Gave up IIT, slept on roads: How Rajasthan's 1st AGM put Udaipur on global chess map
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JYOTIRMOY HALDER
Two Indian entrepreneurs, Vijeet Suman and Chandrajeet Singh Rajawat, have achieved global success after overcoming significant early-life challenges. Their journeys highlight the resilience of Indian talent in fields ranging from Mexican tech entrepreneurship to international chess coaching.
From Indian Roots to Global Impact: The Resilience of Modern Entrepreneurs
The Diverse Paths of Vijeet Suman and Chandrajeet Singh Rajawat
Two distinct narratives of Indian success have recently emerged, highlighting the grit required to transition from local origins to international recognition. Vijeet Suman, an IIT Delhi alumnus, and Chandrajeet Singh Rajawat, a chess visionary from Udaipur, both demonstrate the unconventional paths that often define modern entrepreneurial success. While Suman navigated the complex corporate and tech ecosystems of Mexico, Rajawat overcame extreme personal adversity to establish a global footprint in the world of chess.
Overcoming Operational Chaos in Mexico
Vijeet Suman’s journey from Patna to Mexico serves as a masterclass in operational agility. By launching four distinct ventures—including Aroma Curry, Santulan, and Fortify—Suman faced the harsh realities of the gig economy and enterprise skepticism. His struggle with third-party delivery apps eating into margins at Aroma Curry underscores the universal challenges faced by modern entrepreneurs who must eventually pivot to direct-to-consumer channels to preserve profitability. His experience with Fortify further illustrates the difficulty of establishing institutional trust as a foreign founder in a new market.
The Chess Master’s Journey from Adversity
In contrast to the tech-driven path, Chandrajeet Singh Rajawat’s rise began with the abandonment of traditional academic success. After walking away from an IIT trajectory, he faced profound financial instability, famously sleeping on railway stations and stadium floors. His transition from a struggling youth to Rajasthan’s first Arena Grandmaster (AGM) signifies a triumph of persistence over circumstance. His ability to pivot from the frustration of cricket to the strategic depth of chess highlights his adaptive mindset.
Scaling Global Influence
Both individuals have successfully scaled their influence far beyond their home borders. Rajawat’s 'Kingdom of Chess' academy now operates across approximately 30 countries, nurturing talents like International Master Yash Bharadia. Similarly, Suman’s decision to build custom software to manage his ventures demonstrates a shift from being a mere service provider to becoming a tech-enabled entrepreneur. These stories suggest that the ability to synthesize complex operational data with long-term strategic vision is the hallmark of the modern Indian global professional.
Broader Implications and Future Trends
The stories of Suman and Rajawat reflect a growing trend of Indian professionals leveraging their foundational training—whether from elite institutes like IIT or through rigorous self-taught discipline—to disrupt global markets. We are seeing a move away from traditional corporate employment toward high-risk, high-reward ventures that prioritize vertical integration and niche expertise. As these entrepreneurs continue to scale, their experiences provide a roadmap for future generations of Indians seeking to bridge the gap between local talent and global demand.
Conclusion
The journeys of Vijeet Suman and Chandrajeet Singh Rajawat are testaments to the power of adaptability. Whether it is coding software for studio economics in Mexico or coaching world-class chess players from Udaipur, the underlying theme remains the same: the capacity to endure initial chaos and institutional friction is what ultimately defines global success. Their legacies are not just in their businesses, but in the systems and schools of thought they have built for others to follow.