In the city known for coding dreams and tech breakthroughs, an unexpected voice from behind an auto rickshaw is reminding the internet of something more human—resilience. Surendra R, once an IT professional with a credible career in Quality Assurance, has captured the hearts of thousands after his moving story was shared on LinkedIn by a passenger who happened to be in Human Resources.
A Simple Question That Hit Home
Gayatri Gopakumar was just another commuter in Bengaluru when her auto driver, Surendra, interrupted her work call with a question that stopped her in her tracks: “Sorry Ma’am, are you in HR? Could you help me get a job?” It wasn’t a scripted plea, just an honest request from a man who had once navigated software dashboards and now navigates the city’s traffic to make ends meet.
His words, simple yet loaded with dignity and desperation, led Gayatri to dig deeper. What she discovered—and what she shared with the world—was a tale of ambition interrupted by adversity, and now, a quiet determination to return to the professional sphere.
From Boardrooms to Bylanes
Surendra’s résumé reads like that of any experienced IT professional. He had worked as a Senior Associate and Quality Analyst, led teams, managed projects, and earned recognition for independent problem-solving. But life had other plans. A stroke during a winter trip and a subsequent family health crisis forced him to leave his job. With no financial safety net, he turned to auto driving—a decision born of necessity, not defeat.
“I want to get back,” Surendra told Gayatri, who later wrote in her viral LinkedIn post, “He is ready to return, be it in Quality Assurance, Ops Support, or any back-office role that fits his experience.” Moved by his story, she included his photo and contact information, urging her network to help.
LinkedIn Lends an Ear—and a Platform
The post, captioned “Second Time’s the Charm?”, has resonated deeply with users across LinkedIn, many of whom praised Surendra’s spirit and Gayatri’s compassion. “A powerful story of resilience,” wrote one user. Another simply commented, “All the best to him.” Several others boosted the post’s reach by commenting #cfbr—an acronym standing for “commenting for better reach.”
In an age of rapid layoffs and digital disruption, Surendra’s story stands out not just for its emotional weight, but for its reflection of the times. Degrees and designations may fade, but grit and grace remain currency in any career.