Toshendra Sharma

Just like any other child, the earliest days of my life remain wrapped in a gentle haze. My memories begin softly, blurred snapshots of being cradled in the comforting embrace of my parents, playfully wrestling with my younger brother in the warm safety of our modest home. My journey towards consciousness started in Haldwani, a humble yet vibrant town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, part of Nainital district in what was then Uttar Pradesh, now Uttarakhand.

I was born into a family where dreams often battled stark realities. My father, a dedicated street fruit vendor, worked tirelessly beneath scorching summers and bone-chilling winters, selling fruits to ensure that our modest needs were met. My mother, a gentle but resolute homemaker, wove resilience and ambition into the very fabric of our upbringing. Alongside an elder brother, an elder sister, and a younger brother, I grew up navigating the joys and struggles that poverty often brought to our doorstep.

I distinctly recall holding tightly to my mother’s reassuring hand and my elder brother’s protective grip as we walked the narrow lanes to school, my heart fluttering with excitement at the prospect of nursery rhymes and childhood games. At school, my innocence blossomed under the affectionate guidance of Dimple Ma’am, a teacher who took special notice of my early talents. She saw something extraordinary in me—perhaps a spark of promise—as I confidently recited math tables, alphabets, and Hindi letters by heart despite being just 3 years old. Soon enough, whispers of me being a “child prodigy” reached my ears, instilling within me an early sense of pride and possibility.

It was my mother, however, who laid the foundation for this small triumph. Determined and visionary, she tirelessly taught me at home, convincing my school principal that I had mastered everything an LKG student needed to know even before officially starting school. Thus, in a remarkable turn of events, I entered school mid-year and found myself seated among classmates a year older than me—a circumstance that often made me the youngest, yet most eager student in the class.

My early school days were marked by warmth from teachers who left a lasting impact on my formative years—Dimple Ma’am, Janki Ma’am, Parvati Ma’am, Meenakshi Ma’am—all of whom encouraged me to excel despite my age. Even today, their kindness resonates deeply within me.

Outside the comforting walls of my school, the stark contrasts of poverty defined our daily lives. Luxuries that others took for granted were beyond our imagination. Meals from outside stalls or restaurants were unheard of—not due to any health consciousness, but simply because it was an extravagance we could never afford. Appliances such as refrigerators, mixers, microwaves, or even a color television were distant dreams; we lived a life untouched by these modern conveniences.

Our home, modest but hard-earned, was purchased by my father for just 17,000 INR—a piece of land that held more value to us than gold. Built with humble brick walls and a simple roof, featuring basic electricity and a water connection, our home represented a family’s determination to own a place of shelter, pride, and security. Moving into this house symbolized my family’s cautious optimism—escaping the burden of monthly rent payments while inching closer to stability.

Luxuries, such as meals outside our home, were an extravagance we simply could not afford. Not once during my childhood did I taste restaurant food or snacks from roadside vendors—not because my parents were particularly health-conscious, but because our reality was firmly rooted in survival.

Yet, amid these challenges, there existed an unwavering commitment from my parents to education. This deeply embedded value system gradually transformed our struggles into stepping stones, subtly guiding my path from hardship to hope, from scarcity to aspiration.

It was these humble beginnings, defined by simplicity, resilience, and quiet dignity, that laid the seeds of ambition within me—seeds that would, in time, flourish into accomplishments beyond our wildest dreams. This is the story of how poverty shaped my determination, nurtured my strength, and paved the road towards the man I am today—the founder and CEO of RecordsKeeper.AI.