The CEO of Zerodha shares how his father-in-law’s small grocery shop embodies the principles of a fulfilling life. Learn from this inspiring story.
Nithin Kamath, a co-founder of Zerodha, shared a life lesson he learned from his father-in-law Shivaji Patil, a grocery store owner, on LinkedIn on Monday. The 70-year-old shared a photo with the wealthy CEO, who said that Patil had served in the Army before retiring due to finger loss sustained during the Kargil War. Later, Patil established his company in Belgaum, Karnataka.
Patil is the epitome of the trait of contentment, according to Kamath, who noted in his piece that contentment is the key to obtaining true freedom.
The only path to true freedom is through contentment. My father-in-law Shivaji Patil is an example of someone who embodies this.
He served in the Indian Army and voluntarily left the service as a Havaldar after suffering frostbite during the Kargil War and losing his fingers. After that, he opened a grocery store in Belgaum.
Even though he is 70 years old, he frequently rides his 20-year-old wheelchair-accessible scooter to the neighbourhood market to buy supplies for the shop. My mother-in-law, who assists him in managing the home and shop, is his only source of assistance.
Even with Seema and my achievements, he won’t give up his job. He still has a gleam in his eye when I inquire about the margins for various items in the store. He mentions making a 25% profit on chikkis by purchasing a box for Rs 200 and selling each one for Rs 250.
He has never shown a desire for anything or made a complaint, not even over losing his fingers in battle.
Although, when I approached him for his approval to marry his daughter in 2007, when I was still having trouble, he did try to get me to accept a government position.
I’ve been obsessing over topics like how to prolong excellent health or how to lead fulfilling lives until death.
I am certain that the solution is to be content and to constantly engage in mental and physical activity. He is the best example of what money cannot buy.
I’ve been obsessing over topics like how to prolong excellent health or how to lead fulfilling lives until death.
I am certain that the solution is to be content and to constantly engage in mental and physical activity. He is the best example of what money cannot buy.
In describing Patil’s routine, Kamath said, “He is 70 years old, yet consistently rides his decades-old scooter for the specially-abled to the neighbourhood market to buy supplies for the shop. My mother-in-law, who assists him in managing the house and shop, is his only source of assistance.
He stated that Patil continues to routinely attend to work despite the enormous success that Kamath’s internet brokerage company has seen. When Kamath asked Patil about his store’s “profit margins,” Patil divulged to him with a “twinkle in his eye” that he received a “25% margin on chikkis, which cost 200 and are sold for 250 each.”
He closed his message by commending Patil for never “complaining,” even after losing his fingers in battle, and stating that leading a fulfilling life can be attained by being engaged in all spheres.
He continued with a smile emoji, “Although, he did try to push me to acquire a government position when I sought him for approval to marry his daughter in 2007 while I was still suffering.
