IITian laid off in US tech now sells chai in LA: The Bihari Chaiwala's inspiring journey

• IIT Kharagpur alumnus Prabhakar Prasad, a decade-long tech professional in the US, was laid off in February 2025 amidst widespread industry cuts.
• After facing job rejections, Prasad, originally from Bihar, decided to leverage his family's traditional masala chai recipe to start a new venture.
• He began selling authentic Bihari chai and poha at Los Angeles farmers' markets, quickly gaining popularity and earning the moniker "Bihari Chaiwala of LA."
• Prasad's story, documented on Instagram, highlights his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, offering an alternative path for tech workers facing job uncertainty.
• Despite the hard work, Prasad finds satisfaction in building his own business, free from the fear of layoffs, proving that self-reliance can overcome career setbacks.