Writing from
the trenches.
Not inspiration. Not theory. What building businesses actually feels like — the honest version.
Nurture
The woman who refuses to sell.
A stranger called me about her father's coconut farm. Forty minutes later, she had quietly raised my standard for everything I build — and shown me that quality begins long before the factory line.
Origin
Why I chose the name Adobha.
The name was not invented. It was found — hidden inside a Sanskrit verse I had known since childhood. Once I saw it, I could not unsee it.
Business Building
A trillion dollars. And a coconut farm.
When Elon became the world's first trillionaire, something happened to founders everywhere. I want to be honest about what that moment did to me — and why I think the coconut farm is exactly the right answer.
Self & Leadership
I asked AI to score me. Then I posted it.
Founders appraise everyone else. But who sits across from us? I asked Claude to score me out of 10. Financial Acumen — 6/10. My stomach dropped. Then I posted it anyway.
Reflections
The yacht and the big ships.
Late one evening on the Singapore Strait, I watched a massive container ship pass in silence. I was on a yacht. Nobody seemed troubled by the difference in size. I have been thinking about that since.
People
Some people are just givers.
Among hundreds of birthday messages today, one stops me. A simple note from my dear friend Siva Prahas — the same birthday wish, on the same day, for thirty-three years. Not one missed.
Family
POV: My daughters upgraded me from Appa to Bro.
My daughter called me "Bro" instead of Appa. Deliberately. With full eye contact. I did not know whether to be offended or honoured. A field guide to Gen Alpha — for parents who are falling behind.
Founder Life
The honest truth about being a founder.
Nobody tells you the whole story. They show you the cap table, the press coverage, the "we just closed our Series A" announcement. Here is what they leave out.
On Living
I want to be a banyan tree.
A friend asked what makes me feel satisfied. Not successful. Not proud. Satisfied. I gave the wrong answer first. Then I thought about it more carefully for a few days.
Origin
The whole story.
June 2003. I launched my first business. I borrowed ₹1 lakh from my father, at interest. Then I failed. Then I got a job. Then I came back. Then I sold my wedding ring. And I started Adobha.