Despite facing challenges growing up in Mumbai’s chawls and experiencing early career setbacks, Dr. Srinivasan Iyer has achieved significant milestones, including earning a doctorate and passing the National Eligibility Test (NET). His contributions go beyond teaching, as he has also pursued personal passions like singing, recently giving a stage performance.

Dr. Srinivasan Iyer currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Commerce at Manipal University, Jaipur. His journey to this esteemed position is a reflection of resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement, despite a challenging start to life.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Dr. Srinivasan identifies as part of Generation X, a time when technology had yet to permeate daily life as it does today. He recalls spending nearly thirty years in Mumbai, a city that deeply shaped his worldview and personal experiences. Coming from a Tamil Brahmin family, he lived in the modest chawls of Mumbai, where resources were scarce and life was far from easy.

He candidly describes his childhood as one of struggle but also notes that it was these struggles that moulded his character. In the absence of material wealth, Dr. Iyer found richness in the community. Growing up in close quarters with neighbours who felt more like extended family, he learnt more from his environment than from his parents. These surroundings, combined with the carefree nature of childhood where outdoor play was the norm, imparted invaluable lessons about life, resilience, and adaptability.

Reflecting on his professional journey, Dr. Iyer acknowledges that it was not a smooth or easy road. Until he completed his graduation in 1996, his life was filled with challenges. However, after graduation, things slowly started to take shape. He began giving private lessons and later expanded to teaching in nearby areas. It took nearly a decade for him to find stability and success in this field, but his persistence paid off.

In 2006, Dr. Srinivasan Iyer made the life-changing decision to pursue postgraduate studies. That decision became the turning point in his career, propelling him towards academic success and professional fulfilment. From that moment onwards, he never looked back, continually striving to better himself and his career.

In a candid moment of reflection, Dr. Srinivasan admits that he made some mistakes along the way. One of his biggest regrets was choosing to pursue commerce without proper guidance, a decision he feels limited his options. He specifically wishes he had studied mathematics, which would have opened more doors for him. Another significant regret dates back to 1994, after he had completed his twelfth-grade education. He had passed the written exam for NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) but was not selected further because he lacked typing skills. His father had earlier advised him to take a typing course, but Srinivasan, dismissing it as unimportant, had refused. It was a decision he came to regret, as it cost him an opportunity, and he still reflects on the lesson learnt from that experience.

Despite these setbacks, Dr. Iyer takes immense pride in his accomplishments. He considers earning his doctorate to be his greatest achievement. He also succeeded in passing the National Eligibility Test (NET), an essential qualification for teaching at the university level. Beyond his academic and professional milestones, Dr. Srinivasan has also pursued his passion for singing, recently giving a stage performance—a personal achievement that brought him great joy.

As someone who has traversed the difficult path of academia and teaching, Dr. Srinivasan offers valuable advice to aspiring teachers. He emphasises that teaching should not be viewed merely as a profession or a source of income. Instead, it should be pursued with a genuine passion for the art of education. Teaching, he believes, is a vocation for those who seek inner satisfaction and mental fulfillment. It is not a job for those chasing material wealth but for those who find happiness in the intellectual and emotional growth of their students. He encourages the younger generation to live in the present moment, a philosophy that has guided him throughout his own journey.

Dr. Iyer draws much of his inspiration from the women in his life. His role model is his mother, who always supported and encouraged him to pursue teaching as a career. She groomed him to value education and inspired him to follow this path. His wife has also played a significant role in his personal growth, particularly in helping him recognise the negative impact of anger on his life. Her encouragement has helped him cultivate greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

In his leisure time, Dr. Srinivasan enjoys a variety of hobbies that provide balance and relaxation in his life. He loves to sing, a passion he has nurtured since childhood, and he enjoys cooking as well, finding joy in creating meals for others. Serving people brings him immense happiness, as he takes great pleasure in making a positive difference in the lives of those around him.

Dr. Srinivasan lives by a guiding principle that reflects his deep sense of connection with others. He believes that even when he is not physically present, his actions, his emotions, and his joy will continue to resonate with the people he has touched. This principle underscores his commitment to living a life of meaning, where the impact of his work and his kindness will endure long after he is gone.

Through his journey, Dr. Srinivasan Iyer has demonstrated that challenges and setbacks are not barriers to success but stepping stones to growth and self-discovery.