Doglapan

01Refugee Roots

Ashneer Grover's story isn't just about the glitz and glam of start-up success; it's rooted in a history that's as rich as it is tumultuous. His family's journey began with his grandparents, who, like many others, were uprooted from their home in Multan, Pakistan, during the chaos of Partition. They made their way to Delhi, where they started anew, and this chapter of their lives is something Ashneer reflects on with a mix of pride and nostalgia. In 2003, Ashneer found himself at the sharp end of a word that carried a lot of weight—refugee. It was tossed around by his future in-laws, not just as a descriptor but as a subtle dig at his social standing. They saw him as a service-class Punjabi guy trying to marry into their business-class Baniya Jain family. But Ashneer didn't let that label define him. Instead, he focused on his own path, which led him through top-notch schools and into a career that many would envy. The family's story is anchored in a place called 'Nabbe Bees,' the home that grew from a 200-guz plot in Malviya Nagar, a refugee colony. It's where Ashneer grew up, surrounded by the tales of his grandmother about their once vast lands in Multan. Despite the hardships they faced, the family's spirit never wavered, and their memories of home remained a source of strength. There's a touch of the mystical in Ashneer's family history, too. His grandmother was once told she'd have five sons, just like the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. And while they didn't go as far as to name them after the epic's characters, the family did grow to include five boys and two girls, adding a layer of legend to their lineage. Life in the Grover household was always a hive of activity. With Ashneer's grandparents being the eldest, their home naturally became the hub for family events. It was a stark contrast to the privacy his cousins enjoyed, but it also meant that the family bond was incredibly strong. Even when they lived apart for a short while, the separation was too much to bear, leading them to buy a new property just to bring everyone back together. Ashneer's grandfather, Shri Nand Lal Grover, was a pillar of the community, setting up the Arya Samaj of Malviya Nagar and a primary school. The family's approach to life was open-minded, and while Ashneer himself grew up mostly atheist, he can't help but see the influence of those traditions and blessings in his own success, like with his company BharatPe, which, by a twist of fate, started right next to the Arya Samaj. The entrepreneurial spirit was kindled early in Ashneer, with memories of his father's chartered accountancy firm and the responsibilities he took on even as a youngster. His mother and maternal grandfather also left a lasting impression, instilling in him the importance of education and broadening one's horizons. Ashneer's schooling at Apeejay in Sheikh Sarai, Delhi, was another formative chapter. It was a place where social divides existed but could be bridged, as he recalls during the release of the film "Platform." The school was a launchpad for many successful careers, and Ashneer, too, found himself in the spotlight, albeit unexpectedly, on television. In essence, Ashneer Grover's journey is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of his family. From the upheaval of Partition to the challenges of blending different social backgrounds, his story is a reminder that where we come from shapes us, but it's where we're going that defines us.