“Earned Rs 3 lakh per month in Canada…”: Viral IITian Baba at Mahakumbh on his journey from business to spirituality

Abhey Singh, the IIT-educated ascetic who grabbed attention as ‘IITian Baba’, opened up about his extraordinary life journey, revealing unexpected details about his past in a recent interview with ‘Headlines India ” during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Singh, who studied aerospace engineering at IIT Bombay, shocked many viewers when he discussed his decision to abandon a promising career in favor of a spiritual path. Her interview with CNN News18 earlier this week went viral, leading to widespread speculation about her life choices, especially given her striking appearance – dreadlocked hair and tattered clothes.

In his latest interview, Singh shared that he lived in Canada for three years, earning an impressive Rs 3 lakh per month, which totals ₹ 36 lakh a year. “In terms of INR, I earn ₹ 3 lakh per month in Canada. However, expenses there are proportionate (to your salary). An apple here will cost ₹ 50. There it will sell for ₹ 200,” Singh explained in Hindi. He moved to Canada in 2019, but left work to pursue spirituality after dealing with depression and a desire for deeper meaning in life.

Reflecting on his past relationships, Singh revealed that he dated a girlfriend for four years but lost faith in marriage due to the tumultuous relationship between his parents. “Shaadi se mujhe darr lagta tha. Mere ghar pe parents ladaai karte the (I was afraid of marriage. My parents had fought),” he admitted. He elaborated: “When you only see bad examples, you have no idea how a good relationship works. So I had a girlfriend for four years, but the relationship was blocked. I never understood how to move forward.”

Singh also candidly discussed his youthful habits, saying, “I did what any other kid does. I drank, I smoked cigarettes and beedis. But I had a desire to seek the truth.”

When asked about his family, Singh’s reply spoke of his current state of mind: “Nahi. Ab toh sirf Mahadev hai (No, now it is only Mahadev).

Who is Abhey Singh?

Abhey Singh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (2008-2012) and a Master’s degree in Design and Visual Communications (2013-2015), both from IIT Bombay.

From 2014 to 2022, Abhey contributed to many organizations and projects. He founded GreyWall (2014-2017), delivering impactful brand storytelling for clients such as Oyo Rooms. Later, he worked as a Communication Designer and Project Manager at Bombay Shaving Company (2017-2019).

Moving to Canada, he worked as a Digital / UI Designer at Canadian Tire (2019-2021). His most recent role was at Elite Digital (2022), where he designed mid-fidelity wireframes for web pages.