Washington, D.C., USA: Born in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and raised across Bhopal and Mumbai, Sandesh Sharda’s life story spans continents—from modest beginnings in India to boardrooms and business ventures in the United States.
When Sharda arrived at New York’s JFK Airport in December 1994, he had little besides a British MBA degree, a few belongings, and a fierce belief that hard work would open doors. What greeted him that winter night—clean avenues, orderly traffic, and glowing streetlights—left a lifelong impression.
“I understood that day why these nations had led the world,” he recalls. “Their discipline, their honesty toward work, even the way police officers conducted themselves—it was inspiring.”
That realisation sparked what became a three-decade-long pursuit of excellence—from his early years in India to the forefront of America’s tech and government contracting sectors.
Building the Entrepreneur
After earning his MBA in the U.K., Sharda immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1990s under the newly launched H-1B visa program. His first major break came at Oracle Corporation, where he worked on implementing enterprise software systems.
“I was lucky to start when H-1B was still new,” he says. “That was my real foundation.”
However, corporate life didn’t contain his entrepreneurial drive for long. In 1997, he launched CyberProposal.com, one of the early matrimonial platforms for the Indian diaspora. “We had nearly a million users,” he notes. “But I quickly learned that scaling responsibly is harder than building technology.”
Encouraged by clients at the U.S. Department of Transportation who admired his work ethic, he started his own company, Miracle Systems, in 2003. Over the next two decades, it became a leading federal contractor serving agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, State Department, U.S. Army, and Air Force.
By 2023, Miracle Systems had secured contracts worth over $2.8 billion. Later that year, Sharda sold the firm to a private equity group—marking a milestone few immigrant entrepreneurs achieve.
The Investor and Innovator
Financial success didn’t signal retirement for Sharda. Instead, he ventured into diverse investments across the U.S.
“I can’t sit idle,” he laughs. “Some people travel or meditate. I build things.”
In North Carolina, he purchased the Rivers Edge Golf Course in Shallotte and developed a 74-townhome community nearby. In California, he backed Azure Printed Homes, a startup producing 3D-printed modular houses.
His creative side found expression in film production—co-producing Paro, a movie shedding light on the grim reality of child brides in northern India. “It’s a story that needed to be told,” he says. “At this stage in life, social impact means more to me than financial gain.”
He also created IdeaBaaz, a TV show where aspiring entrepreneurs from India pitch ideas in their regional languages—from Marathi to Tamil—before investors. “We don’t ridicule anyone,” he explains. “We guide, mentor, and bring them back stronger. That’s true encouragement.”
The Humanitarian Vision
Among his many ventures, Sharda holds one project closest to his heart: Golden Youg, a senior-living community being developed in India. Spanning 16 acres, the project features walking trails, hydroponic farms, and a temple—designed to offer elders both comfort and dignity.
“The pandemic showed us how vulnerable our seniors are,” he says. “They’re living libraries of wisdom. We’ve built IITs and IIMs, but not enough spaces that honour our parents.”
For Sharda, legacy is defined not by wealth, but by goodwill. “After a point, money loses meaning,” he reflects. “What matters is the positive impact you create. Be kind—because the world mirrors what you give.”
Family, Faith, and Resilience
Pride fills his voice when he speaks of his children. His son, an antitrust attorney in New York, investigates corporate fraud and price-fixing cases. His daughter, part of Amazon’s digital marketing team, recently led a cross-border payments project for India.
“They don’t want to be known as the businessman’s kids,” he says. “They’re carving their own journeys. That’s what every parent should hope for—guidance, not shortcuts.”
Sharda credits his achievements to faith and divine guidance. “Whatever I’ve achieved is because of God’s grace,” he says. “If someone with limited skills like me can do this, anyone can.”
Behind his calm exterior lies a story of personal struggle. His divorce, he admits, was the hardest phase of his life. “People assume the man is always at fault. But sometimes, life is just complicated. I never wanted it, but I learned to move forward.”
He turned pain into purpose—focusing on building, investing, and staying “positively occupied.” As he puts it, “Negativity fades when you keep faith. Truth eventually shows who you really are.”
Carrying the Indian Identity
Despite decades in the U.S., Sharda remains deeply rooted in his Indian identity. “When we live abroad, we represent our country,” he asserts. “One person’s mistake reflects on millions.”
He recalls instances where minor wrongdoings tarnished the image of the Indian diaspora. “A woman stealing something from a store—it’s not about the dollar amount. It’s about reputation,” he emphasises.
His message to younger Indian Americans is clear: “Be proud of who you are. You come from a civilization over 5,000 years old. Speak up in politics, business, and social causes—carry our heritage with pride.”
The Legacy Continues
Now in his fifties, Sharda balances ambition with reflection. His focus has shifted toward creating jobs, building connections, and inspiring young minds.
“I never planned this journey,” he admits. “I simply worked hard, stayed honest, and trusted God. Now, it’s time to give back.”
As he glances around his Washington-area home, surrounded by family photos and memories, he smiles.
“My professional journey belongs to America,” he says. “But emotionally—India will always be a hundred, and America fifty.”
