The pleasure of achieving something in life doubles up when it is the result of hard work under challenging circumstances. Our former President late APJ Abdul Kalam has conveyed this golden message through his books. This is truly reflected in the life of Chotu Sharma, who once worked as a peon, but today owns two companies with over 150 employees.

Chotu has achieved this tremendous transformation all through his hard work, passion, and dedication. The annual turnover of his companies is now over Rs 10 crore, but once he had to forcefully fast and skip meals because of financial constraints.

Born into a poor family of a small village called Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, the journey of Chotu Sharma from a peon to becoming the owner of successful companies is full of challenges and extreme hardship. He completed BA from a Government College in 1998 and came to Chandigarh in search of a job. But finding a job for a simple graduate was very difficult as he did not have a backing of any technical or commercial course. In such a situation, Chhotu started his career as a peon in the local computer training center. He also joined a course here while continuing his job as a peon at the same center. Today, he is known as “Guru of Microsoft technology” in Chandigarh.

Chhotu had an ordinary BA degree and there was no decent work available in Chandigarh on the basis of his education. Most of the jobs at that time were offered to individuals having professional training on the computer. So, Chotu decided to learn the computer, but it was impossible for him to arrange the course fee of Rs 5,000. But he did not want to return back home in Himachal Pradesh empty-handed. In the end, he got a job as a peon at a local computer training institute and joined a course there. He started practicing computer whenever he could find time between his job.

He used to stay in the center the whole day and study all night. The meager salary of a peon was not enough for the computer course fee and there was no hope of receiving help from his poverty-stricken family. Also, he did not want to share his problems at home. He often slept on an empty stomach to save money after he was done with his work and studies. At the same time, he started giving tuition to the children at home.

In fact, there were two good things that happened in that year. First, Chotu got the certificate of “Microsoft Certified Software Developer” and second he got the job offer at the institute as a faculty. Chotu’s routine began to change as he would take classes in the evening and give tuition to kids at home after work. His condition became better as he started to earn decently. By the year 2000, he started earning well from his home tuitions.

In 2002, he decided to open his own computer center with his savings. He rented a two-room house, bought a motorcycle and a computer and started a coaching center. He got over 100 students in less than six months. His hard work paid off and he became a famous across Chandigarh in dot net technology. Today, most of his students are working with top companies in the world, including Microsoft, Accenture, TCS, and Infosys.

In 2007, Chotu opened his own computer training center by the name of CS Infotech in Chandigarh. Today, more than 1,000 students take computer education from his center every year and learn advanced software languages. After two years, He purchased a piece of land in Mohali and opened a software company called CS InfoTech. His firm makes software for its global customers and also provides its services to large companies.

He has also been awarded the LMA Trident for Young Innovation Entrepreneur Award in Ludhiana. In 2007, the then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, honored him with the Himachal Gaurav award. Chotu Sharma today tries his best to help the needy. He offers scholarships to talented students, funds weddings for poor families, and also helps rural students in their education.

Every person has to go through some difficult and challenging patches in life. Some people cannot not handle pressure, get lost in the daily chores of life, and then life becomes a misery for them. But there are people like Chotu who never give up and continue to fight against the stiffest of challenges. Eventually, these people succeed in achieving their goals in life.

If Chotu Sharma did not show his will and determination, he would still be a peon at some or the other office. But he had the desire to do something bigger. He struggled, but never lost hope and set an example of success for everyone. Even if you have to face challenging and difficult situations in life, never give up and fear of the failure. Keep on trying to fulfill your dreams and one-day success will be at your doorstep.

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