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."
Here's Mariwala's Post:
On my flight back from Coimbatore to Mumbai last week, I received this handwritten note from a fellow passenger.
July 9, 2025
Reading it was a humbling reminder of how our work can reach people in ways we do not always expect. This note came from an entrepreneur who once worked at Zerodha… pic.twitter.com/8aSUqhgEWhKarnesh 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.
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