I was born in 1944 in Punjab, in what is now Pakistan, before the Partition of India. When Partition took place in 1947, my mother carried me across the border into India all by herself. I was only a young child, and although I was too young to understand what was happening, this was the beginning of my family’s journey in a new country. My family was not financially well-off, and I lost my father at a young age. My mother supported our family through astrology and her work as a pandit. Life was difficult, and I understood early on that I would have to work hard if I wanted to build a better future for myself and my family.
After Grade 10, I started working as a motorcycle mechanic and continued practising whenever I had three or four holidays. I kept my tools at home so that I could continue learning without interrupting my practice. I wanted to improve my skills consistently. This experience helped me immensely in my later career because I understood motorcycles practically, not just theoretically. It helped me become one of the most experienced people in my field.
I went on to study Automobile Engineering at Pusa Institute in Nilokheri. I graduated with 82% and secured first division in my batch. After completing my studies, I applied for an apprenticeship at Escorts when vacancies were announced. I was selected and worked as an apprentice for six months, followed by approximately one year of structured training. After this, I began working in the field and became involved in marketing and supporting motorcycle dealerships.
My job took me across different states of India. I had to ensure that motorcycles reached dealerships on time, accounts were reconciled, and dealers received proper after-sales support. I listened to their problems and helped resolve them. Sometimes, mechanics needed training on spare parts, while dealership staff needed guidance on selling motorcycles. My technical knowledge and practical experience helped me understand their needs and find solutions.
Marketing was also an important part of my work. We put up banners and signboards so that people passing by, including passengers travelling on buses, would notice the motorcycles. We distributed newspaper leaflets advertising Diwali sales and offers, such as a free helmet with a motorcycle. The job required dedication, problem-solving and a willingness to travel extensively. In 1990, I became a Senior Manager, taking on greater responsibilities and receiving more flexibility in my travel arrangements and allowances.
Throughout my life, I believed that “Kaam hi puja hai”, work is worship. This philosophy shaped the way I approached my responsibilities. I worked hard because I believed in doing my job properly, and I found happiness in working and earning through my efforts.
I was also very careful with money. If my friends drank or smoked, I would avoid joining them. My belief was simple: “Saving is earning.” I had three children, and we lived on a very tight budget. I felt it was more important to save money to provide my children with even one extra meal than to spend it on personal gratification or distractions. I knew what financial difficulties felt like, and I wanted my children to have a more secure life.
I loved my family deeply. My work sometimes required me to spend 28 or even 30 days of the month travelling, leaving me with only a couple of days at home. Despite the long periods away, I felt happy when I saw my family living comfortably, wearing their own clothes and having the things they needed. Growing up, I had not always enjoyed that kind of security. Being able to provide for my children gave me a sense of satisfaction. Even if I could not spend much time with them, seeing them happy made the sacrifices worthwhile.
Later, I also helped my son with the family's textile export business, which involved working with buyers overseas. I feel like this business brought our whole family close because my son, my daughter-in-law, my wife, my brother-in-law were all involved. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the business. Some overseas buyers went bankrupt, disrupting orders and payments. The business eventually became unsustainable and had to shut down.
Looking back, I can say that “Mehnat bahut kari hai zindagi mein”, I have worked very hard throughout my life. From facing financial difficulties to building a career at Escorts and supporting my family, my journey has involved continuous effort and sacrifice. I have always believed in learning, working honestly and saving carefully. My greatest happiness has been being able to provide for my children and give them opportunities and comforts that I did not always have growing up. For me, success is not just about earning money or reaching a senior position. It is about fulfilling my responsibilities, working with dedication and seeing my family live happily.