Chennai's PhD candidate Tarul Rayan gains Anand Mahindra's attention for a 'truly special' reason

Tarul Rayan, a PhD candidate in biotechnology from Chennai, has recently captured the spotlight after a video featuring him went viral in September. The video, shared by American vlogger Christopher Lewis, shows Rayan running a food cart while simultaneously pursuing his academic goals.

During his tour of Chennai, Lewis discovered Rayan’s food cart and was impressed not only by the delicious Chicken 65 and chicken cutlets Rayan prepared but also by his unwavering dedication to his studies. In the video, Rayan encouraged Lewis to look up his academic research online, showcasing his commitment to both his business and education.

This clip went viral a while ago.

An American vlogger discovers a Ph.D candidate running a food stall, part-time.

What struck me as truly special, however, was the end, when he picks up his phone & the vlogger thinks he’s going to show him social media mentions of his… pic.twitter.com/e9zMizTJwG

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 4, 2024

This remarkable story caught the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra, who took to social media to praise Rayan. In his appreciation post, Mahindra highlighted the unique and inspiring nature of Rayan's journey. “This clip went viral a while ago. An American vlogger discovers a PhD candidate running a food stall, part-time. What struck me as truly special, however, was the end, when he picks up his phone and the vlogger thinks he’s going to show him social media mentions of his stall—but instead, he proudly shows him online the research papers he has authored! Incredible. Unique. Indian,” Mahindra said.

Rayan's story is a testament to the balance between education and entrepreneurship, illustrating that it's possible to manage multiple responsibilities and succeed. His journey serves as an inspiration to others in similar situations, proving that dedication and hard work can lead to thriving both academically and in business.