In the quiet lanes of a rural village in Kerala, nestled between rice fields and coconut groves, began the story of a boy whose life would one day span continents and shape the digital infrastructure of the modern world. Born into a humble family of agriculturists, Dr. Saji Purathepparambil Kunjappan was not surrounded by the trappings of privilege or prestige. Instead, he was immersed in something far more powerful—a culture of discipline, dignity in labor, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

His father, the late Purathepparambil Kunjappan, was a hardworking agriculturist whose hands bore the calluses of toil but whose mind remained fertile with wisdom rooted in tradition. His life revolved around the rhythm of the seasons, the rising of the sun, and the belief that the land, like a child, yielded best when nurtured with patience. Though not a man of many words, he spoke volumes through his actions. It was from him that young Saji first learned that consistency was not an act but a habit, and that success—no matter how distant it seemed—was merely the result of relentless perseverance.

Dr. Saji’s mother, Ammini Kunjappan, with only a high school education, carried the light of learning in their household. A homemaker by responsibility, she was a silent force of motivation behind each child’s education. She instilled in her children the importance of humility and character alongside academics. Her belief in the value of knowledge was unshakeable. Books were rare luxuries in the home, but she treated them like sacred relics. Every report card was celebrated, every mistake gently corrected, and every achievement, however small, was a family triumph.

In a home where resources were scarce, ambition was not just encouraged—it was expected. Dr. Saji grew up as the second youngest of four siblings, each of whom would go on to become engineers. Education was not an option; it was the only path forward, the only real inheritance their parents could offer. There were no shortcuts, no sense of entitlement—only a deep, collective understanding that discipline was the bridge between dreams and reality.

Even as a child, Dr. Saji was curious—deeply observant, mechanically inclined, and often found dismantling old radios or wiring simple electric circuits from scrap. He was fascinated by how things worked. But beyond that intellectual curiosity was a quiet, internalized discipline. His days were structured, his responsibilities clear. Schoolwork came before play. Respect for elders was non-negotiable. And failure, while never punished, was never allowed to go unexamined.

Their home, though modest in size, was rich in values. Mornings began early, often before sunrise, with Dr. Saji helping with household chores or in the family’s agricultural work before heading to school. The evenings were marked by candlelight study sessions and dinner conversations laced with stories of struggle, resilience, and the promise of a better future.

It was in these early years that the first pillars of his character were built—discipline, empathy, responsibility, and resilience. What many saw as limitations—rural life, financial constraints, lack of exposure—Dr. Saji saw as strengths. They gave him clarity, grit, and an unshakeable work ethic that would become the bedrock of his future leadership.

Looking back, it is evident that his leadership didn’t begin in a boardroom—it began in a barefoot walk to school on a muddy path, holding a well-used satchel and a heart full of determination. His early environment taught him that every challenge could be an opportunity, every setback a lesson.

The seeds sown by his parents were not just academic—they were moral and spiritual. Seeds of self-awareness, self-correction, and self-motivation. And as the years went by, these seeds would take root, weather storms, and rise—branching out across the world in ways that no one in that small Kerala village could have imagined.

This was not just the beginning of a career. This was the birth of a mindset—one that believed in earning success through excellence, and in staying grounded no matter how high one climbed.

And it all began with discipline.