Priyanka Tiwari
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With economic instability on the rise in the U.S., Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, shared his personal journey of rebuilding from zero after losing his job during the 2001 dot-com crash.
In a reflective LinkedIn post, Mittal described the emotional impact of his layoff, calling the walk home from his office a “free fall.” Initially blaming the economy and refreshing job boards, he eventually asked himself a life-changing question:
“What would I build if I had nothing left to lose?”
That question led him to take his first steps toward building what would become one of India’s most recognized matrimonial platforms—Shaadi.com.
Starting from Scratch
Mittal emphasized that the journey wasn’t easy. He had:
No savings
No strong professional network
Only a dial-up internet connection
With support from his cousins and a basic concept, he started creating a rough version of what would evolve into Shaadi.com. Mittal believes the key is not waiting for clarity, but gaining it through action:
“Take one step in a direction that excites you—even if you’re scared. And life starts moving again.”
Over 280,000 Federal Layoffs in the U.S.
Mittal’s message comes at a time when the U.S. is experiencing massive layoffs across federal departments. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, more than 280,200 federal workers and contractors have lost jobs over the past two months.
This includes:
Layoffs influenced by Elon Musk
Downsizing led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Over 75,000 workers accepting voluntary buyouts by February 2025
In addition, around 150,000 federal employees retire or resign annually, but the current pace of exits is unusually high, contributing to growing workplace anxiety.
Student Visa Revocations Spark Controversy
Alongside the layoffs, international students are facing visa-related challenges. The Associated Press reports that students from top institutions like Cornell, Arizona State, and University of Texas have had their student visas revoked unexpectedly.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that over 300 visas have been canceled, mostly linked to student protests. He stated:
“We gave you a visa to study, not to become a social activist.”
Critics argue the policy lacks transparency and may violate due process, as student records were deleted without university notification, putting some at risk of arrest or deportation.
A Message of Resilience
As uncertainty mounts in both the job and education sectors, Anupam Mittal’s story stands out as a message of resilience. His journey reminds us that setbacks can be the foundation for new beginnings—if one is willing to take the first step, even without a clear path.
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