Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico Limited and founder of the ASCENT Foundation, recently experienced a poignant moment onboard a routine flight from Coimbatore to Mumbai. A young entrepreneur quietly handed him a handwritten letter that would leave the business veteran reflective and moved. The gesture came from Karnesh SV, a former Zerodha employee, now turned entrepreneur, who used the flight to convey his admiration in a humble but impactful way.
A Letter That Spoke Volumes
Instead of initiating a conversation, Karnesh chose a more thoughtful route — writing a brief yet heartfelt letter and passing it discreetly to Mariwala during the flight. In the note, Karnesh shared his gratitude for Mariwala’s contributions to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially through the ASCENT Foundation. He acknowledged how Mariwala’s emphasis on values, culture, and support for first-generation entrepreneurs deeply influenced his own journey.
Karnesh introduced himself as the founder of two ventures — The Solare, an eco-tourism project in Himachal Pradesh, and GIDIMA, a South Indian quick-service restaurant based in Ahmedabad. His note expressed how Mariwala's leadership approach had inspired the core values behind these businesses.
Mariwala’s Reflections On The Gesture
Sharing the moment on both LinkedIn and X, Mariwala described the experience as humbling. He noted how such small acts of appreciation remind him of the wide-reaching impact of work done with purpose and intent. He said the letter served as a reminder that inspiration often travels beyond visible boundaries and finds unexpected expressions.
Mariwala stated that the message reinforced his belief in the power of communities and peer learning — principles central to the ASCENT Foundation. He added that encouraging words, even as simple as a handwritten note, can become a source of great motivation for those striving to build something meaningful.
About ASCENT Foundation
Founded in 2012, ASCENT is Mariwala’s not-for-profit initiative aimed at supporting growth-stage entrepreneurs. The foundation brings together over 950 entrepreneurs across India through self-facilitated peer learning groups known as Trust Groups. These groups create a platform for founders and business leaders to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow in a collective, value-driven environment.
Mariwala’s social media post received widespread attention from the entrepreneurial community, with many praising both Karnesh’s thoughtful gesture and the chairman’s gracious response.
As Mariwala concluded in his post, he extended his best wishes to Karnesh and encouraged other entrepreneurs to continue learning, building, and believing in their journey.
A Letter That Spoke Volumes
Instead of initiating a conversation, Karnesh chose a more thoughtful route — writing a brief yet heartfelt letter and passing it discreetly to Mariwala during the flight. In the note, Karnesh shared his gratitude for Mariwala’s contributions to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially through the ASCENT Foundation. He acknowledged how Mariwala’s emphasis on values, culture, and support for first-generation entrepreneurs deeply influenced his own journey.
Karnesh introduced himself as the founder of two ventures — The Solare, an eco-tourism project in Himachal Pradesh, and GIDIMA, a South Indian quick-service restaurant based in Ahmedabad. His note expressed how Mariwala's leadership approach had inspired the core values behind these businesses.
On my flight back from Coimbatore to Mumbai last week, I received this handwritten note from a fellow passenger.
— Harsh Mariwala (@hcmariwala) July 9, 2025
Reading it was a humbling reminder of how our work can reach people in ways we do not always expect. This note came from an entrepreneur who once worked at Zerodha… pic.twitter.com/8aSUqhgEWh
Mariwala’s Reflections On The Gesture
Sharing the moment on both LinkedIn and X, Mariwala described the experience as humbling. He noted how such small acts of appreciation remind him of the wide-reaching impact of work done with purpose and intent. He said the letter served as a reminder that inspiration often travels beyond visible boundaries and finds unexpected expressions.
Mariwala stated that the message reinforced his belief in the power of communities and peer learning — principles central to the ASCENT Foundation. He added that encouraging words, even as simple as a handwritten note, can become a source of great motivation for those striving to build something meaningful.
About ASCENT Foundation
Founded in 2012, ASCENT is Mariwala’s not-for-profit initiative aimed at supporting growth-stage entrepreneurs. The foundation brings together over 950 entrepreneurs across India through self-facilitated peer learning groups known as Trust Groups. These groups create a platform for founders and business leaders to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow in a collective, value-driven environment.
Mariwala’s social media post received widespread attention from the entrepreneurial community, with many praising both Karnesh’s thoughtful gesture and the chairman’s gracious response.
As Mariwala concluded in his post, he extended his best wishes to Karnesh and encouraged other entrepreneurs to continue learning, building, and believing in their journey.
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