Call me young gun

In the world of seemingly careless youth, nowadays, one can spot sparks of brilliance growing brighter by the day. Young and confident students from engineering colleges are slowly deciding to stand up on their own feet and make a difference. Some want to make money, some want to do something more with their knowledge and talent. Zealous individuals in their early twenties are swarming the market and competition so much, that seasoned professionals are perspiring in tension of the dares they are facing. Says V.Guruprasad, CEO of Share Giants Wealth Advisors, “Even the most senior businessmen don’t help us when we ask for advice”. Guruprasad’s company offers share solutions to investors. The company is so confident of its strategies, that it guarantees a minimum of 30% profit returns per annum! While Guruprasad is studying B.E(IEM) at M.S.R.I.T(M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology), Share Giant’s marketing head Anil Shetty has completed 2 years in Computer Science at MSRIT. He hails from a humble background. His father is a farmer who earns Rs.11,000 per year. Anil now makes more than twice that every month! “The desire to be something in this world and the will to achieve it can bring out wonders from an individual”, he says with a twinkle in his eye.

Kaushik.N.D.M started out with Pixobel inc. in Feb 2007 to actually do something more with his abilities. He uses the experience he gained before, when he used to work as a web designer and make some extra pocket money. “I used to read in the newspapers about guys who had started their own companies and that inspired me to start my own company and stand on my feet. Making money was not a factor.” Kaushik is studying in 3rd year BE(Electronics) at MV Jayaraman College of Engineering(MVJCE).

20 year old Manoj Kumar G.U, doing 3rd year BE(Computer Science) at RV College of Engineering(RVCE) started out with a few of his friends Nitin Kumar and Raghu P a little over a year back, when they did the web and logo designing for Ashwa Racing, the college group that participates in the prestigious FSAE(Formula Society of Automotive Engineers). Noticing their potential, various companies approached them for more work. That is when these three youngsters decided to pool in initial capital to begin Tarantula Studio in March 2007.

Though all these companies are going great guns at the moment, it is quite a concern that most of these enterprising young men don’t thing much of education. Share Giant CEO Guruprasad is currently studying in the 3rd year, but wants to finish the course just to get the degree certificate. “A B.E degree will help in the future when prospective clients ask for my credentials. Apart from that, education is of no use for me”, he says. Manoj Kumar of Tarantula Studio, on the other hand holds education at high importance. “Though the curriculum doesn’t teach us to take risks and think out of the box, we still learn the basics through education. The company and work just helps to understand things better and to apply it to real work rather than just mugging and getting marks” he feels. Kaushik from Pixobel inc. is not sure if he wants to continue pursuing his degree anymore. His thoughts run on lines similar to those of Anil Shetty of Share Giants, who has already quit engineering. Anil opines, “Practical knowledge and a sharp mind are all that are required to grow. Education is definitely important, but not in terms of a degree. Every day I learn new things through practical experience.” When asked what he will do if his current business venture fails, with no degree in hand, he shrugs and says, “ I’ll start another business”.

There’s definitely a lot of potential and talent in the youth of today, but with large sums of money flowing into their pockets every month, will wealth blind them from realizing the importance of an education? That remains to be seen.