"A Little Shameless": How One Bored IITian Turned Instagram Into a Life-Changing Social Experiment
In the startup world, founder stories often revolve around pitch decks, pivots, and funding rounds. But sometimes, a powerful journey starts with something as simple as being bored at home — and doing something a little shameless.
Meet Harsh Pokharna, IIT Kanpur graduate and CEO of Bengaluru-based fintech company OkCredit, who recently gave the internet a rare dose of authenticity.
🏡 A Break From Bengaluru, A New Beginning in Jaipur
During a 1.5-month break back in his hometown Jaipur, Harsh found himself slipping into a familiar funk. While his parents were overjoyed to have him home, he admitted to feeling a bit... lost.
So, instead of scrolling endlessly or zoning out on Netflix, Harsh did what most wouldn't: he took to Instagram and posted a story inviting people to hang out.
“I became a little shameless on Instagram,” he said.
What followed was an unintentional social experiment — and it changed his perspective on life and connection.
☕ Conversations That Mattered (And Some That Were Just Fun)
Harsh ended up meeting someone new almost every day — sometimes old friends, sometimes complete strangers who responded to his story or sent him a DM.
There were no agendas, no formal events. Just coffee, food, walks, and raw, real conversations.
Some were silly and playful — about dating apps, food, or startup gossip. Others ran deeper — touching on therapy, breakups, ambition, and the emotional toll of modern life.
And the best part? None of it was forced.
📲 Not Networking, Just Being Human
In Harsh’s own words, this wasn’t about building a network or pitching a new product. It was about being human, something we often forget in our hyper-curated digital lives.
His experience was like Bumble for friends, minus the swiping and awkward bios. Instead, it was about organic interaction, shared laughs, vulnerability, and creating space for real connection in a city he thought he already knew.
💡 The Takeaway: Be a Little Shameless
The most powerful message Harsh sends is simple:
Sometimes, all it takes to get out of a rut is a bit of shamelessness, a dose of spontaneity, and the courage to say: “Hey, want to meet up?”
We often chase productivity and professional milestones, but moments like these — unfiltered, unplanned, and purely human — are what we remember the most.
Harsh didn’t brand it, monetize it, or turn it into a movement. He just lived it — and that made all the difference.
📌 Source:
Original story by The Economic Times - Panache
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article is AI-generated for storytelling and informational purposes, based on publicly available sources. The views and experiences are attributed to Harsh Pokharna via the original publication.
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