Adhitya Iyer

Author / Speaker / Columnist

My Story

Moving

Spent initial years in Saudi Arabia. Parents pack me back to India in lieu of better education.



The Deceit

Felt out of place in Engineering school. Gave up on academics. Sought refuge in books. Richard Branson's Losing my Virginity and Gandhi's Autobiography most notable influences on teenage self.



Selling Chai

Moved to India's Silicon Valley, Bangalore, where I spent two years selling Chai: India's most consumed beverage. Realized my story wasn't just mine: shared it with millions.



The Journey

Over two years, exlpored myself, life, India and her education system. Grew a beard. Pretended to be wiser. Documented some of my findings in The Great Indian Obsession, now a bestseller.



3 Mistakes

Made 3 classic Indian mistakes: "Good at studies"|| "Good at Math"|| Ended up in an engineering college.



Selling T-shirts

While still on campus, founded Annanymous, a campus T-shirt brand. Coined the now famous and ubiquitously used/misused term "Ghanta Engineer". Got listed as one of India's Top student entrepreneurs.



Curiosity

Curiosity had absorbed me completely. Quit my job. Set out to unravel the story of India's engineers. Raised money to fund my travel and research. Created crowdfunding history.



The movement

Set out to fix India's education system. Simply write to me with the subject line "Let's do it" and we'll figure things out.

In the Media

The most exciting work of my life.

If engineering were a religion, it would be the 5th most populous religion in India. On 4 October 2014, more than 300 individuals across the globe contributed close to 14,000 AUD and created crowdfunding history. This book became the highest crowdfunded book in India and the 6th highest in Asia. I set on a backpacking trip across the country to unravel this massive phenomenon at the end of which I lost a camera full of images, but I found a story to tell the world. It is through this journey that I present to you the world's most interesting educational story.

Nothing I have ever done has been as physically, mentally, and emotionally draining as The Great Indian Obsession.


Bol Bachchan

Sharing moments from some of my interactive sessions. For speaker sessions, you can contact me .

"In India, you become an engineer first and then decide what to do with your life"

Watch this Video

Contact me

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Mumbai, India

adhi@adhi.in