By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
Abhishek Reddy, a man from Andhra Pradesh, had quit his job at a prominent Hyderabad start-up to come to the peaceful forests of Manali to start farming. The 25-year-old had planned his life out in two parts. He wanted to work till he was 35 and then take an early retirement and partake in his bucket list thereafter.
However, life took an unexpected turn, and Abhishek gave up the ₹1.5 crore per annum job to settle in Obulapuram village near Pamidi town. He ran a farm with his mother and sister, and the 25-year-old was living his best life. He told reporters that his “Life is bindaas”. He became the symbol for all the corporate employees who had dreamed of living a life filled with solitude, happiness, and freedom.
The Grounded Beginnings of a Dream
His journey began not in these cool heights but in the scorching heat of Andhra Pradesh, on a five‑acre stretch of red clay that he painstakingly turned into a permaculture sanctuary. That land was never just soil and seed, it was a dream, a refuge, and ultimately, a teacher who showed him the cost of chasing peace alone.
Before the pine‑scented mornings of Manali, before the first furrow split the earth, there was the urgency of the city. “I started working when I was still in school,” the 25-year-old recalls. “By Class 12, I was making ₹30,000 a month freelancing in graphic design and copywriting. College was not a part of the plan as I was already building a career,” he tells The Better India.
He laughs at the memory of those teenage years, single‑handedly picking up skills like design, animation, and marketing, until he resembled “a one‑man agency,” juggling multiple roles. That hustle propelled him to a creative director post by the age of 21, with a salary few could fathom.
Embracing Permaculture & Sustainability
After quitting his high-paying tech job, Abhishek Reddy began a soul-searching journey that led him to the hills of Manali. Disillusioned by the corporate grind and craving a deeper connection with life, he explored alternative lifestyles and stumbled upon permaculture. Captivated by its principles of working with nature rather than against it, Abhishek decided to commit to sustainable living. He purchased a small piece of land in Manali and began transforming it into a self-sustaining farm. With no prior farming experience, he learned through hands-on work, online resources, and guidance from local farmers. The shift wasn’t easy, but it was deeply rewarding.
Abhishek Reddy has now moved to Manali
Abhishek’s move to Manali wasn’t just about farming — it was about finding a sense of belonging he never felt in the corporate world. The quiet rhythm of nature, the support of the local community, and the joy of growing his own food brought him a deeper fulfillment than any paycheck ever had. Through daily tasks like sowing seeds, tending to soil, and sharing meals with neighbors, he rediscovered connection — to the land, to people, and to himself. For Abhishek, success is no longer measured in numbers, but in peace, purpose, and presence.
The Better India reached out to the idol of ‘corporate slaves’ and found out that he is now residing in the dense forests of Manali. He learnt the principles of permaculture (A design system for creating sustainable human settlements and agricultural systems by mimicking natural ecosystems), and implemented them to build a farm healthy enough for the environment. He made layers in the farm with tall canopy trees and produced fruits like mangoes, guava, and jackfruit
Abhishek’s success on Instagram brought him two new disciples to his place in Manali. One is an artist from Kerala, Ponni M Nath, and another is his 38-year-old friend, Rency. Ponni M Nath told The Better India about how Abhishek truly cares about the ecosystem and works diligently to build a sustainable future for everyone.
She said, “He approaches farming as an art form, blending intuition with science. I spent the day learning about permaculture principles, how every plant, every section of the land, is part of a carefully balanced ecosystem. He walked slowly among the crops, adjusting branches with care and even talking to the plants, as if each one had its own story to tell. And the meal he prepared for me, made entirely from produce grown on the farm, was the freshest and most delicious I have ever tasted”.
Future Plans & Vision
Looking ahead, Abhishek envisions turning his Manali farm into a learning hub and retreat space focused on sustainable living and community building. He plans to host workshops on permaculture, natural building, composting, and mindful living — creating a space where people can disconnect from urban chaos and reconnect with nature. He also aims to collaborate with local farmers, promoting regenerative practices and rural entrepreneurship. Abhishek dreams of building a self-sufficient ecosystem that inspires others to live with intention, care for the earth, and find fulfillment beyond material success.
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