Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi: A Saga of Rags-to-Riches

In 1991, Hindi film Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi was a rage. Everyone was talking about the star cast and the characters in the film. The protagonist was Raghu — the same name as my dear friend Raghu Sheregar.

We were busy eve-teasing him all the while and he was also enjoying it. School times were full of fun but after that, a journey full of ups and downs came into the lives of almost all of us.

Raghu was lost, I was lost.

Although I found myself 25 years later, I couldn’t find him until one day when we all came together as a WhatsApp group. We immediately recognized each other and also got lucky to meet in Mumbai.

He came from down south for training — he’s a big man now — and wanted to visit the popular Siddhivinayak temple to offer prayers. We booked a cab and had a conversation that ripped my heart into pieces and you may feel the same.

Not getting into too many details, it so happened that his family’s financial condition has smashed when he was in the school itself. He’d to take up odd jobs to survive. Even paying school fees was getting difficult and being the eldest child of the family, he had to live up to the expectations of the family.

A shattered Raghu, who was otherwise a bright student, lost interest in studies and his result came down drastically. Later, somehow, he managed to get into college and focus on studies but that is the time he took a vow that he’ll outgrow the challenging financial situation and make it big one day.

But who knew that one day might not come soon.

College life was getting tougher but as it’s said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going, Raghu was determined to persist until he succeeds.

Slowly but steadily things fell into place — it was all a divine design. His determination and persistence forced the universe to bring him out victorious and shining.

The one who couldn’t pay for his school fee now pays the school fee of many less fortunate children. The one who was lost and couldn’t see a ray of hope is now an inspiration to many around him. The one who lost it all has got it all back; the joy, the love, the opportunities, the wealth, and the soul-currency.

Today, Raghu is a top officer in one of the biggest companies in the world. The company has its presence in 100+ countries and our friend is doing some kick-ass work with his team. He has traveled to many countries and lives with his wife and son in south India.

The journey in the cab was a short one but the saga made it look like a feature film on IMAX. Every moment gave me goose-bumps but kept me in awe.

Recently, he closed a huge order with his diligence and an extreme passion for customer support. The order was also itched by their competitors but his visionary attitude, loving-kind heart, and the dexterous team got his company the order. It was a national holiday season but they still offered the same support and closed the order.

The client has sent a warm letter of appreciation for Raghu and his winning team.

Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi may translate into something as the heart doesn’t listen, and Raghu’s heart never listened to negativity, fear, loss, cowardice, and all of that emotion that becomes a reason for suicide for many in today’s times.

But he lived, still lives and inspires all around him and his story reminds me of a poem by Og Mandino —

I’ll persist until I succeed.

I wasn’t delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I’m NOT a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I’m a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep. I’ll hear NOT those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. Let them join the sheep. The slaughterhouse of failure isn’t my destiny.

I’ll persist until I succeed.