After spending most of his life avoiding water, Deepak decided in his forties to confront a fear he had carried since childhood. What followed became a journey of personal growth, resilience, and continuous learning.
Growing up in a small town in India, swimming was not a common activity, and Deepak never had the opportunity to learn. Over time, a lack of experience turned into a fear of water. Even as an adult living in Singapore with his family, swimming remained something he avoided.
Everything changed during a visit to one of his son's swimming lessons.
His son was having a difficult day in the pool, and Deepak encouraged him to keep trying. The response he received was unexpected.
"Why don't you do it yourself first?" his son asked.
The question stayed with him.
Shortly afterward, Deepak asked his son to teach him how to swim. Together, they began a learning journey that challenged both of them in new ways.
"It was unusual at first. My son became my teacher. But step by step, I learned not only how to swim, but also how to trust the learning process."
What started as a personal challenge soon revealed lessons that extended far beyond the swimming pool.
"The most important lesson was that good ideas and valuable knowledge are not determined by hierarchy. My son was the teacher, and I was the student. It taught me the importance of remaining open to learning from anyone."
That mindset is something Deepak brings to his work every day at AUMOVIO.
Throughout his career, he has continuously expanded his skills beyond his original responsibilities, teaching himself new technologies, cloud platforms, and software capabilities. Today, he applies that same curiosity and willingness to learn as part of his role supporting the future of mobility.
In a rapidly changing technology landscape shaped by artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity, Deepak believes continuous learning is more important than ever.
"Change can create uncertainty, but curiosity is a better teacher than fear. Those who continue learning and exploring new possibilities can achieve more than they may initially believe."
One moment, in particular, showed him how far he had come. During a family vacation in Thailand, Deepak and his son snorkeled together. Only a few years earlier, the experience would have seemed impossible.
For Deepak, it became proof that long-held fears can be overcome with patience, perseverance, and the willingness to take a first step.
His advice to colleagues and future team members at AUMOVIO is simple:
"Don't be afraid to try something new. Often, it is not the challenge itself that holds us back, but the limits we place on ourselves. Approach new experiences with curiosity, keep learning, and trust that growth begins outside your comfort zone."