In 1990, we were not allowed to touch the computer in our computer lab. The machines were expensive, rare and mysterious. Our teacher worried we might damage them. Instead of learning on actual computers, we drew keyboards and monitors on paper. That was our practical session.

Back then, access to technology was not common. Curiosity existed, talent existed but opportunity did not. Today, in 2026, we run a ₹100 crore tech and AI company.

Curiosity Was Never the Problem

People usually speak about success as if it is entirely self-made. Hard work and discipline absolutely matters. But there is another truth we rarely discuss openly. That is, many people never get the chance to begin at the right time.

Back then, my friends and I were deeply curious about computers. We waited all week for that one computer class. We wanted to explore, experiment and understand how these machines worked. But curiosity without access can only go so far.

I only truly started learning when my father bought a computer home with his hard-earned money. Even then, learning was difficult. There was no YouTube or no structured tutorials. Learning meant trial and error. And still, compared to many others around us, we were fortunate because at least eventually, we got access.

When people study successful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, they often focus on brilliance, ambition or vision. But one crucial detail is mostly overlooked. He had early access. As a teenager in 1968, Bill Gates gained access to computer systems at a time when most people in the world had never even seen one. That early exposure changed everything. It allowed him to build confidence, skill and familiarity years ahead of others. This also does not reduce his talent or achievements. But it shows that success is not created by talent alone. Opportunity multiplies talent. Timing accelerates it and access unlocks it.

The Invisible Advantage

Many successful people genuinely believe they earned everything entirely on their own. But behind some of the most success stories are invisible advantages like early exposure, access to tools, mentorship and financial support. These advantages are not always obvious, especially to the people who benefited from them.

If two children are equally intelligent but only one gets access to technology, guidance and opportunity early in life, their futures may look completely different not because one deserved success more but because one got a head start.

Millions of equally capable people never get the same environment. Some catch up later in life and some don’t.

Thus, timing plays a bigger role in success than most people realise. Timing influences what skills become valuable, what opportunities appear and how quickly someone can learn. This is why two equally hardworking people can achieve vastly different results depending on when and where they start. It is not always fair but it is real, and understanding this should not discourage people. Instead, it should make us more thoughtful, empathetic and responsible.

The Kids We Are Still Ignoring

Today, technology is more accessible than ever before. A smartphone now has more computing power than the systems we dreamed about touching in school. AI tools can teach programming, design, writing and business in less time. Information is no longer locked inside libraries or expensive institutions. Even then inequality still exists.

Some children grow up surrounded by laptops, fast internet and supportive learning environments. Others still struggle with poor connectivity, limited devices, lack of guidance and financial pressure.

There are millions of children today who are just as curious as we were in 1990. Some of them may become extraordinary innovators if given the right opportunity. Some may never discover their own potential because the moment never arrives. That possibility should concern all of us.

The rise of artificial intelligence makes this conversation even more urgent. AI is becoming the core technology of this generation. The children who gain access to AI tools today will be shaping industries tomorrow. But what happens to those who are excluded? History may repeat itself. The gap between those with access and those without access could grow even wider.

That is why businesses, educators, governments and technology leaders have a responsibility beyond profit. We must create environments where curiosity is supported early.

Building More Open Doors

One of the most meaningful things successful people can do is reduce the barriers they once faced themselves. Sometimes that means mentoring students, sharing knowledge openly and encouraging experimentation. These small opportunities can change their entire lives.

A single computer changed mine not magically but enough to open a path that did not exist before. Today, when I see students experimenting with AI, building apps, or learning online at a young age, I feel hopeful seeing how advanced they are.

As a leader today in a health tech company, I feel that success is not only about what someone did correctly. It is also about whether life allowed them to begin early enough to find their true potential. That understanding will make us feel less arrogant about our own achievements and more committed to creating opportunities for others because somewhere today, there is a child drawing a keyboard on paper, waiting for a chance to bring changes. And what happens next may depend entirely on whether someone opens the door.

What are your thoughts on this?