It’s been a while since I’ve written a personal blog. You can say that Facebook and Twitter have made it easier and faster to communicate so I’ve had less time to write. But, today I have an exciting moment to share with you as part of my life’s journey.
Twenty-Three years ago when my parents first came to America – they had a strict agenda in mind for me. No surprise here, but they wanted for me to either be a doctor or engineer. They arrived with $25 in their pockets but their hearts were full of dreams. “Education is the key that opens all the locks to all the doors in the world. My four children will become doctors and engineers. Maybe even both!” my father would say. That didn’t necessarily happen – but with God’s blessings– we all became very successful.
When I was 10 – my Dad even made a “janampatri” (astrological life story) of my life. And when he had it read, he wasn’t too happy. The first question he had asked was, what will my son be when he grows up? The reply wasn’t what he hoped for. The person reading it said, “He’s not really an academic so he won’t do well in school. His options will be limited but he can always just start a business” Shortly after that reading, my dad stopped believing in this form of astrology.
As many of you know, I dropped out of high school at 16 to embark on my journey as an entrepreneur. And the rest, as you know is history.
After BlueLithium, I actually got involved with Pace University – one of the most prestigious universities in New York. Even though my career path didn’t include education, I’ve always been a big proponent of it. Life’s a journey, we all have different paths – and if I can inspire others to find their passion earlier through my lessons, I’ll consider myself rewarded.
Last year, I also served as a Pace Entrepreneur in Residence, where I encouraged students’ entrepreneurial spirit and motivated many of our future business leaders. Through my time spent there, I’m happy to announce that they will be honoring me at their 47th Annual Leaders in Management Award Dinner – on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Cipriani Wall Street. I am truly honored to be chosen and receive the Leaders in Management Award this year, which includes an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Commercial Science. Previous Pace University honorary doctorate recipients include: Hillary Clinton (former First Lady and Senator of New York), Ivan G. Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO, Verizon Communications, and Indra Nooyi CEO of PepsiCo.
I think out of all of my accomplishments, my parents will be the most proud about this one. My mother kept the law of attraction alive on this. While, I can’t say I was able to make her original dream come true by becoming a doctor, this was probably the closest I could ever get in reaching it.
As part of my tie with Pace, I’m also now setting up the “Gurbaksh Chahal Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program.” If you’d like to help and make a small contribution to this scholarship and help future aspiring entrepreneurs reach for their dreams, you can do so via online by clicking here. 100% of the proceeds will go to Pace University as part of the new “Gurbaksh Chahal Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program.” To learn more about making a donation, you can contact: Christine M. Meola, Pace’s Vice President for Philanthropy, at (212) 346-1095 or email her at cmeola@pace.edu.
As I mentioned in my book, everything starts with a Dream. I was blessed to realize my dreams early on in my life. I’m using every chance I can get in the hopes of enriching the lives of many others that also choose to dream…
Tags: 47th annual leaders in management, award, commercial science, degree, doctorate, dream, fund, gurbaksh chahal, hillary clinton, honorary, indra nooyi, ivan seidenberg, pace university, parents, ph.d, post, program, scholarship
March 9th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Im glad to read this bhaiya, it somewhat generates some sort of energy and motivates.
Ive read alot about you and your achievements, and yes facebook keeps us updated. From the bottom of my heart,You are an inspiration.
Lucks to the more that is in line…
Loadsa love.
Nish
March 9th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
i would like to know more about your career , how you found about making websites when you droped out of high school.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Great! I really enjoyed this blog. I’ve been following you on FB, and you really are a motivating person. I’m an undergrad working on a Degree in English Lit, with a minor in History, and I’ve been finding this semester very hard, but reading your posts keep me motivated to pursue my dream of being a teacher, which is also the dream of my parents.
Hope to see more pieces like this.
March 9th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Its crucial that more examples, more leaders of today, come out and help build our future generation to lead the world into a brighter, innovative, constructive and exciting future. One comprised of successful young minds achieving the American Dream and helping others do the same. One of fulfillment. One of purpose. One of Happyness (The Pursuit of Happyness).
This is the future I am building, as a young mind, and one that I want to share with others. G, appreciate your efforts and let this be an example for every leader( religious, business, or just a team captain of a sports team ) empower the next generation, motivate them, encourage them, support them, teach them, mentor them, guide them, and most of all, share your insights with them.
The world is just another stage awaiting your performance.
Cheers to a brighter, happier and successful future for everyone one of us, no matter age, race, color, belief…We can do it and do it BIG!
“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Best,
Aaron Ray
CEO and Founder
bluetitanium
March 9th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
You are a true inspiration!
March 9th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Hi G! Congratulations on your Honorary Doctorate Degree in Commercial Science from Pace University!!
Thank you for creating the Gurbaksh Chahal Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program!! I will be sure to donate and also will spread the word to family and friends. God bless always.
Best regards,
Brenda
March 9th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
And then about twenty seven years ago God created this wonderful person, and He liked it so much that He decided to put a ring on it. We know him by Gurbaksh Chahal-The King-is now going to be Dr.Chahal.It’s awesome!!! Congrats for this BIG achievement! You definitely deserve it. I think your ‘janampatri’ must have left the astrologer little confused because it was kind of exceptional. Do put the graduation pictures up with the parents and Keep rocking!
P.S. There are a lot of other things to do in life other than producing kids. Canadians are not always right. Now you know me, your crazy fan
March 9th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Congrats for your achievement,
U really deserve it……….
March 10th, 2010 at 1:09 am
I got to know your story through mixergy.com’s interview with you. For those who has not yet known who “G” is, check out his story here: http://mixergy.com/gurbaksh-chahal
March 10th, 2010 at 1:30 am
great..being a doctopr and getting a doctorate degree…almost close..
March 10th, 2010 at 4:06 am
Hi G, congratulation for the honorary doctoral degree.. and many thanks for inspiring me to be brave in making my dream come true…
March 10th, 2010 at 5:39 am
hey ……..thank you so much for writing this blog. The best thing about you is that you love your parents and the ones who work for realising their dreams are sure to achieve success….just as you did. Congratulations… being a doctor….well you set the things right for a lot many people whom you dont even know….thanks for that!!!!!!!!
March 10th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
u r a true inspiration champ!!
i hope i turn out to b as big as u!
my dream is to b an IAS officer n m waitin fr d day wen d President f our country wold send me a letter..
ur blog has boosted me!!
March 10th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Just read your story and really get motivated. Result is the poit! A great result is not enough. Should make it better than great.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:34 am
G your story as told in THE DREAM is indisputably one of the most inspiring stories I have read and this is mostly because it is the story of someone not in some distant past but presently here with us.
I have woken up in the middle of the night more than thice thinking about you and your book and how I could get that book across to many young people like me here in my country. I even thought of holding little workshops where i will expand on some of the secrets in the book, however, I have compiled at least 20 lessons from THE DREAM which I am about to send to i-proclaim soon. It will be my honour if you wish to see the work or make any input before it gets to i-proclaim or other publishers.
Ride on G
Cheers.
March 12th, 2010 at 5:09 am
congrats for being a doctor!
March 13th, 2010 at 2:03 am
truly truly …. motivating………………
March 14th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Hi Gurbaksh,
Many congratulations to you. I am sure your parents are the happiest people on earth. You are truly an inspiration for all of us. I just saw your interview on the Oprah show and was impressed by your accomplishments. What’s amazing is that you are still very down to earth. I just hope that you do not have any more hatred left in your heart for those who treated you badly just because you looked different.I think you are above all of them. So forgive and forget.
keep up the good work.
Cheers,
upasna
March 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
man i have read your comments they are inspiring u have done a great job but your competitotr is on the way lets watch it after 10 years who is more richer and a successful enterpeneur i challange u today when i am nothing a day will come when i will beat your sucess this not my jealousy but my motivation to beat u starts nw………
March 18th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Hello G, i have just read your blog and its truly inspirational.Dreams always come true when the effort is true.Great job done by you.
best regards
March 19th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Hey Gurbaksh,
i knew about u since long and today it struck me all of a sudden i can atleast send u my hello….hahaha….believe me its kinda exciting..u figure first on google if one goes to check the linealogy of chahals…i have my roots in Tarn Taran…….so i am a Tarantula too..hahaha….just love and wishes for u…..Keep Soaring!
March 21st, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Hello,
I finally read your book”The Dream”…it wasn’t intentional did not know or heard much about it but a friend had ordered the book and it got delivered at my place.He did not collect it for sometime so i thought may be i should just read it….and it really made be feel good…i read it at the right time as i was not going through the best of times…but somehow felt somekind of a relief after reading it.It took me jus one day to finish it,and did help me in some ways.My name is Ryma 27/f and i m from India…though my goals and profession does not match yours and whatever you have written in your book,but it surely helped me look at things in a different way, a better way.Thank you