What it takes to get into one of the best colleges in India? (feat. IITian Zeba Karkhanawala)

What it takes to get into one of the best colleges in India? (feat. IITian Zeba Karkhanawala)

In this episode, ⁠Krish Palaniappan⁠ interviews ⁠Zeba Karkhanawala⁠, an AI engineer and master’s student at the University of Maryland. Zeba shares her journey from dreading programming in her early days at IIT Jodhpur to thriving in the AI field. The conversation delves into the challenges of preparing for the IIT entrance exams, the unique concept of dummy schools in India, and the importance of self-discipline and independence in academic success. Zeba’s insights provide a comprehensive look at the rigorous journey of aspiring IIT students and the strategies that can lead to success.

Takeaways

• Zeba discovered her potential for IIT in 9th grade.

• The preparation for IIT is highly competitive and challenging.

• Dummy schools allow students to focus on IIT preparation without regular classes.

• Self-discipline is crucial for success in IIT preparation.

• Zeba’s daily routine included waking up at 5 AM to study.

• The IIT entrance exams require a deep understanding of physics, chemistry, and math.

• Zeba’s journey emphasizes the importance of perseverance and commitment.

• Coaching classes play a significant role in IIT preparation.

• Balancing schoolwork and IIT preparation is essential for success.

• Zeba’s experience highlights the need for independence in academic pursuits.

• The journey to IIT requires immense dedication and effort.

• Self-study is crucial for understanding and retaining concepts.

• Balancing study with personal time is essential for mental health.

• Parental support can influence a student’s academic path.

• The structure of study has evolved, but the challenges remain similar.

• Entertainment and relaxation are important for maintaining focus.

• Students often underestimate the amount of work involved in preparation.

• Peer support can enhance the study experience.

• Preparation for IIT is a common goal among many students.

• The education system is highly competitive, requiring immense dedication.

• Cultural expectations can heavily influence personal choices in education.

• It’s important to recognize personal limits when preparing for competitive exams.

• Listening to your instincts can guide you in making the right choices.

• Taking breaks during intense study is essential for mental health.

• Finding motivation is key to enduring the challenges of competitive exams.

• Small victories should be celebrated to maintain morale during studies.

• The journey of self-discovery is crucial in education and career choices.

• Guilt can manifest when taking breaks, but it’s important to manage it.

• Reflecting on past experiences can provide valuable insights for the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zeba's Journey 03:09 The IIT Experience: Challenges and Triumphs 06:04 Preparation Strategies for IIT 09:07 A Day in the Life of an IIT Aspirant 11:58 The Role of Dummy Schools in IIT Preparation 15:01 Independence and Self-Discipline in Preparation 18:00 Balancing Academics and IIT Preparation 26:12 The Rigorous Journey to IIT 30:06 Understanding the Study Structure 37:11 The Importance of Self-Study 44:12 Balancing Study and Entertainment 49:06 Parental Influence and Personal Motivation 54:18 The Competitive Landscape of Education 57:09 Cultural Expectations and Personal Choices 01:00:01 Recognizing Personal Limits in Competitive Exams 01:05:59 Listening to Your Instincts 01:12:23 The Guilt of Taking Breaks 01:18:43 Finding Your Motivation and Compromises 01:23:35 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Aspirations

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From Product Design to Healthcare Lending: The Entrepreneurial Journey (feat. Sharmeen Aqeel)

From Product Design to Healthcare Lending: The Entrepreneurial Journey (feat. Sharmeen Aqeel)

In the fast-evolving world of medical spas and aesthetic clinics, securing funding is a critical step for growth and sustainability. In this episode of the Snowpal podcast, host Krish Palaniappan speaks with Sharmeen Aqeel, founder of Lyyvora, a lending platform tailored for healthcare businesses. Sharmeen shares her journey, the challenges faced by clinic owners, and how her platform is revolutionizing the lending process for medical spas across North America.

13 Tammi 1h

Oracle, Snowflake, and Datadog: Three Cloud Giants, Three Very Different Stories

Oracle, Snowflake, and Datadog: Three Cloud Giants, Three Very Different Stories

In this finance-focused discussion, we examine three companies that often appear together in conversations about cloud computing and data—but operate in meaningfully different segments of the market: Oracle, Snowflake, and Datadog.

9 Tammi 17min

When User Experience Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Tale for Product Builders

When User Experience Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Tale for Product Builders

In today’s conversations about software, AI, and innovation, it’s easy to forget one critical truth: humans still use the products we build. No matter how powerful the backend or how advanced the algorithms, a poor user experience can render a product nearly unusable.

9 Tammi 23min

Early 2026 Stock Market: Momentum, Volatility, and What Traders Are Watching

Early 2026 Stock Market: Momentum, Volatility, and What Traders Are Watching

The first four trading days of 2026 have delivered exactly what active market participants look for: movement, volume, and clear intraday patterns. While the year is still young, early signals across indices, semiconductors, hyperscalers, and financials are already shaping trader sentiment and short-term strategies .

8 Tammi 18min

What AI Is Forcing Every Founder to Rethink (feat. Suri Nagarajan)

What AI Is Forcing Every Founder to Rethink (feat. Suri Nagarajan)

In this engaging conversation, Krish Palaniappan and Suri Nagarajan delve into the intricacies of investing, particularly in the tech sector versus non-tech industries. They discuss the importance of financial literacy, the risks associated with high-risk investments, and the significance of diversification for new investors. Suri shares insights on industry allocation for a hypothetical $100 investment, emphasizing stable sectors like healthcare and energy. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of markets, the risks of entrepreneurship versus employment, and personal reflections on career choices and cultural opportunities in the US. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passions and the unique educational experiences available in America.

4 Tammi 1h 57min

Happy New Year 2026: The Boring Path to an Interesting Life

Happy New Year 2026: The Boring Path to an Interesting Life

Only take vacations you can afford—debt and relaxation should never meet. If it needs installments and isn’t food or medicine, you don’t need it. Credit card debt is just regret charging interest—kill it first. Don’t enroll in college by muscle memory; 2026 doesn’t care about tradition. If you switch careers, pick a role that actually matters—vibes don’t pay rent. Skipping AI in 2026 is like skipping email in 1999—bold, but stupid. Invest real money if you can, fake money if you can’t, ignorance is not an option. Park far away—walking is free cardio and cheaper than therapy. Eat because you’re hungry, not because the fridge made eye contact. There is no perfect time—there’s only now and a lot of excuses. Build a side hustle so layoffs don’t decide your personality. If every year feels the same, congratulations—you’re on career autopilot. Social media isn’t real life—it’s a heavily filtered lie with Wi-Fi. Comparison kills joy, and titles won’t fix insecurity. Everything important takes longer than promised—welcome to reality. Ignore naysayers—they’re deeply committed to being comfortable. One focused person with AI can now replace a small team—choose wisely. If your car works, keep it—nobody’s impressed by your loan balance. Be selfish enough to protect your time, energy, and sanity. Nothing is saturated—most people just quit early.

2 Tammi 31min

What Paper Trading Teaches You About Risk and Discipline: Practice First, Profit Later

What Paper Trading Teaches You About Risk and Discipline: Practice First, Profit Later

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect, experiment, and learn—especially if you’re interested in investing, trading, or building fintech products. On the final trading day of the year, I spent some time walking through live paper trades using a desktop trading platform, sharing practical insights along the way. This article distills those lessons into a beginner-friendly guide for anyone curious about trading, risk, and tools.

31 Joulu 202534min

Why We’re Building Our Next API in FinTech — And Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

Why We’re Building Our Next API in FinTech — And Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

At Snowpal, we’ve spent years building and running production-grade software products across multiple domains. Most recently, our focus has been on B2B APIs — tools designed to help teams move faster, build reliably, and scale without reinventing the wheel. As we head into 2026, we’re starting work on our next API product. It will begin life as an API, but over time, it will grow into something broader — firmly rooted in the fintech space.

30 Joulu 202514min