He came, he delivered, and he left. He may as well have been delivering that talk to an audience of one because that\u2019s what it felt like for me. When I first encountered Chaitanya, he wore a crisp shirt and neatly pressed slacks. He was at an event in Delhi around 2012. At this startup event, he was trying to explain to the audience the importance of keeping tech at the heart of business decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No questions were asked, no engagement; no one wanted to press Chaitanya on his beliefs. He looked almost disappointed. The primary reason people attend these events is to network; the talks are incidental to the networking. But Chaitanya\u2019s ideas were clear, fascinating and new, and he wanted to engage. However, none was incoming. I sensed this would have been a different session with a more dynamic crowd. His expertise in cloud telephony, particularly with Ozonetel, showcased his knowledge and commitment to technology innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I saw an opportunity. A few years later, at iSPIRT, I decided to rope in Chaitanya to talk about product and technology to other founders. I bet that in an intimate setting, people would be able to see the merits of Chaitanya\u2019s ideas. Chaitanya wowed the founders; he candidly opened his playbook and his process to the founders, and questions flowed. We ran over the time we had put aside for this roundtable, but no one cared. Even after the event, he huddled with a few founders, discussing his talk. At the time, it was rare for founders to lower their defences and encourage togetherness. It wasn\u2019t something he had to do, but it was something he wanted to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an aside, this event was hosted at the Ozonetel office in Hyderabad. The catering was impeccable: the sambar and the biryani with three types of sambar were unforgettable. I\u2019ve been to Hyderabad plenty of times since then, but I\u2019ve not tasted food that delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s get back to Chaitanya. ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That evening highlights one of his standout qualities\u2014his passion for connecting with others. Less than a week ago, he gave a talk on AI at a SaaSBoomi Social in Hyderabad. He brought a unique blend of intellectual rigour and down-to-earth simplicity that resonated with everyone at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hidden in that talk was his commitment to Hyderabad and India. I\u2019ve been one of the lucky few who have had the opportunity to talk to Chaitanya in very informal settings, and his affection for the city of Nawabs is unparalleled. Once, I made a quick day trip to the city and texted to tell him that our meeting might have to be rescheduled because I was running out of time. He volunteered to meet me in the next 15 minutes at any place in the city that was comfortable for me. When he arrived at my location in less than 12 minutes, he asked, \u201cCan you do this in any other city in the world?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, his pride doesn\u2019t extend beyond Hyderabad because Chaitanya is not just about his achievements; he believes in uplifting others. Whether it\u2019s supporting a budding founder, collaborating with peers, or teaching young students at IIIT, he\u2019s always willing to lend a hand. In the past few years, he has transformed himself into a pillar in our community, and his empathy is a cornerstone of his success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empathy drives much of his thinking. He challenges the status quo and always prompts others to rethink conventional methods. However, what sets him apart is his humility. Chaitanya often embodies the saying, \u201cThe tree that is gifted leans forward.\u201d Despite his numerous achievements, he remains approachable and grounded. If you ever need him, he\u2019s just a call away\u2014literally!
His journey at SaaSBoomi has inspired me, and I am excited to see the magic we can create together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n