Rajesh Takyar was born in 1955 in Jalandhar, India. Later, he moved to Delhi with his parents, where he grew up in New Delhi, navigating the challenges of life with resilience.
His childhood was filled with joy and memorable experiences. While pursuing his B.Com (Pass) degree from Delhi University, Rajesh worked to support himself, a reflection of his determination and strong work ethic. He often remarks, “Without the joy of childhood, life loses its charm. And as we grow, unexpected challenges arise, but one day you realize that unless you take charge, life may slip away.”
In 1999, when computers first arrived in India, Rajesh purchased his first computer. His son was 16 years old at the time. Rajesh fondly recalls how the person who sold them the computer left late at night, promising to return in the morning to explain its functions. However, through determination and curiosity, Rajesh and his son not only learned how to operate the computer overnight but also wrote their first software in the dot-net language. The next morning, the seller was astonished by their accomplishment. It was then that Rajesh and his son decided to one day start their own computer company, although they knew challenges would lie ahead.
In 2006, Rajesh and his son Shitij launched a private company, LeewayHertz, with the goal of creating an innovative 'Car Safety Lock System'. Rajesh’s passion for staying ahead in technology and innovation has been a driving force since childhood.
In June 2007, Shitij moved to the United States with the aim of advancing the company. During this time, Rajesh’s daughter Manvi was handling sales for the company. In the U.S., Shitij met Bhatia, co-founder of InstallShield, who provided crucial guidance for the company's growth. By January 2008, the company was relaunched as LeewayHertz, with a focus on developing mobile applications.
In 2017, Rajesh began working on a new venture: designing a tea machine that would make tea just like the traditional boiled tea made at home. Shitij transformed this idea into a 'tea robot'. At the 'IoT India Expo' in March 2018, held at Pragati Maidan, Delhi, they showcased the 'Hiarya Tea Robot' under their other company, 'HiArya'. The media covered this groundbreaking invention widely, and shortly thereafter, the rights to manufacture and distribute this tea robot were secured by the world’s largest tea manufacturer.
LeewayHertz, which began with just Rajesh and Shitij, grew steadily and now has over 100+ global customer base. Recently, the company was acquired by a public listed company. Rajesh views this success as the culmination of years of perseverance and dedication, emphasizing that nothing is possible without both hard work and divine grace. Reflecting on his life, he says, “I didn’t get here by avoiding struggles, but by facing them head-on.”
Today, Rajesh dedicates his time to improving Wikipedia pages, reading spiritual texts such as the Puranas, Vedas, and other scriptures, and writing his own books. His first book, Inventing Dreams, is available in both Hindi and English. His second book, Krishan Ek Satyagyan, will be released soon. Rajesh is deeply fulfilled and proud of his children.
* names are changed for privacy purposes.