From Doubt to Pride: How a Former Microsoft Employee Found Validation at Sarvam AI

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Career decisions in the technology sector often come with uncertainty, especially when they involve leaving the security of a global corporation for the unpredictability of a startup. For one former employee of Microsoft, that leap of faith not only reshaped his professional journey but also transformed his parents’ skepticism into pride.

Harveen Singh Chadha, who left Microsoft nearly ten months ago to join Indian artificial intelligence startup Sarvam AI, recently shared a heartfelt account of his family’s reaction following the India AI Impact Summit 2026. His story has resonated widely online, capturing both the emotional dimension of career risk-taking and the growing recognition of India’s homegrown AI innovation.

A Risky Career Move

Leaving a prestigious multinational company like Microsoft is not a decision most professionals — or their families — take lightly. For many Indian households, a stable job at a globally recognized corporation represents success, security, and social standing. When Chadha decided to leave Microsoft and join a relatively young AI startup, his parents were not pleased.

The concerns were understandable. Startups, especially in cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, carry inherent risks. Funding uncertainties, competitive pressures, and evolving technologies make them unpredictable workplaces. To Chadha’s parents, the move likely appeared as a step away from stability into uncertainty.

Yet for Chadha, the decision was about belief — belief in India’s AI potential and in Sarvam AI’s mission to build foundational models tailored to the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

The Turning Point: India AI Impact Summit 2026

The shift in his parents’ perspective came after the recently concluded India AI Impact Summit 2026, held in Delhi. The summit brought together global policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its societal implications.

At the event, Sarvam AI unveiled two large language models: Sarvam 30B and Sarvam 105B. These models are designed specifically to address India’s linguistic diversity and cultural contexts — a crucial differentiator in a country with hundreds of languages and dialects.

Unlike many AI systems trained predominantly on Western datasets, Sarvam’s models aim to build AI that understands Indian languages, idioms, and socio-cultural nuances. This localization effort positions the startup at the forefront of India’s AI ambitions.

The company’s work drew significant attention at the summit, earning praise from industry leaders. Among them was Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, who commended the initiative to build local AI models tailored to India’s needs. Such recognition amplified Sarvam AI’s visibility and credibility on a national and global stage.

From Concern to Celebration

When Chadha returned home after the summit, he encountered a different atmosphere. Instead of concern, he found pride.

In his social media post, he shared how his father showed him recordings from news channels and newspaper mentions that featured Sarvam AI. His mother, meanwhile, had been enthusiastically promoting the company in WhatsApp groups and among neighbors.

What had once seemed like a risky decision now appeared visionary. The same move that caused anxiety months earlier had become a source of family pride. Chadha described the moment as a “small win,” acknowledging that while the recognition was gratifying, the journey ahead remains long.

His story struck a chord online, garnering lakhs of views and widespread engagement. Many users congratulated him and his team, celebrating both the technological achievement and the emotional milestone of winning parental approval.

Public Response and Constructive Feedback

Beyond congratulations, some users shared their experiences with Sarvam’s Indus platform. One user expressed pride in having used the platform throughout the day, applauding the team’s efforts in building an indigenous AI solution.

Others offered constructive feedback. Some noted that the platform currently allows sign-up only through Google accounts, suggesting that email-based registration would make it more accessible. Another observation was the absence of a conventional chat interface commonly seen in other large language models. Instead, Sarvam’s interface emphasizes language-based speech features, which, while innovative, may require user adaptation.

This blend of praise and feedback reflects the dynamic nature of startup growth — recognition brings visibility, and visibility brings scrutiny. For a young AI company, both are essential for refinement and progress.

A Broader Reflection on India’s AI Moment

Chadha’s story is not merely about one employee or one startup. It symbolizes a broader shift in India’s technology narrative. For years, India has been known primarily as a global IT services hub. Today, it is increasingly positioning itself as a creator of foundational AI technologies.

Building large language models like Sarvam 30B and 105B signals ambition. These are not incremental tools but foundational systems that can power applications across governance, education, healthcare, and enterprise sectors — particularly in regional languages.

The emotional arc of Chadha’s journey mirrors the national transition. Just as his parents moved from doubt to pride, India’s perception of its own technological capabilities is evolving. What once seemed like an audacious aspiration — competing in frontier AI — is gradually becoming a credible reality.

The Human Side of Innovation

At its heart, this episode underscores an often-overlooked truth: innovation is deeply personal. Behind every technological milestone are individuals who take risks, navigate uncertainty, and seek validation — not just from the market, but from their families.

In emerging technology sectors, career choices can challenge conventional expectations. But as Chadha’s experience shows, recognition has the power to reshape perceptions.

Sarvam AI’s spotlight at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 represents more than a corporate achievement. It stands as a testament to India’s growing AI ecosystem and a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful victories are the ones celebrated at home.