Broken Dreams, Unbroken Spirit
Challenges, when embraced with resilience, do not only cause suffering — they teach lessons that shape destinies. Bhim Prasad’s life is a testament to this belief. Born in the small village of Mathiya, 33 kilometers from Kushinagar, Bhim’s early life was marked by modesty and hardship. His father, Ramsevak Prasad, worked as a painter in Bengaluru, where Bhim also grew up. From a young age, the desire to earn his way in life burned within him.
In 11th grade, while juggling studies, Bhim started working as a salesboy at an electronics shop. He wasn’t afraid to try his hand at anything, working at a cab service call center, participating in reality TV shows like Dance India Dance, making it to the finals of Just Dance at the state level, and even selling clothes on the streets. Life was a series of hustles for him, yet it was full of ambition and hope.
But when Bhim graduated with a B.Com degree, the reality of corporate life hit hard. The jobs he took never fit; one struggle followed another, until the pandemic shattered everything. From 2019 to 2021, job opportunities slipped away, leaving him without employment. But Bhim wasn’t one to give up.
“I Will Do Something Big”
As failures mounted, so did the worries of Bhim’s family. His father urged him to take up any small job, settle down, and work with focus. His mother, during mealtime, would often counsel him with care, saying, “You can handle these struggles now, but how will you manage once you have a family to support?” The taunts from outsiders only added to the weight on his shoulders.
Despite the setbacks, Bhim was not bitter. Instead, he gathered all the knowledge he had gained from his experiences and turned it into a plan. He began to map out the skills and demands of companies. He wasn’t grieving over his broken dreams; he was preparing for something bigger.
Building “Equified Placement” from the Ground Up
In 2021, after countless rejections from companies, Bhim decided that the cycle of chasing jobs had to end. He made a bold decision: he would no longer seek employment — he would become a job creator. With this vision in mind, he founded Equified Placement, a company that would bridge the gap between skilled youth and the corporate world.
But the journey wasn’t easy. For two years, Bhim faced rejection after rejection from companies that were unwilling to collaborate with him. Undeterred, he kept pushing forward. By January 2023, Bhim returned to Gorakhpur, where a chance encounter would change everything.
At a local event hosted by the Maa Vaibhavi Trust, Bhim met Ashish, a mentor from Jagriti, an organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. Ashish introduced him to Jagriti’s work, and Bhim immediately knew that this was the guidance he had been searching for. He expressed his desire to join the initiative, sensing a turning point in his journey.
Wind Beneath His Wings
With renewed hope, Bhim applied to Jagriti’s Incubation Program. His company, Equified Placement, was selected for the September 2023 cohort. From that moment, Jagriti stood by him, providing the support he needed at every critical step.
Jagriti connected Bhim with over ten colleges, helping him form partnerships with numerous companies for placements. Today, Equified Placement is tied to more than 25 colleges and over 100 companies. Bhim has successfully placed over 5000 young individuals in jobs, and his company’s annual turnover has reached a remarkable 15 lakhs.
The Vision Forward
Bhim’s next goal is ambitious, but with Jagriti’s mentorship, he says it feels within reach. He is working on launching an app that will revolutionize the placement process. This app will provide students with access to live and recorded classes, real market internships, and job application tools. Companies will benefit from job postings, direct recruitment, and campus selections, while colleges will have facilities for academic data management. To ensure the success of this project, Bhim has enlisted the help of 15 mentors from different departments.
