KATHMANDU: Sheikh Asif, from Srinagar in Kashmir Valley, was a school dropout who went on to become not only an entrepreneur but also the Founder and CEO of Thames Infotech, a UK-based company.

Asif, being a brilliant student, had to leave his schooling midway due to financial problems. However, he continued to learn about computers while working in different shops in his locality.

To reach this stage, Asif has seen many ups and downs in his life. Asif’s struggle began in the year 2000 when his father fell ill, and his illness remains a mystery to them to date.

These circumstances forced Asif to say goodbye to his educational career and start seeking a job at the age of 15.

Asif is a school dropout. Due to financial problems, he couldn’t continue his studies, but he didn’t give up on his dream of becoming a tech guy.

In 2014 Asif was financially stable enough to set up his own business. But due to the 2014 floods in Kashmir, he was again proved unlucky. “At that point, he gave up for a while, but his family was my biggest motivation.”

Raising awareness about IT studies in India was the main reason for Asif to come back from Manchester, the UK in 2018. Most students prefer medical and non-medical subjects only.

In his first interview, Asif did not get what he desired. He did get a chance to work at Thames Infotech, at a very nominal wage. But he was happy to get an opportunity to display his talent, which later became his interest, and he became the owner of the same company in which he was an employee.

In search of a job in web designing, he started a journey from Kashmir to Delhi and from Delhi to London. After working with a company in London for one month, the company owner didn’t want him anymore. In a state of hopelessness, he wandered the streets of London. It was the same company that was owned by Asif this time.

Asif has received numerous awards and has written three books, “Digitization in Business,” “Start a Business,” and “Online Business Ideas.”Apart from business and classes, Sheikh Asif has conducted many awareness programs about hacking and assisted over 300 businesses and individuals in regaining control of their social media accounts that were hacked.

Sheikh Asif started his first job with a salary of Rs. 1500, and due to his hard work and dedication, he is now the CEO and founder of Thames Infotech, a U.K.-based firm with a valuation of Rs. 5 crores and is earning Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs.

The books are about digitization in business, how to start a business, and 27 online business thoughts, respectively. These books also tell us about digital marketing, how social platforms help us in growing businesses, and why a business should have a website.

One of the books is free of cost and can be ordered from Amazon, which has both E-book format and paperback. “Online Business Ideas,” a booklet Asif has written, is available free of cost on Google Books.

He is also giving free tuition for web designing, digital marketing, and graphics to students, using both online as well as offline mediums for it. Students can reach him directly through the official website of https://sheikhasif.com or his Facebook @sheeikhasif or Instagram @sheiikhaasif to register for the said courses from any country.

Asif has received numerous awards, including “Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 by The Fireboxx Bangalore.” Asif’s name was listed as a Padam Shiri award nominee in 2022.

Raising awareness about IT studies in India was the main reason for Asif to come back from Manchester, the UK in 2018. Most students prefer medical and non-medical subjects only.

“As freelancers, we can work from home and earn a good living, and there will be no time limitations while working.” “This is the beauty of IT studies only,” said Asif while explaining the importance of learning information technology.

He has guided 1000+ plus students so far. But a small percentage of students are from Kashmir.

While Asif’s major source of income is the company he founded in the United Kingdom, he has pledged himself to continue to mentor and teach students for free online.

Due to his hard work and dedication, Asif has become a household name in Kashmir. He is offering free classes in digital marketing, web design, and graphic design.

Asif has received numerous awards, including “Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 by The Fireboxx Bangalore.” Asif’s name was listed as a Padam Shiri award nominee in 2022.