A stickler for cleanliness? How about you go the new-age way and de-clutter in a swoosh by just a swipe? Well, that’s exactly what 24-year-old Bengalurean Ramkrishna Iyengar aims to help you with — through Passito, a recently conjured up free-cycling venture, which aids the underprivileged by making them the recipients of products you’ve bought on a whim —absolutely free of cost! The enterprising youngster, who’s creating a wave with his ‘giving back’ concept, tells us more.
“Almost everyone has stuff they bought, but don’t use any longer. But it is pointless to throw away stuff so many people would skip the hassle and let it lie around. I wanted to change that and enable the needy to procure products that would de clutter your surroundings and make difference to them,” shares Ramakrishna, who’s recent venture aims to bring the concept of free cycling to the masses.
“The idea is for people to donate on one end and help struggling organisations to receive item donations on the other end all for free. The team does pick up and delivery of products without levying charges for the same.”
A graduate in computer science from KLE college, Rajajinagar; Ramakrishna says,“Right from the time I enrolled for masters, I knew I’d be setting something up,” And sticking to the decision meant leaving college mid-way. “At 19, when you’re all fired up to do something, you try to make things work. I began with a chemicals importing firm which didn’t take off. But the biggest takeaway from the entire episode was my realisation of being immune to adversities.”
Five years from then, and he’s pursuing his calling. Speaking about how conservation was always on his mind, he chimes, “I organise tree planting and clean up drives among local communities in the city. I am also working on a project that helps grow edible mushrooms out of coffee waste.”
The entrepreneur, who also moonlights as a graphic designer, tells us how he indulges his other passions. “I love creating awareness about free-cycling whenever I can. But when I’m not doing that, you’d find me online gaming rather competitively, hiking, travelling, gardening and playing the guitar,” he enthuses.
Barely six months ahead, the youngster is stoked about how the idea is going great guns – with over 10,000 monthly views and 3000, registered and active users.
“To me, it’s all about bringing about a difference by being realistic and meaningful. The idea was to help NGO’s, orphanages, old age homes in the city to benefit from a process, which anyone with an internet access could do,” he adds.
