The nature and childhood

I am responsible for product development at Konigle, the very platform where I will share the story of my past and who I am. Over the course of more than 10 years, I have made significant strides in my professional journey. This is my attempt to shed light on my origins and how I found myself on this path. It will be a compelling narrative, divided into multiple pages, with the hope of inspiring someone, somewhere in the world.

If you are a kid born and raised in a first-world country or urban area, you may not find this relatable. If that's the case, feel free to skip ahead and explore the rest of my site.

With that being said, let's dive in.

Picture a secluded place in the heart of a forest, devoid of electricity, cellphone reception, and any other signs of human life within a 3km radius. There are no means of transportation or schools. It is just you, your small family, some cattle, and a plot of agricultural land. If you are accustomed to the fast-paced life of working for big corporations 60 hours a week, you may see this as the perfect getaway destination. Well, this is where I spent my early years, until the age of 7.

I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. This place is nestled in the Western Ghats of India. It is enveloped by dense forests, surrounded by hills, waterfalls, and wildlife - all the wonders that are seldom experienced in today's world. It's a realm of unexplored nature. Although you still need to travel 3kms to encounter other people, there is now electricity and broadband connection.

My childhood was not filled with toys, video games, or TV shows. Instead, we climbed trees, picked wild fruits (leaving enough for the monkeys, of course), roamed the hills, and reveled in the wonders of nature. It was pure bliss. With no means of transportation, we walked over 8kms to catch a bus whenever we needed to travel. As a child, I had a disdain for wearing slippers while walking, so it was always barefoot on the muddy road, starting as early as 5:30 AM if we wanted to catch the first bus!

Being born in such a remote corner of the earth meant, as you might have already guessed, there were no nurseries or kindergartens nearby. In fact, there were no schools within a 5km radius. However, my parents had higher aspirations for me and my brother. I went to live with my uncle and began my primary schooling at the age of 7.

Typically, children start primary school at the age of 6. My friends were always surprised and delighted to learn that I was a year older than them!

Schooldays coming soon…