Usha C L: A Daughter's Love Takes Flight

Born and raised in a financially difficult background, I always dreamed of taking my parents on a flight to a foreign country. Fortunately, I got a chance to realize this dream. It all started when I completed one year with LTIMindtree and was posted in Pune. I used to visit my parents in Bengaluru once every two months. In 2013, it was three days to go for my parent's 30th wedding anniversary. So, I thought this would be the best time to surprise them. I visited my parents in Bengaluru, informed them that I would take them to Pune to see a few places, and asked them to get ready. I usually travel by bus, and they assumed it would be the same. But I had booked flight tickets from Bengaluru to Pune for all 3 of us. It was my first flight, too. I was very excited for them, as well as for me to see how this surprise would turn out.

On the day of travel, I told my parents that it was getting late and we needed to catch the bus faster, so book a cab. As they came down and saw the airport cab, they immediately realized we were going by flight. They were amazed, and I could see the happiness and tears in their eyes. It was one of the best moments of my life when my parents first got on the plane, and when the flight took off, I could see the joy and excitement of a child when they saw outside the window and the clouds below the flight. They were literally on "Cloud Nine!"

Three months passed, and I got to visit Australia for work. After staying there for a year, I took my parents to Australia, and it was another exciting experience to travel abroad with them. The mini-TV, the food, the hospitality, different cultures, and all the foreigners. They were both delighted. They stayed with me for one and a half months. I remember my dad saying to my colleague in Australia, "I don’t feel bad for having three daughters and no son. Usha is like my son. Even if I had a son, I'm not sure he would have done all this for us". That was one of my proudest moments, and I had tears.

It was and is one of my life's most memorable and exciting chapters.

Gregory Beamer: Turning Darkness into Light, One Act of Kindness at a Time

There are moments you remember all your life. I was working on a movie set in Tampa, Florida, on January 28, 1986, when the space shuttle Challenger blew up. I was in my car heading to work when the first tower collapsed in 2001. I was in a room on the corner of the 6th floor of Vanderbilt on September 7, 2007, when I was told my youngest daughter had cancer.

The moment you hear the words, “your daughter has cancer,” the world stops on a dime. Your brain goes into overdrive. Your vision dims. You hyperfocus on things you will forget a few years later. On hearing she has Ewing Sarcoma and not Rhabdo (rhabdomyosarcoma), I said, “Oh, she has the good cancer.” There is no good cancer.

At this point, I could tell you about spending all but 17 days of the next four months in the hospital. I could mention closing the door so Miranda did not see them wheel the body of a child who lost their fight down the hall. I could talk about Cody, Cassie, Chase, and many other funerals of children we knew and loved.

But life’s story is less about the tragedy and more about what you do with it. Our first “do” came as Miranda completed treatment in April 2008. A 14-year-old boy from Bowling Green, Kane Martin, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. My wife Tiffany, or Tiff, decided we should adopt them. Many days were spent bringing food and sitting there. Sometimes talking about cancer, sometimes about the weather, sometimes just sitting silently and taking in the moment.

That “do” failed in comparison with her next move. In September 2009, the former Miss America, Tara Wheeler, raised half a million for childhood cancer by shaving her head for St. Baldrick’s. “What if we had 46 mothers shave their heads for childhood cancer?” she asked. A vision was born. 46 is the number of children diagnosed with cancer each day in the United States. 1 woman shaving for cancer is powerful. Forty-six women shaving for their children, some of whom had passed on, is even more dramatic. In September 2010, 46 women, plus a few alternates, did that on Hollywood Boulevard. The next day, they brought tears to the eyes of the “dream team” of oncologists on the second ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ broadcast. To wrap up the story, Miranda is now in college with honors. She graduated from high school early last May, a year early. She is also in a team leader role at our local Chik-Fil-A and would likely be in management if not for her studies. As for Tiff, her vision has raised over $2.2 million to date, with over 500 mommas shaving their locks off for the cause.

Life will take you through valleys, but there is always a light to lead you from the darkness. Let that light guide you and ignite a passion for being that light for others traversing the same valley. Tragedies will occur; it is what you do with them that matters.

Muzaffar Ansari: A Commitment Forged in Resilience

I remember this one incident in April 2021, two months after I joined LTIMindtree. My project needed DevOps skills, and I was approved to attend external training. However, during the training course, I was diagnosed with COVID-19, and it turned severe, leading to my admission to the hospital. With just the last two sessions remaining, I had to attend and submit the assignment to secure the training certificate.

Despite being hospitalized and in a critical condition, I refused to let go of my commitment. I requested my wife to bring my laptop, and I attended both training sessions from my hospital bed. When it was time to submit the assignment, I encountered a setback: the VDI assigned to me was not functioning, which had all the necessary configurations like Git, Maven, Jenkins, and Dockers. Thinking quickly, I swiftly set up an EC2 instance on AWS using my personal account and installed all the necessary software. With the clock ticking, I approached the assignment methodically, following each step diligently until I successfully submitted it.

My swift action and determination showcased the values of dedication, resilience, and problem-solving within the organization. Despite facing unexpected challenges, I was able to adapt and find a solution to accomplish the task.

This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and never giving up, regardless of the obstacles that come my way. It reinforced my belief that any challenge can be overcome with determination and resourcefulness.

At LTIMindtree, embracing a culture that encourages associates to tackle challenges head-on and think outside the box to find solutions is crucial. Recognizing and appreciating dedication and resilience among team members can boost morale and inspire others to exhibit the same level of commitment in their work. When I shared the experience with my seniors, they all appreciated my dedication; I received a lot of appreciation, even from my COO, and the 'Award of Excellence – Individual,' highlighting the importance of recognizing and valuing perseverance and determination within the organization. This incident remains a significant milestone in my career, highlighting the power of will and determination to succeed. As the saying goes, "Where there is a will, there is a way," and this experience exemplified just that.

Shilpa Bhaskaran: A Symphony of Support, Welcoming New Beginnings

As I embarked on my pregnancy journey at LTIMindtree, a beautiful tale unfolded, filled with support and camaraderie. Picture this: a team, not just colleagues, but a family in the making. My incredible comrades from the CSR team and leaders like Paneesh Rao stood by me, their support a beacon of light amid transformation.

The challenge? Balancing the wonders of impending motherhood with the ongoing dedication to our community projects. At times, the weight felt overwhelming, doubts creeping in about sustaining effective contributions amidst preparations for the journey ahead.

But oh, how we responded! Like a well-oiled machine fueled by the essence of LTIMindtree's values. My team didn't just reassure me; they enveloped me in a cocoon of care. Project timelines were adjusted seamlessly, and tasks were generously shared, ensuring every step was a testament to inclusion and support. Our response radiated empathy, inclusivity, and teamwork in the face of personal milestones—no bias, no hesitation — just pure, unadulterated support, mirroring the ethos of LTIMindtree.

This journey—oh, it's been a teacher. It taught me to cherish genuine support and value understanding in the workplace. Together, we proved that with empathy and compassion, no challenge is insurmountable.

At LTIMindtree, this isn't just a story; it's a mantra. An attitude of unwavering support woven into the fabric of our interactions. A culture where everyone thrives, personally and professionally, in an environment of inclusivity and empathy. As I reflect on this journey, I'm reminded of a moment — a virtual baby shower, a symphony of well-wishes and love orchestrated by my CSR family. This is a reminder of the vibrant, nurturing community we've cultivated at LTIMindtree — a community where support knows no bounds.

Usha Venkatasubramanian: Problem Solver; Change Maker; Leader

I joined this organization in 2005 as a senior leader to build new competency around data and analytics. I was assigned a team of 5 GETs to train in this area, and I recruited two junior colleagues, one in ETL and one in BI. From such a fledgling unit, I built competencies, shaped the portfolio, penetrated various accounts through consultative selling, expanded the portfolio to cover digital tenets, and have now grown to a level where I deliver large programs of Digital India. It is possible only because I rose to the occasion each time an opportunity came my way. All the while, I had tremendous support from my leaders. It reiterates, "As long as you are ready to take up challenges, the organization does not restrict you from that." In recognition of my achievement of winning a USD 100 million deal and managing the delivery of the assignment, I was awarded the "WILL” award in 2017. I received this award in the first year of its institutionalization.

While the award was a pinnacle in my career, I am proud of several professional achievements, from being a university topper in my Master's at MIT, Madras (Chennai). My experience working in organizations like TCS, PAMA - Kuwait, and MOI - Abu Dhabi helped shape my detail orientation and client-facing abilities. Also, those experiences enhanced my knowledge of emerging markets and steered my growth into a techno-managerial role. Recently, I have taken an additional role in running the DIWA initiative – thanks to my leader, Jitendra Putcha, who had faith in me and has guided me all along. For those unaware, DIWA stands for Diversity and Inclusion for Women in AI & Data. As part of this initiative, we do sessions by accomplished women leaders from client/partner organizations who play the roles of CDO, CTO, CIO, and CEO. These sessions are inspirational, mainly to see women passionate about their careers and technology.

Special thanks to all the champions of the DIWA initiative who have supported this initiative.

Success comes with its challenges. In 2015, when I worked on a large deal, there were several issues. LTIMindtree did not have the functional expertise, which was the biggest challenge. I highlighted this upfront to the management, got their guidance, and a partnership was forged – the first ever in LTIMindtree's history partnering with a Big 4. The technology heat map showed several "Red" tiles. Continuous focus to disambiguate all the unknowns yielded a world-class proposal response and got great appreciation from the client. The testimony of our excellent solution and impeccable delivery came when we got another project from the customer – a customer-facing application- and my team delivered it without any hiccups. Just imagine a solution that handles the financial liabilities of ~30 crore Indians, providing ample details and superb performance! I want to thank my team from the bottom of my heart for working on the solution daily and making it a great success. Family and career are like two eyes for me. I try to give equal weightage. I prioritized my family while selecting my first job (as a lecturer at a university). At various stages of my personal life, I paid adequate attention to my family, but I still did not have a career break. I was carrying my first baby at 26; I had signed up for specific work and was committed to it. I made sure I finished the job activities before I proceeded on my maternity leave.

When I had my second baby, I played a critical role in my assignment. So, I returned to work in 45 days. It was go-live, and I had to go to the office late in the evening and run all the production go-live checklists with my team. I took my 60-day-old baby to work – she was a darling daughter who slept for a while in her baby basket, woke up and looked around at the bright lights in the office, and was "well-behaved." I also finished my work quickly, delegated responsibilities to my team, and returned home to let my baby sleep cozily in her usual baby cot. I also connected with my team to track the progress. Years later, when my elder daughter was pregnant, I planned my work, informed my leader and my teams to ensure that all work would progress smoothly, and took off for two months. I supported my daughter in her confinement and post-delivery until the baby was 60 days old. The 2015 December floods in Chennai were an unforgettable experience in my life! I had to travel multiple times to Delhi and Mumbai for work. I never relented – Mother Nature got me to stay in Mumbai for a week without communication with family! My family has been my most extraordinary support in all situations, and this one needs a special mention!

At various career stages, I had to prioritize between family and work. However, I could do it easily without any guilt on either side. The highest priority should be family for every profession – male or female.

In my opinion, today's world is fast-moving. New technologies, new ways of working, and new norms occur daily. There are many learning options through our own Shoshin school. The "Can do" mindset will enable us to overcome all constraints and move up the ladder. Rather than solve all problems alone, I have learned to take some to my seniors, peers, and subordinates. The answer might come from anywhere! My guidance to everyone is to pick up opportunities, even if capabilities do not exist – where there is a will, there is a way!

Amol Natu: A Marathon Journey to Self-Care

As we live in a busy world, balancing work, family, and passion is a complex affair – or so I used to think. When I was in Miami as a client partner, I spent a more significant part of the day working and the remaining portion of my day with my family, leaving little to no time to pursue my passion for sports or hobbies. Miami was also where one could find people exercising or engaging in sporting activities around the city. Yet, I could not get the motivation to start running.

My lack of self-focus led me to irregular sleeping and unhealthy eating habits, even in Miami, where I could see people exercising in every corner of the city.

The Motivation to Change

In 2016, one day, I decided to head out to the local beach for some relaxation but ultimately couldn’t make it as the streets were crowded for the Miami marathon. Impressed by the marathon participants’ dedication, I got intrigued to join the marathon the same year, but I knew I was not fit to last the entire marathon. At the same time, I worked with a customer with whom I occasionally played golf, often the second best, for which he used to tease me. I knew golf might not be the right sport to get one over him. It was the spark that I required to ignite my passion for running.

Training to Become Fit

I trained my body for a year, started developing healthy sleeping patterns, inculcated exercise slowly and steadily in my routine, and improved my diet. Like everyone, I struggled initially, even thinking of giving up. Despite being unable to give my 100% at the beginning, I consistently gave some time to this newfound motivation, the bare minimum I could spare, which, in hindsight, feels the key to the transformation I feel today. When I completed my first marathon, it gave me a sense of jubilation I had never felt before, and since then, I have never looked back. While I couldn't beat my golf partner in his impeccable golfing skills, I teased him for the huff and puff he felt alongside me when I used to pull him in marathons. I am happy that this also triggered him to focus on his fitness and remain healthy.

Making it a Discipline

For what I used to believe I barely had time for earlier, today feels like a part of my day-to-day routine. My motivation to run marathons improved my lifestyle by allowing me to find time for self-care through healthy eating, regular exercising, and improved sleeping patterns.

As a result, I gained a more positive approach to life, started to face challenges with improved confidence, and found time for my past hobbies, such as playing Dhol-Taasha, which I am practicing to play again.

Dhol-Taasha: A New Journey

Dhol-Taasha is a Ganapati procession in Maharashtra, India, where people passionately form teams and play Dhol. Dhol is a substantial double-sided barrel drum. During the Ganpati ceremony, thousands of Dhol players form groups and go in a procession playing tunes that praise lord Ganesha. It required 3 hours of practice daily, at least for 45 days. These extended hours of training need one to be fit. This experience taught me precious lessons about teamwork and dedication to practice regularly. I realized that applying this formula in my daily life, professionally and personally, is essential.

My Two Cents

In my journey, I realized that the only thing we need to vary is not our lack of time but how we prioritize it. Focusing on self-care has to be at the top of our priorities for a quality life. If you are passionate about something, you should dedicate all your heart to it.

Humans of LTIMindtree: Amarnath Juluri – A Heart of Service

“Witnessing the immense suffering around me, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked a deep sense of gratitude for my blessings and a powerful urge to give back,” shares Amarnath Juluri. Inspired by Sai Teja Katragadda, the founder of “Feed the Needy,” Amar embarked on a compassionate journey that touched countless lives.

His efforts began as an advisor to the organization. Soon, Amar felt compelled to do more, extending his support beyond just monetary donations. He arranged for an ambulance, crucial medicines, oxygen cylinders, oximeters, PPE kits, and even isolation wards for those in desperate need.

Amar's dedication extended beyond logistical support. He and his network actively engaged with beneficiaries and hospitals, ensuring aid was delivered effectively and making a tangible impact on the ground. During the peak of the pandemic, Amar went above and beyond, donating an ambulance specifically to provide free “last rides” for departed souls, even securing five months of operating expenses for this service.

His compassion reached remote tribal communities in Telangana, where he provided essential medicines for nearly 100,000 individuals. From coordinating 50+ calls daily to arrange hospital beds, blood, and essential medical equipment to donating masks, sanitizers, food, and PPE kits, Amar's tireless efforts touched the lives of countless individuals. Reflecting on this experience, he describes his feelings in three powerful words: grounded, humble, and content. Amar's selfless actions brought blessings from those he helped and garnered recognition from state officials and benevolent organizations. He embodies the compassionate spirit that defines the heart of LTIMindtree and inspires us all to make a difference in the world.

Pallab Dutta: Embracing Challenges, Reaching New Heights

I have always been enthusiastic about exploring new challenges. Although my physical disability has always been a soft spot for my parents, they always encouraged me to explore whatever I set my heart to. Despite being born with shorter arms and four functional fingers on each, it never stopped me from doing the things I love.

Since childhood, I have been very interested in sports. This led me to join a local swimming club at an early age. I enjoyed swimming with friends and trainers. I also participated in a state-level invitational championship and won a gold medal.

Soon, I started to enjoy football and cricket (during high school), which led me to join a sports club. I participated and won medals in many local and sub-division level tournaments through my good bowling skills. I was also offered an opportunity to join and represent at the national championship level through the firm's sports team, where my brother works. However, I was still young, and my studies weren’t complete, so I had to pass on that opportunity.

I never let my physical disability limit me on how far I could excel in sports, and I relished every moment I played. However, my academic career took priority, and I had to move away from sports.

During college, I developed a passion for hiking and trekking. I started my trekking adventure with Sandakphu (on the India-Nepal border) and achieved my goal of conquering the Gangotri glacier mountain right after graduation.

Life's journey goes through many phases. As I started to focus on my career, which I deeply enjoy, adventure and sports had to take a back seat. Now, I am married and blessed with a daughter. She is the most precious part of my life. My focus is enabling her to be part of things she would like to explore. Someone once told me, “You have the potential to achieve anything you set your mind to,” which motivates me to face any challenges.

Daljit Singh: A day without laughter is a day wasted

"Your memes are something I look forward to when I start my week," one of my colleagues told me after I posted a relatable image on social media. I always like to see the light side of any situation, and that is why I feel humor comes to me naturally, given any circumstance, be it at work or home.

I have been at LTIMindtree for over 11 years and have grown here to become a transformational leader. I am a technology enthusiast and have built several tools out of personal interest, including a chatbot that replies “Oho” whenever someone types “Jinne Mera Dil Luteya.”

I also enjoy video editing and filmmaking. I displayed my skills in a short movie-making contest organized by LTIMindtree’s annual event, Scintillation. For the contest, my colleagues and I built a spoof video ad applauded by viewers for its humor, resulting in HR inventing a “Viewer’s Choice award” only for us.

I am a vegetarian and a food lover at heart, and before lockdown, my desk was practically a mini D-Mart, decorated with food and snack deliveries all the time.

I even love carpentry, which led me to transform my gallery/home workspace. You can often find me tinkering with my gaming hub, doing some woodworking, or engaging in home automation during my free time.

Grace Kolluri: Reawakening the Colors of Creativity

I was always attracted to anything creative or made from scratch. From sewing and writing to DIYs and paintings, the list goes on. While pursuing my bachelor’s, I started painting every Sunday in my hostel room. I painted not just on A4-size papers, but I used to get some eggs from the hostel kitchen and paint on them!

When I started painting, there were 300 of us in the hostel. Everyone appreciated my hard work and asked me to give my art to them to relish. It was motivating, and I always felt happy whenever I showed my paintings to someone else. While it was fun, my painting routine ended soon after college.

Eleven years later, in 2018, I was scribbling casually on my notepad while attending an office call; one of my friends saw my sketch and appreciated me. This motivated me to pick up my brush and paint again. I had forgotten that within me was an artist who loved to scribble her heart away. I have always felt wonderful when someone notices and appreciates my work and creativity in my sketches, and that appreciation is what helped me rediscover my passion for painting. I feel like one can discover one's hidden ability/talent through appreciation from others. It pushes you to do what you are meant to do.

I started with acrylic paints and am currently painting with watercolors. I enjoy using watercolors because I can reactivate the color by adding water without waiting until I finish the painting.

It was a joyous occasion when one of my colleagues requested a painting, and this one found its forever home in Sweden. Afterward, I did several more commissioned paintings for my friends and family.

One of the exciting works I painted was of Gamla Stan, an old town in Stockholm. Working on the details took me eight weeks to make it look more like an actual picture. Another happy moment was when I could paint for a client’s Coffee Table book. I also participated in the Canvas: Battle of the Brush competition by painting an eagle.

Vignesh Jalendiran: The Sweet Taste of Victory, Earned Together

Cricket in India is not just a sport; it's a national obsession, deeply ingrained in the cultural genes of every citizen.

A year back, a few cricket enthusiasts within our organization decided to join hands and form a cricket team to represent LTIMindtree. We thought establishing a cricket team within our organization would promote physical activity and teamwork, cultivate a vibrant social network, and reinforce the spirit of collaboration. We started with a few practice games, and once we felt a sense of camaraderie and team spirit, we enrolled in this corporate tournament and emerged as champions in the first tournament.

Our journey in the tournament was remarkable, marked by teamwork, dedication, and sheer determination. Each player contributed their best, showcasing exceptional skills and sportsmanship throughout the matches. We were unbeatable in the tournament!

Mahalakshmi S: Embracing Authenticity in a Hyper-Connected World

According to the National Mental Health Survey 2019, nearly 56 million people in the country are thought to suffer from depression, with another 38 million suffering from anxiety disorders. Have you ever felt that life is tossing yorker after yorker at you while everybody else hits sixes? I think you, dear friend, and you are not alone!

Thanks to social media and constant connectivity, we're bombarded with instant updates on everyone's fancy vacations, lavish parties, fairytale weddings, and picture-perfect lives. But why is this bothering us? It causes us to compare and constantly set unrealistic expectations for ourselves.

Instead of dwelling on how our friend miraculously bought that dream house, let's ask ourselves some better questions, such as "Am I feeling good?" "Am I improving from where I was before?" Because the most essential things in life are our health and peace of mind. Relationships, careers, and everything else will eventually fall into place. If we pause and breathe, we will realize that we all have unique goals, purposes, and struggles. When we're brave enough to unlearn what society tells us, we’ll discover the ultimate truth: The race is imaginary, nobody has the same kind of life as we do, and we are precisely where we are meant to be!

So, chin up, my friend, and you're doing fine. Remember, life is always better with a sprinkle of humor and a pinch of self-acceptance!

Krithi Sulya: Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder

My daughter Eywa, who is six years old, has an autoimmune disorder called Vitiligo. Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigments – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.

She developed this disorder a couple of years ago, and soon, we started consulting dermatologists and homeopathic doctors and doing everything possible to set things right for my child. Treatment may improve the appearance of the skin but doesn't cure the disease. But it's just an appearance and does not harm her. She is just like any other child and with everyday needs.

We live in a cruel world where people are judged by their appearance. She does get noticed by people, and as parents, we are bombarded with random questions and comments about our daughter:

Did she get a tan while swimming?

Has she been burned? Does it itch?

Is this contagious? Will this get cured? Is she on treatment?

Was she born with these marks? When did it start? How did it start?

Did anyone in your family have the same issue?

Is she on treatment to turn completely white, or will she get her standard color back?

Apply makeup/concealer/foundation so that it gets covered and no questions are asked.

There must be some issue with her horoscope, so visit XYZ, temples, etc.

In these years, we have realized that we must accept her disorder and stay strong to face the world, and people commenting about her appearance should not matter to us. She is a happy and strong child who spreads much love and happiness around her. We have taught her that appearance does not matter, and that beauty lies in kindness and acceptance.

A common saying is "Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder," which means beauty doesn't exist on its own but is created by observers. To us, our daughter is the most beautiful person in this world, filling our lives with so much joy and love, and we are grateful to be her parents.

More power to us!

Prashanth Kamath: Embracing Challenges, Redefining Possibilities

My name is Prashanth Kamath. I've had Cerebral Palsy (CP) since birth. Currently, I'm working with LTIMindtree on the Digital Studio team as a module lead. My life has been full of ups and downs, and I’d like to share some highlights with you all.

In the interest of brevity, I’m not talking much about my early childhood/school days. Almost throughout my life, I’ve had delayed milestones. I did my schooling at the Spastics Society of Karnataka, where I completed my 10th standard.

After school, my parents decided to shift to Mumbai to explore options for my higher education. But it was not easy. I had to spend the next three years sitting at home. I used this time to get acquainted with the stock markets. So technically, even before I could go to college, I started earning!

I went to college in 1995 (all thanks to my younger sister). Throughout my college years, I maintained a consistent academic track record.

In 2007, I got a job offer from erstwhile Mindtree. I gladly accepted it. It's been more than 15 years since. I'd like to briefly mention some of the highlights of my career so far.

Worked as a developer on a couple of assistive technology projects.

Worked as a research assistant/proofreader for a book, "The Professional," by Mr. Subroto Bagchi – one of the co-founders of erstwhile Mindtree.

Worked in various capacities for over six years on the IGX platform project. This project was arguably one of the best projects anywhere in the country. I consider these six-odd years a ‘golden phase’ of my career.

And then came the pandemic—a once-in-a-100-year event. The whole world went into shock. It took over two years of periodic lockdowns, reopenings, and near-utter chaos for things to return to normal.

Our project ended during the pandemic, and I was on the bench for nearly one full year. I embarked on a skill upgrade/learning spree (like never before), which saved the day. Now, the breadth of my skill set is wider than that of most established engineers/techies.

Months before offices reopened after the pandemic, I got absorbed into the Digital Studio team. The work here is more in line with my qualifications. Team members are understanding and supportive. What more can one ask for? I use my spare time to figure out new career growth/development methods when there is less work.

Case in point – in March this year, I had an accident and had to go in for surgery. A lengthy recovery period spanning months followed, and I'm going through such a recovery phase right now.

But then I had to do something. I happened to spot an opportunity, and I went straight for it. I studied for an online exam and cleared it in barely one month (during my initial recovery days). As a result, now I can call myself a ‘Certified Independent Director’ – meaning I could be on the Board of any company if they decide to appoint me as an Independent Director. How cool is that? And just for the record, I think I'm the first Person with Disabilities in our country to qualify for such a position/role.

My message to you is to keep it short and sweet.

Don't sit and waste your time waiting for opportunities.

Learn to spot them before they come by. Once you find the one that suits you, go after it. Remember this: It might be dark all around, but you can shine and show others the way.

Abhijeet Mandlecha: Reaching New Heights, One Step at a Time

After an exhausting trail of 80+ km, multiple treks and hikes, and challenging weather conditions, we finally reached Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC) at an elevation of 5364m! Here, you can glance at Mount Everest (8848m), Mount Lhotse (8516m), and the Kumbhu Glacier.

To experience such beauty around is no less than experiencing heaven while being alive. We were only 14-15 Indians among 400+ visitors that day. My eyes filled with tears as I climbed the EBC stone with an Indian Flag and chanted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai.’

Despite being on my bucket list, I always postponed the plan. Finally, in October 2021, we booked our trip; the rest is history. We are hardcore trekkers, but we needed to be mentally and physically prepared to overcome a frigid atmosphere, breathing issues, and unpredictable situations. Our key preparation tactics were exercising, doing yoga (to control our breathing), and eating healthy. We bought quality trekking gear & equipment (some surprisingly expensive and rare) and a unique EBC Insurance covering helicopter evacuation for an emergency apart from travel insurance.

We started our journey on 1st April to Kathmandu. The next phase was on a small 17-seater flight canceled due to bad weather for three days in a row (and twice during the return trip). We had to compromise on our buffer days, which made the trip more exhausting.

Our trek included many prominent locations – Namche Bazar, Aba Dablam Mountain, Kumbhu Icefall, Kala Patthar, and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to name a few. I clicked many pictures and videos, learned to create Instagram reels, and tasted multiple local delicacies. Also, we had our first helicopter ride during the descent. Conquering Everest Base Camp (EBC) was surreal. To truly grasp the notion, you need to visit EBC! Period! In addition, I marked my first work anniversary with LTIMindtree with EBC Trek, which makes it extra special for me!

Subhashini Sreekumar: Scaling Kilimanjaro – A Summit of Empowerment

Just ahead of International Women’s Day 2024, my group of fearless women scaled Kilimanjaro Peak—the fourth-tallest mountain in the world and one of the Seven Summits. Our shared love for life and adventurous spirit brought us together, defying stereotypes of age and gender. Amidst the challenging climb, we showcased unwavering strength and perseverance, sending a powerful message of empowerment through International Women’s Month.

Our mantra during the expedition was simple: “Pole, Pole”—one step at a time. The journey tested our mental, physical, and emotional endurance but embodied the indomitable spirit of womanhood—fearless, strong, and unstoppable!

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