“Some journeys are not defined by where they begin, but by the courage to rise beyond every limit placed along the way.”

Introduction

Every amazing journey starts in the most ordinary parts of life. For Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop, that corner was the lively, crowded, and culturally rich heart of Old Delhi. It was a place where dreams often whispered more softly than the noise of rickshaws, markets, and everyday life. But out of these narrow streets came a boy whose curiosity was bigger than his situation and whose willpower would one day take him far beyond the limits of place, privilege, or expectation.

This biography tells the story of a man who didn’t get to the top by taking shortcuts or having sudden breakthroughs. Instead, he worked hard, learnt, and became morally clear over time. Dr. Vikas’s journey has taken him from Chandni Chowk & Nai Sarak to the global landscape of Data, Cloud, and AI transformation. It has been full of challenges, successes, new ideas, and quiet determination. It is a story that shows how starting out small can lead to great leadership and how the values learnt as a child can continue to shape one’s path long after the world starts to notice.

Vikas was born into a loving and hard-working family. Instead of material comfort, he grew up in a warm and loving home. Mr. Bishan Swaroop (his dad) and Mrs. Nirmal Swaroop (his mom) taught him lessons that would shape his character: honesty, discipline, respect, and faith in education as the key to changing one’s destiny. His brothers—Vishal, Vipin, Nitin—and sister Pooja were the first people he laughed with, made friends with, and shared dreams with. These connections, formed during the simple times of childhood in Old Delhi and later in Shalimar Bagh, shaped his emotional compass for the rest of his life.

As Vikas got older and started school, he realised something that would quietly shape his future: a natural desire to understand how things worked. He had a natural ability to analyse things, whether it was taking apart toys, looking for patterns, or playing with numbers. Teachers thought he was a serious and disciplined student, while friends thought he was a happy and dependable friend. These different views show an early duality that would later become his professional strength: the ability to be serious while still being friendly, and to be technically precise while still being warm.

His admission to Hansraj College (Delhi University) marked a pivotal moment, both academically and emotionally. Hansraj opened his eyes to a world of different points of view, diverse classmates, and fierce competition. He came from a middle-class family, so he sometimes doubted himself and compared himself to other students who had more resources. But instead of feeling small, he decided to rise. He learnt a lot and made a connection with science, logic, and problem-solving that would be the basis for his future in technology.

He kept working towards excellence at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, where he got his Master’s in Computer Applications (MCA). These years were tough because he had to study for long hours, didn’t have much money, and had to keep up with new technologies. But Dr. Vikas always found a reason to keep going, no matter how hard things got. His ability to bounce back during this time made his mental, emotional, and technical strength stronger, which would later help him on his journey into data engineering and cloud modernisation.

“Great journeys often begin in places the world overlooks, but the heart never forgets.”

Phase 1: Where Dreams Were Born in Narrow Lanes

Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop’s story doesn’t start in a place of comfort, privilege, or luxury. It starts in the colourful maze of Old Delhi, where life moves to the beat of busy streets, the smell of hot parathas, and the music of vendors calling out their deals. Chandni Chowk, Churi Walan and Nai Sarak were more than just places or streets on a map. They were like living, breathing parts of his childhood that changed him in ways he couldn’t understand at the time.

In those busy streets, dreams didn’t come wrapped in chances, they came wrapped in challenges, observations, and little moments that made a boy into a strong man. Even though those narrow alleys were physically small, they gave him a huge world of imagination. Every face taught you something, every corner told a story, and every day showed you something amazing in the ordinary.

Vikas grew up in a small house in Delhi’s old architecture, where he was surrounded by honesty, simplicity, and strength. His family didn’t have huge amounts of money, but they did have something much more powerful: values. His parents were the best examples of hard work and quiet dignity. His father was a strict and exact Branch Manager for a government company. He thought that honesty was the most important quality a man could have. His mother was gentle but very strong. She ran the house with love, faith, and a strong belief in the power of education.

Their home was one where nothing came easily, but everything felt right. During a hot Delhi summer, a working ceiling fan meant comfort. A candle lit during long power outages helped me stay focused. Sharing a plate of food on hard days brought people together. People never saw scarcity as a loss, instead, they saw it as a chance to appreciate every small blessing. This environment didn’t hold Vikas back, instead, it was the place where his character was carefully shaped.

“Before destiny shapes a man, it is the family that shapes his destiny.”

Phase 2: The Family That Made the Man

Long before the world knows about it, every outstanding story starts. It starts quietly, in the comfort of home, in the values that are shown through everyday actions, and in the silent sacrifices that build character long before success comes. Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop didn’t start his journey to becoming a global leader in Data and AI in corporate boardrooms or university halls. It all started in a small house where courage, compassion, discipline, and hope were part of everyday life. This home is where his family taught him everything he would become.

Vikas’s parents raised him in a world where values were not taught in school but shown in everyday life. His father, a man of few words but enormous influence, thought that a person’s true identity is shown by how responsible he is, not by how loud he talks. He was a Branch Manager in a government department and handled the responsibilities of his job with quiet dignity. Vikas often saw him leave for work on time and come home late, but he never complained. He kept the same steady discipline that had always been a part of his life. These simple things taught him his first lessons in responsibility, commitment, and how hard work is important.

His mother, on the other hand, was the heart of the home. She was quiet but powerful. She handled the stress of not having enough money with grace and a strong belief that education was the only way to change her children’s future. She wasn’t very educated, but she had a natural wisdom that helped her kids develop their moral and emotional cores. Vikas learnt compassion from her gentleness, resilience from her strength, and that hope is a strong force even in the hardest times from her unwavering faith.

His parents made a world where humility and ambition went hand in hand. They taught him that regardless of what happens in the world, he should always be honest. They taught him that character, not authority, earns respect. They taught him that the problems in life are not walls but rather steps towards growth.

“Sometimes the smallest shift in place becomes the greatest shift in perspective.”

Phase 3: Shifting Foundation - A New Beginning

Change often sneaks up on us, like when we move, go through a transition, or go to a new place that changes the way we live our lives every day. When Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop’s family moved from the busy, historic streets of Old Delhi to the quieter, greener area of Shalimar Bagh, it was one of those life-changing events. What seemed like a simple move would turn out to be a major turning point that would lead to new friends, new experiences, and a new understanding of himself.

It wasn’t easy to leave Old Delhi. The narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, the memories of Nai Sarak, and the familiar chaos of Churi Walan made up his first memories. They were the backdrop of his childhood, with sounds, colours, warmth, and energy all coming together in a way that only Old Delhi can. But the family’s needs changed as life went on. Shalimar Bagh was the next place they went because his father’s job and the growing kids needed a different place to live.

It was a very different world. The busy, colourful markets turned into wider roads and quieter areas. The air was fresher, the neighbourhood was more organised, and for the first time, Vikas felt what it was like to have more space, both physically and emotionally. He would make friends that would last for years, get used to new routines, and start to see life in ways he hadn’t before.

Shalimar Bagh wasn’t as busy as Old Delhi, but it did have something else: potential. The parks, open fields, and quiet evenings became his silent friends as his curiosity grew. In this setting, he started to feel like he was his own person, getting to know himself better than he had in the colourful culture where he had grown up.

One of the first things he remembers from this time is when the family got their first TV, a black and white Uptron model with shutter doors. Back then, having a TV was more than just a luxury for a lower-middle-class family, it was a sign of progress. You could feel the excitement. People from the neighbourhood, friends, and extended family all came to their house to watch shows like Chitrahaar, Ramayana, and the daily Doordarshan news.

Note of Thanks

As the remarkable journey of Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop unfolds across these pages, it becomes clear that his life has been shaped not only by his determination and discipline but also by the countless individuals whose love, guidance, and support became the foundation of his growth. This Note of Thanks stands as a tribute to every person who contributed to his evolution—quietly, selflessly, and wholeheartedly.

At the heart of his gratitude are his parents, Mr. Bishan Swaroop and Mrs. Nirmal Swaroop, whose values built the core of his character. Their sacrifices were many, and their dreams for him were simple yet profound. Through their unwavering belief in education, their humility, and their enduring strength, they instilled in him the virtues that continue to guide his decisions and shape his identity.

His wife, Puja, holds a special place in this acknowledgement. Her patience, emotional strength, and unwavering support became a steady anchor throughout his demanding professional journey. She carried an equal share of every challenge he faced, offering comfort, encouragement, and balance during moments when work left him exhausted or overwhelmed. Her presence, gentle and constant, has been one of the greatest blessings of his life.

His children, Dhruv and Kaashvi, remain the light of his world. Their laughter, innocence, and unconditional love remind him daily of the true meaning of purpose. They inspire him to be not only a better professional but also a better human being.

He also expresses deep gratitude toward his siblings—who have stood by him from childhood to adulthood with unwavering loyalty. Their shared memories, collective strength, and lifelong bond have been a source of emotional grounding.

Dr. Vikas also extends heartfelt thanks to his mentors—Siva, Vijay, and Prakash. Their guidance played a pivotal role in refining his technical acumen, shaping his leadership mindset, and helping him grow into the professional he is today.

To his colleagues, teachers, friends, and every well-wisher who contributed to any part of his journey, he offers sincere appreciation. Their support, advice, and presence have left a lasting impact.

This biography is, in many ways, a reflection of all those who walked beside him. Dr. Vikas extends his deepest thanks to each of them, for they helped shape not just his career but his life.

Thank You
Dr. Vikas Kumar Swaroop