed the fact that his attendance has always been 100%. He called himself a hard-working student while at IIT and IIM which he feels has paid off in the long run. Despite facing challenges, he highlighted the value of hard work, embracing learning opportunities from institutions like IIT and IIM.
Grover’s journey is the result of the power of education, motivating students to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. Ashneer Grover’s visit to Delhi Public School, Siliguri, not only left an indelible mark on the students but also showcased Siliguri’s potential as a thriving business center. His inspiring anecdotes and insights into entrepreneurship, education, and challenges in life vouched for the development of an entrepreneurial spirit among the students.
