A PhD scholar in Chennai, India, recently became an internet sensation after an encounter with American vlogger Christopher Lewis. While exploring Tamil Nadu, Lewis stumbled upon the scholar’s street food cart on Google Maps and decided to give it a try. He ordered a plate of Chicken 65, a popular South Indian dish, and struck up a conversation with the vendor while waiting.
The vlogger was taken aback when the vendor revealed he was pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology. He even offered to share his research articles with Lewis, suggesting he search for them on Google using his name and university. Lewis, intrigued, proceeded to search for “Tarul Rayan SRM University,” confirming the vendor’s academic credentials.
The video of this encounter, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by FI_InvestIndia, quickly went viral, accumulating over 81.8K views. The post sparked discussions about the dedication of students in India who often work part-time to help their families. Several users pointed out that this story is not unique, citing other examples of students juggling studies with jobs.
“The same YouTuber went to Marina Beach and ate Corn in a shop. A girl was there helping her mom and doing college. In Tamil Nadu, you can see many students doing part-time and helping their parents,” one user commented.
Another user praised the dedication to education, stating, “This is one example why TN leads. Knowing English is the gateway to acquire knowledge.”
One user attempted to draw a comparison between the south and north of India, stating, “This is what a difference is between south and north. North, you guys are focusing only on religion and caste. Here, we treat everyone the same. Our primary focus is on education.”
The story of the PhD scholar running a street food cart resonated with many, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to education that prevails in India. This story follows the trend of other successful Indian entrepreneurs who have achieved success while running seemingly ordinary businesses. Examples like MBA Chaiwali, BTech Panipuri Wali, and Audi Chaiwala have garnered widespread attention on social media, demonstrating the power of passion and perseverance in achieving success.
