It’s been a remarkable journey, one I’m truly proud to share, because it’s my story. I transitioned from the stability of a government job to the dynamic world of online entrepreneurship, driven by an insatiable desire to learn and adapt to new technologies. This path, marked by initial setbacks and the heavy weight of bad debts that are still very much present, has taught me the immense power of persistence and the critical role of continuous learning in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. But now, together, my wife Usha and I, are picking up the pieces. We are finally seeing the sun rising after walking through a lot in the dark without even seeing a star. We will succeed one day.
The Bold Leap: Embracing Technology and Facing the Music 💡
Leaving my secure government position for the unpredictable realm of online platforms was a decision many might have questioned. I wasn’t from a business family, but my determination to build something impactful was unwavering. This initial phase demanded substantial investments in app development, marketing, and recruiting. There were countless mornings that blurred into nights, with little to show for the effort. The financial strain was immense, and yes, bad debts mounted, pushing us to our limits.
Yet, my commitment to learning never wavered. Early on, I experimented with tools like ChatGPT. But the true “breakthrough” came from a very practical problem: converting PDFs to text, especially for the Kerala PSC questions derived from SCERT textbooks.
My Prompt Engineering Revelation: Simple Words, Powerful Results 🔑
The initial workaround—exporting PDFs to Google Drive and opening them as Google Docs—was cumbersome, especially with multi-column layouts. The real game-changer, the result of countless hours and “many iterations and long experiment[s],” was developing a precise prompt for AI models:
“Extract the full text in the first three pages of the pdf keeping the flow of text and without citation.“
This seemingly simple phrase was my key. Terms like “extract,” “flow of text,” “pdf,” and “citation” were carefully chosen to ensure accuracy and maintain the original document’s readability. This optimization was crucial for SCERT textbooks, as their content is directly mirrored in the Kerala PSC questions. It took months to refine this, but the result was exactly what I desired.
My AI Toolkit and the Power of Learning 🛠️
The success with prompt engineering ignited a deeper passion for AI. I’m deep into this AI era, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. My favorite tools, my “loved ones,” include Claude for coding, Gemini, ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, Notebook LLM, and Perplexity. I even designed a custom GPT based on ChatGPT that teaches me in a Socratic way, evaluating my understanding and guiding me with remedial learning – now I’m even combining it with Google’s Notebook LLM! This personalized learning experience is truly revolutionary.
Beyond AI, my intellectual fuel comes from incredible books: Acharya Narendra Bhooshan’s Dasopanishath Shruthgi Priyabhashyam and Shruthgi Priyabhashyam, Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and of course, Gandhi’s biography. I must clarify, I’m not a Gandhian; I’m not fit for that. But these days, I love Gandhi deeply. What an incredible man! As I write this, I’m filled with love and peace; I feel like he is sitting beside me, with his love and affection for all Indians. Again, I don’t think Gandhi is a solution for everything, but he is a miracle.
Beyond Technology: The Anchor of Unconditional Love and Community 👨👩👧👦❤️
This journey hasn’t been without its personal tolls. I openly acknowledge the struggles my wife Usha, my two daughters, and my siblings faced during my experimental phases. Their patience and support were my bedrock. This difficult period brought a profound realization: family is paramount. Their unconditional love provided the strength to keep going when all else felt uncertain.
Working from home after resigning has brought me immense happiness. I get to spend precious time with my loved ones, an invaluable gift. This experience has reinforced a truth I hold dear: while the world changes rapidly, and external expectations can be fleeting, the bond within a family, especially in the Indian scenario, is an unbreakable and irreplaceable pillar. No technology, no professional success, can ever replicate the warmth, support, and profound connection of family. It’s not just a great thing; it’s everything.
And then there’s the community. Many of my PSC students, especially those from the Muslim community, constantly tell me they include me in their prayers and always ask about my well-being. They come from poor economic backgrounds, yet they are active, transcending love irrespective of gender. Other students are like that too. This shared humanity and support are a constant source of inspiration.
Sharing My Path: Learning from an “Inpert” 🤝
I don’t claim to be a scholar or an expert, but I am an “inpert”—someone deeply immersed in the practical realities of building and learning. If you’re interested, I’m ready to share my knowledge on marketing, sales, prompt engineering, and much more. You can follow me on my journey, and if anything I’ve learned can be useful to you, please use it. This is my story, lessons learned through trial and error, and a testament to what’s possible when driven by passion, supported by the most important people in your life, and inspired by both ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology.