Techie quit his job in USA, now selling Rajma Chawal, Kadhi Pakora on the streets of Punjab. Viral video leaves desis divided
Not all homecomings look the same, and some are served with a side of kadhi pakora. While many dream of moving abroad for a better life, one Indian techie chose to do the opposite. After spending years in the corporate grind of the United States, Maninder Singh returned home, not to climb another rung of the tech ladder, but to open a modest food stall in Punjab. His story, shared in a now-viral video, has sparked a wave of admiration and curiosity across the internet.
Maninder, who once navigated the structured chaos of New York’s tech world, now stands calmly behind a steaming kadhai in Mohali’s Phase 5. In a video posted by the Instagram food page Foodler, he recounts how his journey took a surprising turn after more than 12 years in the IT sector, including a three-year stint in the US.
He clarified that his return wasn’t forced; he wasn’t deported. It was a deeply personal decision following the death of his father. While many might have jumped back into the job market, Maninder saw things differently. Inspired by his wife’s exceptional cooking skills, he decided to create a business built around her talent.
“I’ve done it all—retail, call centres, tech.” But after coming back to India, he didn’t just want to find another job. Instead, the couple launched a humble street food venture offering Punjabi staples like rajma chawal and kadhi pakora, chaap and Mango lassi- comfort food with a story behind it. His decision to trade a desk in New York for a roadside stall in Punjab has sparked mixed reactions.
Netizens react
Reactions to Maninder Singh’s story have been mixed, with the internet divided over whether his move is admirable or misguided. Some users criticized the decision, calling it less of a business and more of a street-side setup, suggesting it sends the wrong message to aspiring professionals. Others questioned why he didn’t opt to open a proper restaurant instead, speculating whether it was an attempt to avoid taxes.
Some pointed out that the food being served didn’t appear visually appealing and argued that someone with international experience and a tech background shouldn’t be selling rice on the roadside. They warned that the food business is highly volatile—capable of providing a living, but perhaps not the best use of one’s skills and potential.
On the flip side, others saw his choice as a testament to the idea that happiness is a personal pursuit and not always tied to conventional definitions of success.
Maninder, who once navigated the structured chaos of New York’s tech world, now stands calmly behind a steaming kadhai in Mohali’s Phase 5. In a video posted by the Instagram food page Foodler, he recounts how his journey took a surprising turn after more than 12 years in the IT sector, including a three-year stint in the US.
He clarified that his return wasn’t forced; he wasn’t deported. It was a deeply personal decision following the death of his father. While many might have jumped back into the job market, Maninder saw things differently. Inspired by his wife’s exceptional cooking skills, he decided to create a business built around her talent.
“I’ve done it all—retail, call centres, tech.” But after coming back to India, he didn’t just want to find another job. Instead, the couple launched a humble street food venture offering Punjabi staples like rajma chawal and kadhi pakora, chaap and Mango lassi- comfort food with a story behind it. His decision to trade a desk in New York for a roadside stall in Punjab has sparked mixed reactions.
Netizens react
Reactions to Maninder Singh’s story have been mixed, with the internet divided over whether his move is admirable or misguided. Some users criticized the decision, calling it less of a business and more of a street-side setup, suggesting it sends the wrong message to aspiring professionals. Others questioned why he didn’t opt to open a proper restaurant instead, speculating whether it was an attempt to avoid taxes.
Some pointed out that the food being served didn’t appear visually appealing and argued that someone with international experience and a tech background shouldn’t be selling rice on the roadside. They warned that the food business is highly volatile—capable of providing a living, but perhaps not the best use of one’s skills and potential.
On the flip side, others saw his choice as a testament to the idea that happiness is a personal pursuit and not always tied to conventional definitions of success.
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