Happy Diwali and the Annual Round Up!

Hello!

Wanted to drop by and spread some dazzling Diwali glitter!

Happy Diwali :)

I know I haven't done a great job of keeping in touch, I'm sorry!

I'm working on it starting with this email. I promise I'll write atleast once every year, transpiring whatever is new (and old!) - but that's the boring bit.

What I'm eager to hear is what is up with you? Is there something I can do for you?

For what is up with me since last Diwali?

Travel

I took a break where I attended a 10-day meditation camp in Lumbini - the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal. I hiked from there to Pokhara where I enjoyed a screening of Fight Club under starry and rain washed skies. I attended the Dusshera pooja at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. There is a sense of historic awe that these places fill in your heart that photos don't do justice to. It's a humbling experience and a good way to remind me of the impermanence of whatever we build/do.

New Team

I have moved on from the glamorous-satisfying job at Samsung Research in Bengaluru. I have joined a no-name startup called Soroco. Soroco is short for Software Robotics Corporations. We make software bots for enterprises to automate mundane tasks.

Health

I spent about 2 months struggling with any physical activity because of decreased lung volume. Thanks to a visiting Army medic in a small clinic, I'm eager to wake up again.

Books and Essays

The most influential book I've read this year has to be When Breath Becomes Air. It is a short memoir of a gifted and dying Stanford neurosurgeon. He answered one of the themes that confused me for some time: Work-life balance.

In conjunction with this succinct essay, I have found the first hypothesis to test with the new team. Work-life balance is a myth. As long as you're fit, it's better to strive to improve work to the point where it fills your life with contentment.

Side-projects

Breakout List - India Edition
Over the last 1-2 years, I've tried to figure out the most exciting companies for the tech-inclined in India. Not just for myself but also juniors at my alma mater: BITS Pilani. I waited for someone to answer this on Quora or elsewhere, but no luck. So I went ahead and curated the Breakout List - India last week.
Do take a look and share with someone who might find it useful. I'm still working out the chinks, and eager to hear any feedback that you might've. Just hit reply.

I'm most eager to hear what's new on your front! Professionally, personally, or emotionally (whatever you're comfortable sharing)

Cheers,

Nirant

PS: I don't know if it is the same for you, but we believe the new year starts tomorrow. So, Happy New Year too - may this one give you all that you strive for.