A New Chapter: From Military School in Dehradun to Coding in Lithuania

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Every big journey starts with taking a chance on yourself. This is the story of mine so far.

Where it started

I was born in Birsinghpur Pali, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, India. When I was four, my mother sat me in front of a computer and taught me MS Paint and how to type my name. I didn't just want to use it. I wanted to know how it worked. That question has followed me ever since.

I started school at St. Joseph's, then spent Classes 5 to 10 at Kendriya Vidyalaya Nowrozabad, with a short two-month stay at DDM Public School in Korba, Chhattisgarh.

My family

None of this would have happened without my family.

My father, Mr. Ratnam, is a Senior Engineer at MPPGCL (Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company). My passion for engineering comes from him. Watching him work is how I first understood what an engineer does.

My mother, Vandana Ratnam, was a teacher and now works with the Department of Women and Child Development. She has been my first teacher for everything, from typing my name on a computer at four to how I treat people.

My grandmother's love and blessings are part of every chapter of this story, and they go with me wherever I am.

My younger sister, Soumya, is a national-level badminton player. Her dedication on the court reminds me what real hard work looks like.

My cousin brothers, R. Ashish and R. Avinash, born and raised in Korba, Chhattisgarh, have always been my constant support in technology. When I didn't have access to a gadget, they made sure I could use one, and they never stopped encouraging me.

Military school in Dehradun

Next came two years at a military school in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The routine was strict from morning to night. It taught me self-discipline, resilience, and how to hold my ground in any environment, lessons I rely on every day. Grounded in my Christian faith, I've always believed that hard work, genuine kindness, and staying true to your values open the right doors.

Starting from scratch

In January 2026 I moved south to Kerala to prepare for my next milestone: studying abroad. I went somewhere I had never been, without knowing the language or the culture, partly to prove to myself that I could build a life from scratch. It wasn't an easy route, but in September 2026 the plan became real when I moved to Kaunas, Lithuania, to study Software Systems at Kauno Kolegija.

Life in the Baltics

Arriving here has been an incredible ride: settling into dorm life, adapting to a completely new climate, and building friendships across cultures. I'm involved in the Erasmus Student Network and student life at Kauno Kolegija, and I'm learning Lithuanian. Whether it's working through code in the lab, talking with professors, or sharing stories over tea in the kitchen, I love bringing people together.

What's next

I'm here with a clear mission: master my craft in technology, make my family proud, and build a future that connects ambition with purpose. The journey is just getting started.

Read more about me on my website, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

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