Meet Maathavan, our VP- Architecture, whose mantra is to never stop learning. With varied interests ranging from agriculture to technology, Maathavan is well-known in M2P for analytical thinking and humble nature. Read on to know more about him and what drives him to be his best at work every day.
What happens in your typical day at M2P?
When I get inside the office, the first thing I do is clean and reorganize my workspace. The level of cleaning often depends on my mood and the time I reach the office. Once the cleaning is done, I start working as per the list I had already drawn up the previous day. While all this happens, I also take a little break to brainstorm and discuss new and existing projects with my colleagues. Often these Eureka ideas happen at the Mulberry tea shop, which is our favorite place to regroup and chat about our plan of action. Those discussions have sometimes gone for two or three hours at a stretch.
Have you always wanted to be a developer?
No, not exactly; I wanted to be in so many professions just like every other kid out there. But when I saw my dad, I wanted to be an architect who designs impressive buildings, but in school, I had an aptitude for solving problems. So even though I wanted to opt for Civil Engineering, the popular choice at home was Electronics and Communication Engineering. I also wanted to learn the CORE STEM of Electrical or Computers, so it was a comfortable choice. Soon, software development became my cup of tea, and today I am a Solutions Architect.
If you had your heart set on being a developer, how did fintech become a part of it?
Working in the fintech industry happened purely by chance, and I didn’t exactly have any thoughts about which industry I should make my mark. Then, as a fresher, I got an opportunity to work with FSS, where I was exposed to both closed and open-source platform projects that helped me master many software languages. So my learning has been huge in this industry, along with opportunities as well. And then, as they say, the rest is history.
What drew you to M2P?
I was working in the gaming industry for some time, but I lacked the drive to be my best during that time. So, I was actively searching for opportunities to be part of the fintech industry again. And as per tradition, we usually turn to our friends when we face professional troubles. Those conversations led my friend to introduce me to Muthu, our CTO. After an insightful discussion, I found out that my thought process had found a match with M2P. It has been a great ride till now.
Has COVID altered your working style?
Yes, it has tremendously, and I think like everything else, there are two sides to a coin. I am enjoying the flexibility of choosing my work hours. I also get to spend time with my family and often attend team calls with my little helper (son). But I do miss my co-workers and our interactions. We would brainstorm, discuss and argue about our ideas, solutions, and the next step. It was also fun. I want to get back to physical work as soon as possible (laughs)
Do you see any change in the fintech code community pre and post-pandemic?
Yes, there has been a significant change. Earlier, people were not so trusting with a card, UPI, or NFC payments. With COVID on the rise, people were willing to try out different payment methods. For example, there has been a massive increase in online shopping today, so it creates a demand for payment gateway and other allied services; it is sort of a ripple effect that creates a need for innovative means of payment and so on. In fact, fintech is moving way faster than it was before the pandemic.
Have you played a practical joke in college?
Nothing much in college, but I did have my share of fun in school. It was my friend’s birthday, and we were celebrating it at another’s friend home, which was near our school. Incidentally, it was the day of our final exams. So, when the whole school was diligently writing exams, we were busy partying. Needless we got caught in the act by our principal, who suspended us for a day. Like these, there are many instances of us playing hooky in school.
What’s that one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I used to write poems during my school and college days
What are your other interests?
I love to go on treks, solving puzzles, and play chess and shuttle. Also, I am a hard-core foodie who loves to taste a variety of cuisines.
What will you love to build/develop in case you have unlimited resources and time?
It is more of a thought process rather than an idea. I would like to explore different ideas like multistoried farming, different techniques of farming, and devise ways to create a self-sustaining energy source.
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