From India to Egypt: Exploring Spirituality, Economics, and Technology

Rajodh Singh was born and raised in Punjab, India, part of the Sikh community. He has a curious spirit and desire to teach, and always aimed to learn concepts deeply and explain them simply to others.

Roots Blossoming in India

My story started in Punjab. That's where I was born. And I'm still part of that region in India, which is in northwest. Our state is right next to the border with Pakistan, and it's a very interesting place where I was born in. I belong to Sikh religion, it has its own unique culture and history, and it has its own principle and values.

“I would say I've got the very weird mix of a conservative Indian family, but Americanized to an extent…. That is very interesting and complicated at the same time, I think, which is happening in India a lot, where you have roots in Indian culture, community, family, but you have so much influence by American entrepreneurs, American creators, American movies, that we millennials, that's the generation that I belong to has become this very unique mix. And every single year it's evolving. It's a very interesting time to be in India.”

My startup journey began in India, a nation rapidly transforming into an economic powerhouse. The digital payments revolution has impacted all of India - street vendors to iPhone sellers use seamless digital transactions through unified payment interfaces. This was enabled by billionaires like Mukesh Ambani offering free 4G data plans, increasing internet adoption exponentially.

India's GDP growth is now 6.8%, surpassing China, while per capita income has jumped 5X in a decade to $2,600. Massive infrastructure projects like the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, recent 5G rollout and tech giants like Google expanding demonstrate India's rise. Having seen this growth firsthand, I firmly believe India will become an economic "rocket ship" in the coming years.

Startup Launch In Cairo, Egypt

I wanted hands-on experience in startups, so I moved to Cairo, Egypt to help grow a ride-sharing company. As a new startup facing off against Uber, the initial months were challenging. Adapting to the culture took time but I persevered by meeting business leaders, running marketing experiments and having an open mind to learn.

I realized balancing culture and business is essential in markets like Egypt. To gain driver supply, we provided basic services for their families like healthcare and education, building an emotional connection beyond transactions. This cultural understanding and empathy led to progress for the company.

After establishing a strong foothold in Egypt, our next milestone was expansion into Africa. The massive potential across underpenetrated sectors combined with fascinating cultures attracted me. Our plan was to build insights in Egypt before entering major economies like Nigeria and South Africa.

Africa did not disappoint - the welcoming cultures, entrepreneurial spirit and warmth of the people exceeded my expectations. Leading teams across India, Egypt and Africa has contributed immensely to my personal growth.

This diverse experience across three continents has shaped me as a leader. I'm excited to continue this journey, leveraging my versatile skillset to build solutions that create value and improve lives, no matter the challenge. The emerging markets of India, Africa and MENA remain dynamic places to drive impact and positive change.

The Shift to Spirituality

Being from India, the so-called “spiritual capital of the world”, my early views on spirituality were muddled by the sheer diversity of faiths and practices. With Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity and more, India houses a kaleidoscope of religious traditions. For an average Indian, this abundance can overwhelm and confuse one's spiritual journey.

“I think an average Indian gets so confused because we have so many religions and the concept of spirituality has so many different colors here in India. It's overwhelming, right, for anybody… at the end, people end up choosing their own path and see what's leading them to a state of self awareness. For me, that was Zen meditation”

Seeking clarity, I found resonance in Zen Buddhism, drawn to its insights into suffering and impermanence. After a traumatic personal experience, I attended a 3-day meditation retreat at an ashram, not knowing what to expect. The teachers and meditation practices fundamentally opened my eyes, entirely shifting my perspective on spirituality. Core concepts like non-attachment, living in the present and recognizing the ephemeral nature of all things provided deep solace and wisdom to make sense of life's pain.

Beyond Buddhism, I explored diverse areas from breathwork to metaphysics. Introduced by a German teacher in the spiritual center of Goa, I learned the science and methods behind ancient pranayama practices. Despite overt commercialization in places, India still retains its sacred energy, especially in spiritual hotspots like Rishikesh. Across the world from Egypt's pyramids to India's ashrams, certain power places share this eternal spiritual power.

Born into a traditional Sikh family, I retained core principles like seva (selfless service) but looked beyond the religious silo I was born into. India's extraordinary diversity inspired me to understand varied cultures and schools of thought. But I still proudly self-identify as a Sikh – it means "student", emphasizing the humility and openness to learn throughout one's life.

The turban is an integral symbol of the Sikh faith, representing responsibility and commitment to living righteously. Serving free meals to the masses embodies the collectivist spirit of India. Here, happiness stems less from individual aspirations but uplifting others in the community. With new economic prosperity, maintaining these humanitarian values amidst rapid change will be key.

Tech Growth and Spirituality in India

India is modernizing at breakneck speed – evident in booming tech unicorns, digital payments adoption and massive infrastructure projects. But ancient practices like yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and spirituality have been smartly packaged and exported worldwide. Blending technological innovation with timeless wisdom, India is a rocket ship grounded in spirituality.

“As a culture, we just are very acceptable in terms of having people outside of the country to trade and share ideas and… have a collaborative way of growing ourselves, but also helping others grow within the country. There's so many stories, so many founders who've permanently moved to India and they're from United States, they're from Europe….”

The 21st century demands a pluralistic and inclusive approach to spiritual growth. Dogma and claims of monopoly on truth must be shed. My spiritual journey continues to evolve, incorporating universal teachings from the world's faiths. Through India's infinitely diverse traditions, I gained an expansive, non-dogmatic worldview recognizing the light present in all.

Listen to the full episode here.