#AskDushyant Reflections on Technology, 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.”
In 2013, I embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Maha Kumbh Mela, an extraordinary spiritual event held every 12 years at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers at Prayagraj. My nomadic yearly ritual of taking 1-2 weeks off for bike adventures had already taken me to various corners of India, but this time was special. Maha Kumbh is the world’s ultra largest spiritual gathering, drawing almost half billion of devotees from every corner of India and around the world. Earlier i had only heard stories from old Bollywood movies about this grand event…
Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of engaging with thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, students, technologists, and curious minds. Whether through corporate discussions, startup mentoring, technology consultations, social media interactions, or simple conversations over a cup of tea, one thing remained constant: People had questions, and they were seeking practical answers grounded in real-world experience. Many of those conversations eventually became part of the #AskDushyant initiative, where I openly shared perspectives on technology, leadership, business, personal development, travel, and philosophy. Over time, the volume of questions grew significantly. While I genuinely enjoyed every interaction, one challenge became…
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…
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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 India: Forging the Future of AR/VR Gaming and 3D world 🎮🕶️🌐.
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.
Tech, Memoir, Social & Thoughtful Life Experience Chronicle
