Hello World

Pawan KhatriPawan Khatri
5 min read

Welcome to the first post on My Blog! If you’ve stumbled here by chance or intent, buckle up because this is where it all begins. Let’s dive into the delightful chaos of my life story—a mix of serendipity, missteps, and milestones.


Chapter 1: The Raipur Roots

Born and raised in Raipur, I finished high school in 2013. What followed was a not-so-glorious year of doing B.Com and prepping for CLAT. I poured effort into studying, convinced I’d ace it because my coaching teachers swore by the magic number 100 for a state general cutoff. But life threw me a curveball—the paper was unusually easy that year, and cutoffs soared. After 20 agonizing days on the waitlist, I snuck into the batch as the second-last admit. It wasn’t a grand entry, but it was an entry nonetheless, and that’s what mattered.

Little did I know, this humbling start would set the tone for the rollercoaster ride that my life would become. It taught me patience, perseverance, and that sometimes you have to cling to hope even when it seems pointless.


Chapter 2: College Chronicles

HNLU, Raipur wasn’t just a university; it was a transformative playground. From euphoric highs to dreadful lows, the residential life had it all. It wasn’t the institution itself that shaped me, but the people, the situations, and the challenges it threw my way. Friendships, heartbreaks, and the late-night maggi sessions all became a part of my identity.

Amidst it all, I discovered my entrepreneurial streak. I taught myself web development and created “Hostel Dhaba”—a food delivery platform for campus eateries. The app worked so well that engineering students next door bought it for ₹25,000. My first-ever exit!

When not hustling, I’d binge-watch travel vlogs, sparking dreams of becoming a Travel Content Creator. But dreams don’t pay the bills, so I took the sensible route and became an Associate at a law firm in New Delhi.


Chapter 3: Delhi Days

Adulting hit me hard at 23 when I moved to Delhi. The transition from a cozy college campus to a bustling metro city was nothing short of overwhelming. I built a home from scratch—a tiny sanctuary shared with Anshu, a colleague-turned-flatmate. Together, we navigated the chaos of the city, from its unforgiving traffic to its relentless pace of life.

But the job quickly lost its charm. The monotony and lack of purpose began to weigh on me. To make matters worse, the students who bought Hostel Dhaba claimed to be its founders, winning competitions and bagging jobs at Deloitte. The irony? Their “startup” landed them a higher-paying gig than my lawyer’s salary. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it also ignited a fire in me to pursue something greater.

Amidst this chaos, I finally got time off and trekked to the world’s highest Shiva temple. Snow-capped peaks reignited my passion for travel. Just when I thought life couldn’t get more unpredictable, COVID hit.


Chapter 4: Lockdown Silver Linings

Stuck in a Delhi apartment with Anshu and my childhood friend Aditya, we somehow found joy in the mundane. From cooking experiments to late-night movie marathons, we made the most of our lockdown days. But two months in, the longing for home grew too strong to ignore. Aditya and I braved a taxi ride home to Raipur, surviving a 14-hour border ordeal.

Back home, boredom turned productive when I pitched and landed a project to redesign my university’s website. It was my biggest freelance project to date, both in terms of size and earnings. Freelancing became my unexpected ally during those lockdown months, keeping me afloat and even helping me save up for future adventures.


Chapter 5: From Job to Freelancer

December 2020 saw me trade city life for the serenity of Dharamkot. Those months were a revelation—I could work remotely, freelance, and dream of quitting my 9-to-5. Dharamkot’s tranquil charm was the perfect backdrop for introspection and growth.

By mid-2021, I’d saved enough to take the plunge. First stop: Ladakh. It was magical. The snow-covered landscapes, the serene monasteries, and the thrill of solo travel made it a trip to remember. Yet, every time I tried vlogging my travels, self-doubt crept in. “Next trip,” I’d promise myself. A loop I’d come to know too well.


Chapter 6: The Travel Spree

Ladakh unleashed a wanderlust I couldn’t rein in. From Sikkim to Spiti Valley, Vietnam to Bali, my passport got a workout. These weren’t just vacations; they were journeys that reshaped my perspective. From the breathtaking beaches of Thailand to the surreal landscapes of Kazakhstan, each destination left its mark.

By April 2023, reality struck. Travel Content Creation as a career wasn’t for me—the patience and consistency it demanded weren’t my strengths. I pivoted, deciding to create content for joy, not career goals. Travel became a passion, free from professional pressure.


Chapter 7: Canada Chronicles

Behind the scenes, my Canada PR application was brewing. By May 2024, I had my PR and, in August, found myself in the land of maple leaves. The Rockies and Lake Moraine were stunning, but Canada’s reality fell short of its dreamy reputation. Racism, lack of opportunities, and a broken healthcare system outweighed the perks.

Still, I made the most of my time there, registering a business, opening bank accounts, and traveling to the Canadian Rockies. But two months later, I was back in India, content with treating the experience as a trial run.


Chapter 8: Mumbai Hustle

Now in Mumbai, I’m balancing my legal marketing and creative agencies. The city’s chaos grates on me, but its opportunities are unparalleled. It’s a love-hate relationship, but I’m determined to make 2025 a year of growth. This is the year to build, explore startup ideas, and push boundaries.


If you’ve made it this far, thank you for indulging my rollercoaster of a journey. Stick around for more stories, musings, and adventures. Subscribe, comment, or just silently cheer me on—I’m grateful either way. Here’s to the journey ahead!

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Pawan Khatri
Pawan Khatri