'Quiet Gratitude': Marico Chairman Harsh Mariwala Shares Heartfelt Note From Ex-Zerodha Employee  

Harsh Mariwala, chairman of Marico Ltd. and founder of ASCENT Foundation, shared a deeply personal moment from a recent flight, reflecting on the unexpected ways in which one’s work can resonate with others.

In a post on X, he wrote, "On my flight back from Coimbatore to Mumbai last week, I received this handwritten note from a fellow passenger. Reading it was a humbling reminder of how our work can reach people in ways we do not always expect."

The note was handed to him by Karnesh SV, a former Zerodha employee and now an entrepreneur. Rather than initiating a conversation mid-flight, Karnesh opted for a quiet and thoughtful approach. He wrote down his feelings on paper and passed the note to Mariwala during the journey.

Karnesh's note began with a gesture of respect. "It's a privilege to be on the same flight as you today."

He continued by expressing his admiration for Mariwala’s contributions to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly through ASCENT Foundation, a peer-to-peer learning platform that has supported thousands of growth-stage entrepreneurs across the country.

"I am writing to express gratitude for your contributions to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — especially through your work at ASCENT, which I closely follow."

Karnesh introduced himself as "an ex-Zerodha employee and now a founder, building two ventures." One is The Solare, an eco-tourism initiative in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. The other is GIDIMA, a South Indian quick-service restaurant based in Ahmedabad.

"Your belief in scaling with values and culture, and empowering first-generation entrepreneurs, inspires the very philosophy behind our work. Your journey continues to give hope and inspire," Karnesh wrote.

For Mariwala, the letter was more than just praise, it was a moment of reflection. He stated, "This note came from an entrepreneur who once worked at Zerodha and is now building two ventures, one in eco-tourism and another in the food industry. He wrote about the importance of values, culture, and supporting first-generation entrepreneurs. His words left me with a sense of quiet gratitude."

The message reinforced Mariwala’s long-held belief in the strength of community and shared learning. "This is why I continue to believe in the power of community and shared learning through platforms like @ASCENTweets. Simple words of encouragement can go a long way in inspiring others to keep moving forward," he said.

He ended the post with a message of hope and encouragement. "I wish him the very best in his journey ahead. And to every entrepreneur, keep building, keep learning, and keep believing."

Mariwala’s post offered a reminder of the lasting impact of leadership grounded in values and the power of encouragement in the entrepreneurial journey.