Youth Innovation Spotlight: Guntakal Student Sai Saket Lands Rs 5 Crore US Tech Job
Guntakal, Andhra Pradesh – September 24, 2025
In a remarkable feat that has put the small town of Guntakal on the global map, 21-year-old Sai Saket, a final-year B.Tech student in Computer Science, has secured a high-flying software engineering role at a leading Silicon Valley-based technology firm with an annual package of Rs 5 crore (approximately $600,000). The news, which emerged earlier this month, has sparked widespread celebration in Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region, positioning Saket as a beacon of hope for aspiring tech talent from rural India.
From Guntakal to Silicon Valley: A Journey of Grit
Born and raised in Guntakal, a modest railway junction town in Anantapur district, Sai Saket’s journey to a Rs 5 crore job offer is a testament to determination and self-driven learning. The son of Ramesh Kumar, a local government clerk, and Vasavi, a homemaker, Saket grew up in a middle-class household where resources were limited, but ambition was boundless. “We never imagined this day,” said Ramesh, visibly emotional. “Sai would spend hours on our old desktop, teaching himself coding when he was barely 15.”
Saket’s academic excellence was evident early. A consistent topper at his local school, he later joined a reputed engineering college in Anantapur, affiliated with JNTU. Despite the college’s limited infrastructure, Saket leveraged online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LeetCode to master advanced topics in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data structures. His GitHub profile, brimming with contributions to open-source projects, caught the eye of recruiters during a virtual hackathon last year.
The Breakthrough: A Stellar Internship
Saket’s big break came in the summer of 2024, when he landed a 10-week internship with the US tech giant, known for its cutting-edge work in AI and cloud solutions. The internship, which offered a Rs 1 crore stipend, was a competitive program that drew thousands of applicants globally. Tasked with optimizing machine learning algorithms for real-time data processing, Saket’s innovative approach and relentless work ethic stood out. “I was given a problem that seemed impossible at first,” Saket recalled in an exclusive interview. “But I broke it down, collaborated with senior engineers, and delivered a solution that reduced processing time by 30%.”
His performance led to a pre-placement offer (PPO) in August 2024, with a staggering Rs 5 crore annual package – a figure that dwarfs the average US entry-level software engineering salary of $120,000 (Rs 1 crore). Industry experts attribute the premium to the global demand for AI specialists and Saket’s proven ability to tackle complex challenges. “The US tech market is facing a talent shortage, especially in generative AI and sustainable computing,” noted Dr. Priya Sharma, a Bengaluru-based tech analyst. “Saket’s offer reflects his rare blend of skills and innovation.”
A Rayalaseema Moment
The news has electrified Guntakal, a town better known for its railway heritage than tech prowess. At Saket’s alma mater, students and teachers gathered yesterday to celebrate, with banners proclaiming “Guntakal’s Pride.” “Sai was the kid who’d fix our lab computers when they crashed,” said his former professor, Lakshmi Devi. “His success shows what’s possible with dedication.”
Local leaders see Saket’s achievement as a catalyst for change in Rayalaseema, a region often overshadowed by Andhra Pradesh’s coastal hubs. Anantapur District Collector V. Prasanthi called it a “Rayalaseema moment,” urging educational institutions to foster industry-academia partnerships. The state’s ‘Super Six’ development schemes, championed by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, aim to bolster tech education in backward areas, and Saket’s story has become a rallying cry for such initiatives.
Challenges and Inspiration
Saket’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. Limited internet access in Guntakal forced him to rely on mobile hotspots during his early learning years. Financial constraints meant he couldn’t afford premium courses, so he scoured free resources and participated in coding bootcamps. “Failure was my teacher,” he said. “Every bug I fixed, every algorithm I optimized, taught me something new.”
His story comes at a time when India’s youth unemployment rate for graduates stands at 23%, highlighting the scarcity of high-quality opportunities. Yet, Saket’s success underscores the potential of self-learning and global platforms to bridge the gap. “You don’t need a big city or a fancy degree,” he advised. “Code daily, contribute to real projects, and stay curious.”
Looking Ahead
As Saket prepares to relocate to Silicon Valley next month, he remains committed to giving back. He plans to launch virtual coding workshops for rural students, partnering with local NGOs to provide free resources. “Guntakal gave me roots; I want to give others wings,” he said.
The tech community in Andhra Pradesh is buzzing with optimism. “Saket’s achievement is a wake-up call for our education system,” said Ravi Teja, a Hyderabad-based startup founder. “We need more industry-aligned training to produce global talent.” With the state government pushing for tech hubs in Tier-II cities, Saket’s story could inspire a new wave of innovators from unlikely corners.
As he embarks on his new chapter, Saket carries the hopes of a region and a generation. In his own words: “If a boy from Guntakal can make it to Silicon Valley, anyone can. The world is watching – all you need is the courage to code.”
For updates on tech education initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, visit apsches.ap.gov.in. For career resources, explore platforms like LeetCode and GitHub.
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