A viral social media post has brought widespread attention to the reported story of Vivek Sharma, an IIT Bombay Computer Science gold medallist who is said to have turned down a lucrative job offer in the United States to care for his ailing parents.
According to the post, Vivek was set to begin his career at a San Francisco-based startup with an annual package of around $240,000 (approximately Rs 2.9 crore). The offer reportedly included visa sponsorship, relocation assistance and an opportunity to work on advanced technology projects in the US.
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However, just days before his scheduled departure, his plans allegedly took an unexpected turn. The post claims his father suffered a heart attack, while his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing the family into a difficult medical battle involving hospital visits, surgeries and chemotherapy.
Rather than pursue his overseas career, Vivek reportedly decided to stay back in Kanpur to support his parents. According to the viral account, he cancelled his visa interview and declined the high-paying job offer, choosing family responsibilities over professional ambitions.
The post further states that Vivek comes from a lower-middle-class family. His father worked as a railway clerk, while his mother earned additional income by taking tuition classes. It claims the family made several sacrifices to fund his education, including exhausting their savings, selling jewellery and supporting his coaching in Kota before he secured admission to IIT Bombay, where he later graduated with a gold medal in Computer Science.
After remaining in Kanpur, Vivek reportedly took up a job at a local software company before opening a small grocery shop named Sharma General Store beneath his home to help meet the family’s financial needs. Alongside managing the shop, he is also said to teach coding to underprivileged children and undertake freelance software assignments during the night.
The viral post also claims that years later, the same international company contacted Vivek again with a remote role on an education-focused project, allowing him to work from Kanpur while continuing to care for his parents.
The story has resonated with thousands on social media, with many users praising what they describe as his selfless decision to prioritise family over financial success. However, the claims are based on a viral social media post and have not been independently verified.
Regardless of its authenticity, the story has sparked conversations about the meaning of success, highlighting how personal values, family commitments and difficult life choices often shape people’s journeys just as much as academic achievements or lucrative careers.
