Saurabh Gadiya - Pune, Maharashtra

 

From Confusion to Clarity: My Journey with Let’s Make A Difference

—By Saurabh Rajendra Gadiya, Pune (2025) 

If I could sum up Let’s Make A Difference (LMAD) in one name, it would be Viral Bhai. Or as I now call him—Viral Sir, my mentor, my guide, my life coach, my pole star. For me, LMAD is not just a platform. It is not just a conference. It is the reason I am alive today. It is the compass that has directed my life for over two decades, and Viral Bhai has been the anchor of that compass.

I first walked into LMAD in 2005—a 16-year-old boy from Baramati, fresh out of 12th standard, shifting to Pune with dreams in my eyes and confusion in my heart. I was stepping into the vast world of civil engineering, dabbling in cricket and acting, chasing success without knowing what it really meant. Little did I know, the real education I needed wasn’t just about engineering—it was about life. And I found that in those 8 days at Asia Plateau.

But LMAD was never just those 8 days. It became my way of life.

The Turning Point: A Crash That Rebuilt Me
Three years into my LMAD journey, I had a severe car accident. It was my birthday night. In a moment of peer pressure, I gave in—I had alcohol, lost control, and crashed. I spent the night in a police station. The car was destroyed. My parents’ trust shattered. My image collapsed. That night, the reality of life hit me harder than the crash ever could.

But it was also the night my inner voice spoke louder than ever before.

LMAD had already planted seeds of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love in me. That voice—my conscience—reminded me of those values. It showed me a different path. A harder one, yes. But the right one. Slowly, I rebuilt trust. I chose responsibility. I chose to join my father in business and began carving my own identity—not as a cricketer or actor, but as someone who builds something lasting. That voice came from the foundation that LMAD gave me.

Entrepreneurship Rooted in Values
I’ve walked the entrepreneurial path for many years now, and while I don’t consider myself a massive success, I also don’t feel like a failure. The reason is simple: I haven’t given up. And not giving up is one of the deepest lessons LMAD etched into my soul.

I’ve missed opportunities, left money on the table, and avoided shortcuts because my decisions have always been guided by values, not temptations. Whether it was saying no to unethical practices or walking away from questionable partnerships, LMAD’s thought process has been the moral compass of my business life.

But there have been wins too—like completing the Nationalist Congress Party’s 8,000 sq. ft. Pune office in just 18 days. It was a moment of immense pride. I led my team with integrity, passion, and speed—all without compromising on the values that matter. These are the kinds of achievements that feel truly fulfilling.

Yes, I’ve tasted both success and failure, but never lost the will to keep writing my story.

Marriage, Fatherhood & the Power of Relationships
Becoming a husband was a turning point. Becoming a father of two took that turn into a complete 360-degree transformation. Marriage brought its challenges, and parenting brought even deeper responsibilities—but LMAD gave me the inner discipline to deal with both.

I’ve learned to ask myself: What is the right thing to do in this relationship?

That question, rooted in values, has helped me grow—first as a partner who gives, and then as a father who leads by example.

Thanks to the influence of Viral Bhai, family comes first for me—not as a slogan, but as a lived reality. His wisdom has always inspired me to stay rooted, to serve, to be emotionally available for my loved ones. In a time when family structures are breaking, I’m proud to live in a strong joint family. We thrive because we give. We sacrifice. We love deeply. And I believe these qualities are more needed now than ever before.

Disconnection, Disillusionment & Return
Between 2011 and 2019, I disconnected from LMAD. Life, finances, and personal conflicts drew me away. I lost alignment. And when I look back, I see those years as a personal loss. When you’re not connected to good people, you lose your inner compass. I made choices that didn’t reflect my values.

And yet, even in that fog, LMAD’s voice lingered. Like an old friend whispering in your conscience. Eventually, it pulled me back in.

When I returned in 2019, I returned not just to the community—but to myself. Once again, I could hear my inner voice clearly. That’s the magic of LMAD—it doesn’t just stay in your past. It waits for you to return, and welcomes you like home.

A Global Family, A Timeless Bond
LMAD gave me the world—literally. I’ve met friends at Asia Plateau whom I’ve later bumped into in Australia and South Korea. This isn’t just a platform; it’s a living network of changemakers who share a value system.

Wherever I go, LMAD follows.

Legacy over Profits, Long-Term over Short-Term
I’ve started businesses that didn’t work out. But failure didn’t break me—because LMAD taught me to think long-term. It taught me that the foundation matters more than the finish line. That relationships are more important than revenue. That values are more valuable than valuations.

And so, even when I walked away from profitable ventures due to ethical misalignment, I walked away with peace.

The Power of December Workshops & Inner Reflection
The LMAD December workshops have been my sanctuary. In the silence of those retreats, I’ve met the real me. I’ve reflected on what needs to change. I’ve burned the parts of myself that didn’t serve my growth. Those moments of stillness have given me the loudest answers.

That’s why I say—LMAD is not a conference. It is a mirror. And in that mirror, I’ve seen a better version of myself.

The Three Cs That Changed My Life
If I had to distill everything LMAD has given me, it would be these three words:

• Clarity — About who I am and what matters.
• Commitment — To my values, my vision, and my mentor.
• Consistency — In how I show up in the world, every single day.

The Road Ahead
I’m 37 now. It’s been over 20 years since I first walked into Asia Plateau. I was a boy then. I’m a man today. A man shaped by conscience, reflection, and the quiet, consistent support of Viral Mazumdar ji.

There are no words that can fully express my gratitude. So I choose to express it through action. Through commitment. Through contribution. I may not be the most successful entrepreneur—yet. But I am someone who lives by values, and that makes me rich in ways the world may not always measure.

I am, and always will be, a Let’s Make A Difference person—for life.

If you’re reading this, wondering whether LMAD is for you, I’ll say this: it’s not just a platform. It’s not a youth conference. It’s a revolution—of character, of clarity, of conscience. And once you’ve experienced it, your life will never be the same again.

Saurabh R Gadiya