Dhruv’s grandfather, photographed in his hospital room
My Goal
I believe that if you know you are capable of working harder, learning faster, and taking on difficult problems, you carry some responsibility to use that ability for more than just yourself. To shape how the world works. Reduce some pain. Add some happiness. Leave something better for the people who come after you.
I see two broad ways of living.
Some people want to experience life fully. To explore, enjoy, discover, and take in everything it has to offer. Others are willing to give up parts of that life to make it better for everyone else.
One experiences the world.
The other helps build a world worth experiencing.
Neither is more important. Without people living and enjoying life, all its beauty would lose its meaning. Without people working to improve it, that life would never become better.
The world needs both.
I have always seen myself as the second kind.
I want to ruthlessly sharpen myself until I am capable of doing work that genuinely matters. And when I eventually leave this place, I want it to be at least a little better because I was here. That has always been the goal.
Over time, though, it stopped being only an abstract idea. I found a problem I deeply want to solve. One that could give this purpose a real direction.
But before I get to that, there is the question of becoming capable enough to do something about it.
The road there
Until now, most of my focus has been on education and building myself.
The next phase is about building credibility, influence, and the ability to move things.
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I want to do work significant enough that when I eventually speak, build, or take a stand, people have a reason to pay attention.
That could mean
becoming one of the youngest people to reach a major leadership position at a Fortune 50 company.
Or
Becoming an essential part of a startup’s growth and success
Or
building a company of my own and taking it to a successful exit.
It’s basically about demonstrating the ability to lead and make difficult things happen. Think of someone like Nikhil Kamath. Whatever he chooses to work on today carries weight because of what he has already built.
That kind of influence is not the final goal. It is what makes the final goal more possible. So until I am around 30 to 35, this is my first focus: become capable, credible, and difficult to ignore.
Then use all of it for this.
The problem I want to solve
My ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the suffering experienced before death. Once I am ready, the plan is to dedicate my resources, credibility, and influence in this direction.
This is not about launching a startup in the palliative care space, nor is it just about spreading awareness. It is about creating large-scale, meaningful impact that fundamentally changes this reality. Current efforts in this area aren’t enough, which became obvious when my own family had to go through that phase. Science has become better at delaying death, however, the focus on suffering is questionable.
Inspiration Behind My Goal
Since childhood, I have been deeply troubled by the suffering that comes with aging. One of the hardest experiences was watching my grandfather suffer. That was the moment that flicked a switch in me. Additionally, I will always be deeply grateful to Zydus for taking the best care of him in his final days, which is also why, I chose to join Zydus for my internship.
During his illness, there wasn’t a single day I didn’t wish I could take away his pain. The hardest part was being away for my visa interview during his last conscious moments, knowing he was waiting for me. I arrived just a few hours too late. Walking into that room and seeing the machines meant to help him, but instead feeling terrified of them, is a memory I will never forget. Watching our loved ones suffer and that becoming our last memory of them is the trigger for me.
For me, this isn’t about living “The Life” but living a life that matters. I am learning to make choices that feel right instead of simply chasing what feels good in the moment. It’s not always easy, but I am proud of the progress I have made so far. My hope is to leave behind a legacy that reflects kindness, purpose, and a relentless drive to reduce suffering and improve lives.