SOLD CREDIT CARDS FOR A PART-TIME JOB

SOLD CREDIT CARDS FOR A PART-TIME JOB

20-APRIL-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------Vinay Krishna, a young man from Patna, Bihar, took a bold step: he quit his corporate job to launch his own startup. Within just two years, the turnover of his startup has exceeded ₹35 crore. However, this success story is not quite as effortless as it might appear. Vinay Krishna completed his Electrical Engineering degree from NIT Patna in 2003, but he failed to secure a job immediately after graduation. He subsequently moved to Bengaluru to pursue his Master's degree; there, facing financial constraints during his studies, he took up a part-time job selling credit cards.

No Placement After B.Tech: In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Vinay Krishna shared that his father, Janardan Prasad—now retired—was an employee at the Reserve Bank, while his mother, Rajalakshmi Devi, has been a homemaker. He has three sisters and one brother. As the only son in the family, his relatives harbored high expectations of him.

He was academically bright since childhood; however, when he completed his Electronics Engineering in 2003, the job market was scarce—and competition fierce—due to the global economic recession that prevailed between 2002 and 2004. Upon completing his degree, he found himself drawn to the IT sector; to further his prospects in this field, he moved to Bengaluru to pursue a Master's degree.

Sold Credit Cards as a Part-Time Job: Vinay Krishna recounted that when he began his postgraduate studies in Bengaluru, his humble background made it difficult to cover the costs of both his education and daily living expenses. To alleviate these financial pressures, he took up a part-time job at a bank, selling credit cards. Working during the day and studying at night became his daily routine.

During this period, Vinay underwent technical training and gained practical experience through C-DAC. This experience served as an inspiration, instilling in him the discipline and diligence required to navigate difficult circumstances later in life. Subsequently, he participated in the selection process for Mindtree. Out of more than 600 candidates, only nine were selected. His selection—following six rigorous technical and coding rounds—marked a pivotal turning point in his career. Worked at Top IT Companies: Vinay Krishna shared that, subsequently, he worked at leading IT firms such as Wipro, Infosys, and IBM, providing services to international clients—including Unilever, CIT, Lloyds Bank, and Allianz—across India, the UK, the US, Australia, and Africa. Despite enjoying a lucrative salary and global recognition for many years, the desire to build his own brand and identity persisted. Driven by this vision, he founded Astura Global.

"This company is AI-based and focuses on data analytics. We provide services across the healthcare, insurance, and banking sectors," stated Vinay Krishna, Founder of Astura Global.

Workforce Comprises Approximately 80% Biharis: Vinay Krishna revealed that when he left his last job, he was working in Australia—and it was there that he launched his startup. Currently, his company delivers its services across Australia, Mauritius, various African nations, and India. Furthermore, he chose to register his company in Bihar—specifically within India—reflecting his deep-rooted attachment to the state.

"Approximately 80% of my workforce consists of Biharis, regardless of the country in which they are based. We prioritize Bihari talent, though we strictly hire only those young professionals who possess genuine talent. We look for multi-faceted talent in our employees," noted Vinay Krishna, Founder of Astura Global.

Aiming to Help Transform Patna into a Tech Hub: Vinay Krishna stated that his company is actively working in Bihar to help establish Patna as an emerging technology hub. He also aspires to play an active role in the Bihar government's AI mission, aiming to leverage his global experience for the development of the state. He further mentioned that cybersecurity is an integral, built-in component of the services his company provides to any client.

"Our company is currently delivering high-quality services to firms within the insurance and healthcare sectors here in India as well." "For instance, if someone falls ill and requires funds for medical treatment, the task involves expediting the clearance process—ensuring that there are no delays in completing insurance claim formalities—so that timely medical care can be received." — Vinay Krishna, Founder, Astura Global

'Opportunities for AI Entrepreneurs in Bihar': Vinay Krishna shared that he has visited Bihar and is currently exploring options to determine how he can directly contribute to the state's development and make a positive impact. Efforts are also underway to identify ways to leverage his knowledge and experience—potentially by collaborating with government initiatives—in a manner that simultaneously generates increased employment opportunities.

"The state is currently launching numerous initiatives regarding semiconductors and AI; for instance, the government is actively discussing the integration of AI into the education sector. In today's world, regardless of the specific department or sector, the adoption of AI leads to a significant enhancement in operational efficiency and productivity." — Vinay Krishna, Founder, Astura Global

'Full Moral Support from Family': Vinay Krishna recounted that when he was in the initial stages of launching his startup, he faced various comments and skepticism from many quarters; however, he received unwavering support from his parents and his wife. He noted that while he used to receive 30 days of annual leave during his corporate job, he currently does not take even a single day off; yet, there is a unique sense of fulfillment and joy in his work. He emphasized that all of this has been made possible solely due to the support he received from his family.

"My family provided me with complete moral support, reassuring me that even if I did not achieve success, it would not be an issue—a sentiment that proved immensely helpful to me. When one receives such an assurance of support from one's family, even during difficult times..." "...when approached with that mindset, the work is executed with a distinct energy. My wife, Satya, works in the banking sector in Australia, and our daughter is currently pursuing her studies there. My parents reside in Patna." — Vinay Krishna, Founder of Astura Global.

"Youth Should Acquire Diverse Skills Alongside Traditional Education": Delivering a message to the youth of Bihar, Vinay Krishna urged them not to neglect their education in the pursuit of quick success. Education is absolutely essential; however, while you are acquiring that education, you should also assess how many additional courses you are undertaking and how many practical skills you are mastering alongside your traditional academic studies.

"In today's times, traditional education serves less as a comprehensive tool for success and more as a mere 'gate pass.' The more skills you acquire—even if through a short certificate course—the more versatile you will become in your professional endeavors, ensuring that you remain relevant and in demand within the job market. Do not hesitate to learn anything new, and always cultivate a mindset of continuous learning. In the current landscape, vocational and technical courses represent superior alternatives to traditional Bachelor's and Master's degrees." — Vinay Krishna, Founder of Astura Global.