#AskDushyant Reflections on Workplace, Memoir & Thoughtful Living
The Retiring before the age of 40 is often dismissed as an unrealistic aspiration. Yet through discipline, persistence, and long-term thinking, I was able to turn that distant possibility into reality. Life moves quickly, and amid the rush to achieve more, we often forget to pause and absorb the lessons along the way. What I share here is not merely success, but the struggles that shaped it — stories that quietly say, ”Life’s journey often goes far beyond what most imagine possible.”
Bravery in Action: Captain Smit Machchhar – In a moment where fear could have frozen anyone, Captain Machchhar chose courage. His decisive action prevented a plane catastrophe — proving that true Hero is not about superpowers, but about standing firm against evil when lives depend on it. We often look for heroes in movies, but real heroes walk among us. Bravery is a choice, and Captain Machchhar’s choice saved countless lives.
#HeroPilot #Bravery #Courage #AskDushyant #NextStruggle
Your first job is a milestone that stays close to your heart and shapes your professional mindset forever. I received my first offer through NIT Rourkela campus placement at Erevmax Technologies in Kolkata. Fresh out of college, after spending two months in Sarni, everything felt new, fast, and demanding. That one month in Kolkata became unforgettable, blending office memories with challenging experiences at my rented place. The training focused not only on technology applications but also on corporate life, discipline, and office ethics. I clearly remember traveling alone by train to Kolkata for the first time in my life. My…
My professional life is deeply shaped by startup experiences in Gurgaon’s booming startup culture. Although I worked with several traditional corporate offices, my heart always leaned toward my first startups Desiya Online Travel. While passing out of college, I dreamed of working at companies born in basements or garages like Apple, Google etc. That dream became reality at my very first company, Desiya Online Travel Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon. We truly worked at a basement startup, operating from founder Amit Taneja’s DLF Phase 2 bungalow. Desiya was transforming the travel and hospitality industry, especially hotel bookings, long before it became mainstream…
As I reflect on my enduring journey with the Services Selection Board (SSB), the essence of aspiring for the Indian Army emerges as a profound memories and enlightening experience. Having undergone the rigorous SSB process over three times, each attempt has been a stepping stone, unveiling not just the life of an Army officer but also the true spirit of being Indian and Your True Self. SSB – A Glimpse into Army Life The 4-5 days spent at the SSB are more than just a recruitment process; they are a window into the life of an Army officer. These days,…
Somewhere along the way, we started wearing exhaustion like a badge. A packed calendar became a personality trait. “Creating meeting notes” turned into the default answer to “How are you,”…
One developer ships products that once required a full engineering org. A single marketer now runs campaigns that used to need a five-person team. A solo operator handles finance, support,…
Every organisation has two systems. The first one is documented. It includes policies, processes, job descriptions, reporting structures, performance reviews, values, and employee handbooks. The second system is rarely documented….
For generations, employees were taught to pursue a good education, join a respected organization, work hard, remain loyal, and build a stable career. The formula seemed simple. Get a good…
In Part 1, I wrote about the warning signs that appear when good employees quietly disengage. The bigger question is: What should leaders do when they see those signs? The…
Most good employees do not suddenly decide to quit. The resignation letter is usually the final step in a much longer process. Before they leave, something changes. They stop sharing…
I’m Dushyant Gadewal—#AskDushyant, a small-town dreamer turned tech entrepreneur and advisor. From chasing cricket dreams and Indian Army SSB interviews to riding solo across India, my journey has been fueled by passion, curiosity, and a relentless drive to explore the unconventional.
My professional foundation was laid at NIT Rourkela, where I graduated in Computer Science & Engineering in 2006—an experience that shaped my problem-solving mindset and long-term view of technology.
Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked through the Gurgaon–NCR startup ecosystem, experiencing it across multiple cycles—early-stage experimentation, rapid scale-ups, and acquisitions. My journey spans hands-on roles at Travelguru (Desiya), Vriti Infocom, and Nagarro, where I operated in fast-moving environments that demanded product-first thinking and execution at speed.
In 2010, I joined PeopleStrong as an early member of the core technology team, where I played a hands-on role in shaping the platform’s foundational product architecture. Over nearly a decade, I had the opportunity to see the organisation scale into one of India’s leading HR technology companies. Importantly, this journey gave me perspective not only as a technologist, but also as a shareholder—including exit participation in its April 2025—Goldman Sachs–led transaction—and, therefore, a front-row view of how disciplined long-term technology and product decisions compound into sustainable enterprise value.
These experiences ultimately came together in the founding of ArcTop Labs, my own venture recognized under the #StartupIndia DIPP7405 initiative. Here, I apply everything learned from the startup trenches—building scalable, resilient technology platforms designed for real-world business impact, not just launch-day success.
In 2022, after two decades in the industry, I stepped away from full-time employment #RetireAt40 to pursue work rooted in freedom, creativity, and long-term impact. Now, I guide students, startups, and businesses as a tech advisor—helping them align technology with vision, growth, and strategic clarity.
Through my blog, NextStruggle, I share personal memoirs, tech insights, and social reflections drawn from a life of experiments, risks, and reinvention.
Let’s connect if you’re building, transforming, or simply seeking clarity in your tech journey.
#AskDushyant #NextStruggle
#RetiredAt40
Branding My True Self:#AskDushyant #NextStruggle: Tech, Memoir, Social & Thoughtful Life Experience Chronicle 💡📖🤝💭.
BlackDemon.IN CreativeAI Universe [www.blackdemon.in]: Engineering the Next, Creative Revolution. Powered by Machine Intelligence, Guided by Human Vision 💻🚀🔧.
Embracing the Power of Fitness, Fueled by the Energy of My Little Angel. Conquering Realms with XBox Mastery, Roaring along on the HarleyDavidson Bike. Crafting a Purposeful Existence, Rooted in Tech Innovation. Proudly an Early Tech Member and Shareholder of Peoplestrong. Forever Connected to the Legacy of NIT Rourkela Alumni, Where Dreams Ignite and Achievements Resonate.
Always Prepared for Building The Next, One Struggle at a Time.
Workplace, Memoir, Social & Thoughtful Life Experience Chronicle
