Shillong, May 9: Nithin Kamath, the CEO of Zerodha, posted a photo of himself with his father-in-law Shivaji Patil on Monday and explained how the 70-year-old retired Army official taught him the principles of leading a decent life.
Kamath revealed in a lengthy Instagram post that Patil voluntarily left the Indian Army as a Havaldar in order to open his own grocery store in Belgaum, Karnataka.
Kamath wrote, “Being content is the only way to true freedom. A person who embodies this is my father-in-law, Shivaji Patil. He was in the Indian Army & voluntarily retired as a Havaldar after losing his fingers to frostbite during the Kargil War. He started a grocery shop in Belgaum after”.
Zerodha CEO wrote, “He is 70 years old but goes to the local market regularly on his decades-old scooter for the specially-abled to buy groceries for the shop. His only help is my mother-in-law, who helps him run the shop and manages the house. He refuses to stop working, even with the success Seema and I have had. When I ask him about margins for various products in the shop, there is still a twinkle in his eye. He speaks about a 25% margin on chikkis, buying a box at Rs 200 & selling them individually for Rs 250”.
The Zerodha CEO further stated that he has never seen him wanting something or complaining, not even about losing his fingers in the war.
“Although, he did try to convince me to get a government job when I asked him permission to marry his daughter in 2007 when I was still struggling.
I have been geeking out about increasing healthspan or how to live a good life until the end. I have no doubt that the answer is to be content and never stop being active mentally and physically. Money can’t buy this, and he is the best example” said Nithin Kamath.