Unboxed Thinking: How Ashoka’s Liberal Arts Approach Shaped My Path

Gurasheesh Paul Singh, an Ashoka University alum, grew up in rural North Kashmir. His curiosity about himself and his roots led him to major in history and international relations. Although he didn’t initially harbor any professional ambition in these fields, the freedom of a liberal arts education emboldened him to pursue technology as a career. He gained hands-on experience at Ashoka University’s neuroscience lab under Professor Bittu before eventually starting his own company.

In conversation with us, Gurasheesh shared insights into his upbringing in rural North Kashmir, his journey through the fields of history and international relations, and how his experiences at Ashoka University have influenced his passion for technology and entrepreneurship.

What motivated you to start your venture, and what has the journey been like so far?
I realised early on that I wanted to be in control of the impact I have on the world and be free to work on things that excited me—finding something so tailored to an existing job felt unrealistic. So, the obvious answer was to do it myself, which aligned well with my penchant for making things. I could make things, and now I could make a living from making them too.

How has Ashoka’s liberal arts approach influenced your idea of entrepreneurship?
It was central to not getting boxed into a discipline or an ideology. I was attracted to Ashoka because of what it claimed to be before we—the first undergraduates—set foot on campus. Ten years later, I’m glad to report that it did indeed enable me to learn in earnest, not as a byproduct of seeking a vocation, which in turn allows me to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

In what ways does your venture aim to bring about positive change in the community?
I hope it can meaningfully enhance access to energy, decarbonise energy, and generate employment along the way.

What advice would you give to Ashoka students or alumni who are aspiring to start their own ventures?
There’s a SpongeBob episode where they decide to become “entrepreneurs” after reading the “Fancy Living” magazine and observing how a guy is so rich he has a pool in his pool. “Fancy Living” may be reason enough for some, but having your own venture can be a vehicle for so much more. If you can recruit some core motivational forces in your life and channel them into your venture, you’re more likely to persevere when the going gets tough.

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