Man chats with restaurant manager over dosa, discovers he spent 16 years at ISRO. Here's why he quit

The restaurant manager went on to explain the levels of precision required in his former role.

A short video shared on social media drew significant online attention after it showed a conversation between a restaurant manager and a content creator in which the manager disclosed his previous role as a scientist engineer with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The clip, posted on Instagram, featured the man speaking about his professional journey and explaining why he chose to leave his scientific career after 16 years. According to the individual, the transition was motivated by the intensity of the work he experienced at the space agency.

In the video, he said he had worked at ISROfor 16 years before resigning. He described his former position as highly demanding, particularly in the area of satellite assembly where minimal deviation could have significant consequences.

“I was earlier at ISRO. I worked there as a scientist engineer. I worked there for 16 years, then I left,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure there, satellite assembly has very high pressure. The tolerance is 0.001. Just to assemble one full part, there are 10 parts."

He went on to explain the levels of precision required in his former role. “One strand of hair has a thickness of about 0.004, around 4 microns. We have to do assembly with a tolerance of 1 micron. If even one hair falls inside after two parts are assembled, it becomes 5 microns. That level of accuracy is needed,” he said.

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The former engineer said that the nature of the work left him seeking a less stressful environment. He said the shift to managing a restaurant had provided him with greater calm and satisfaction.

“There is no pressure here, I feel relaxed. Later, I will join again,” he said, indicating that his current role offered him a period of respite from constant stress.

The man also recounted that he had an opportunity to work in the United States, but the chance did not materialise due to a clerical issue relating to his initials. “There was one chance in the US. My initials are KG, Shrikant KG. It became AG there, so there was a small issue,” he said.

The video prompted wide comment on social media, with many users reacting to his disclosures about career shift and workplace stress.

One user wrote: “He seems very chill and relaxed with his decision and future. He worked so hard for so many years for our country, decided to take a break, joined a completely different job than his previous one, and is looking forward to getting better opportunities. Kind of script you can pull when you are confident about your skills and expertise.”

Another commented: “It’s not payment. Its the level of stress some people leave? I have seen this in NASA, too. He just wants to relax now.”

A third reaction read: “Positive thought from this conversation is 'you can switch career at any point or from any designation for Mental Peace' rather than worrying.”

Another user said: “I met him when I was in Trivandrum, he is the most humble and Sweet man ever, and he serves people at all costs, a well-mannered guy.”

In response to the volume of commentary, the content creator who uploaded the video clarified that the former ISRO employee had not criticised the organisation. The creator stated that the man had only described the rigorous nature of the work and had not accused the space agency of being underpaying or unjust.

The creator also emphasised that career changes are common and that individuals should be free to describe their own experiences. He added that the former engineer’s story could serve as an encouraging example for younger professionals. Finally, he said the video was not political in content, nor intended to reflect on government policy.