
Aditya Bansal, a 17-year-old JEE aspirant in 2021, contacted entrepreneur and podcaster Raj Shamani with a Twitter thread based on one of his videos. Shamani responded within hours, offering him paid writing…
Aditya Bansal, a 17-year-old JEE aspirant in 2021, contacted entrepreneur and podcaster Raj Shamani with a Twitter thread based on one of his videos. Shamani responded within hours, offering him paid writing work despite Bansal having no degree or professional experience.

Bansal later earned Rs 1 crore by age 22 through freelance work, crediting Shamani's testimonial for helping him secure his first retainer client. He has since worked with more than 45 founders.
The story mirrors a growing trend where creator-driven platforms bypass traditional credential gates. Unlike conventional internships, which typically require college enrolment, Shamani offered Bansal payment via Amazon gift cards since the teenager had no bank account. This highlights how informal digital mentorships can accelerate income for young Indians, though the model remains unregulated and rare. Bansal's case also underscores the risk: he pursued independent work through periods with no clients, a path most JEE aspirants would avoid.
Source: livemint.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.