31. Lalit 💻🚙🌄
What comes to your mind when you read Principal Security Architect at AWS?
If you pictured one of the most humble people you’ll ever meet in your life, who lives and works from his car, a home which he built by himself - you can stop reading now.
But, if that was a total googly for you (or a curveball for the US folks) - then let me introduce you to the absolute legend in my books - Lalit Kumar
My first encounter with him was on a Chime1 call - when we worked together at AWS. He obviously had a non traditional background behind him and upon quzzing him about it - I came to know he was somewhere in Dharamshala.
And then the surprises kept coming, I was told that he lives in his car for the most part and travels up and down the country meeting customers and exploring places.
I realized eventhough he managed a large cloud security portfolio - he was super approachable! Always seem to have time to guide and collaborate.
He would always make it a point to call out and credit efforts by his teammates instead of hogging the limelight at the end of successful calls/ deals and sessions!
Version 1 of the “Beast” 👇
After I left AWS, we kept in touch and one day, I got a call from him
“Hey, I am on my way to Goa, might stop in Pune”
“Are you alone?”
“No, planning to pick up Ravindra from Mumbai after a customer meet, may not have time to enter Pune city as such!”
“I can come near highway”
“Come! Let’s meet!”
And that was my first meeting with him.
When I went there - they were having their dinner (Theplas packed from Ravindra’s house) on the side of the road!
“What’s the plan - boss?”
“Yaar - plan open hai, Goa tak ka pata hai!” (Buddy, the plan is open, Definitely going to Goa!)
“Let me show you the car!”
After showing me version 1 of his house on the wheels - the ever confident Lalit and very (very) skeptical Ravindra went on their way…
Why am I writing this?
Because in the era of constant hustle and the 90 hour CEOs, Lalit is an absolute oasis and a breath of fresh air.
And we must know that such people exist!
During our recent meet up (again he was on his way!) - I (for the 100th time) asked Lalit to write about his expeditions, experiences.
And for the first time he went silent for a few seconds and said - “Hey, I just don’t have the talent for posting things, let’s make our peace with that!”
“And my attire - what does that look like? A Taxicab driver? right? - It’s practical - Nikhil - that’s what it is - Practical. Posting things is not”
Lalit does not let himself feel as an imposter in the time of constant self promotion! He just travels, works and keeps building his mobile house!
As always, he had many experiences to share with the humans who were actually sitting around him instead of on the screens. Told us the “Beast” is now 2.0 and that he plans to get a container house somewhere outside of Gurugram!
It was time to part ways again…
We asked him to not drive that late and he accepted Sujay’s invitation to stay the night at his place!
“But you’ve got to let me leave at 4/5 am, guys, I made the choice to live like this - it comes with consequenses!”
“Don’t get serious, just want to beat the traffic! Come on let me show you the updates I made to the car”
The beast 2.0 had a full sized bed this time. And a 2nd floor (with a moonroof)!
Version 2 and Lalit and the moonroof! 👇
The car had space for 3 people!
Has a much larger and relatively comfy work area for him!
The improved kitchen setup and of course the whole new floor
Lalit was absolutely beaming as he showed us around!
You don’t meet people like Lalit everyday. It’s a privilege. Later I told him that - he just accepted it.
Lalit has a flow about him, nothing strict - just like a stream going through the mountains
“Ok then, bye!” Lalit said as he was about to leave
“What’s the plan - boss”
“Yaar - tu to janta hai - Plan open hai!” (You know the plan is “open”) 😀😀😀
-Nikhil
1 - Chime - Zoom for Amazonians