My parents were concerned that I would not get good schooling, so they put me up in my uncle's house in Dharwad, and I spent about six years there. So at a very young age, I was away from my parents. I developed an amount of independence and learned to stand on my own feet.

In this quote, Nandan Nilekani reflects on a pivotal moment in his childhood when his parents made the decision to send him away to his uncle's house in Dharwad for better education. His parents were concerned about his academic development, and by relocating him, they hoped to provide him with an opportunity for a more robust schooling experience. This action demonstrates their belief in the importance of education as a foundation for success.

The experience of being away from his parents at a young age was formative for Nilekani. It forced him to develop independence and learn how to stand on his own feet. This sense of autonomy likely shaped his character and gave him the strength to navigate challenges later in life, both personally and professionally. Independence in this context refers not just to physical separation from his family, but to the emotional and psychological growth that came with it.

Nilekani’s statement also touches on how adversity and distance from family can foster resilience. At a young age, he learned to rely on his own judgment and problem-solving abilities, key aspects of his later success as a business leader and entrepreneur. The time he spent away helped him gain self-reliance, a trait that likely influenced his approach to leading large-scale initiatives like Aadhaar.

Overall, Nilekani credits this period of his life as a crucial turning point in the development of his character and leadership abilities. The independence he gained through living away from his family helped shape the mindset that propelled him to his later achievements in the world of technology and public service.