Abhey Singh, the IIT-educated ascetic who gained attention as ‘IITian Baba’, has spoken about his remarkable 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 opened up about his decision to abandon a promising career in favor of a spiritual path. His interview with CNN News18 earlier this week went viral, leading to widespread speculation about his life choices, especially given his striking appearance: dreadlocked hair and ragged clothes.
In his latest interview, Singh said he lived in Canada for three years, earning an impressive Rs 3 lakh per month, which totals to ₹36 lakh per year. “In terms of INR, I was earning ₹3 lakh per month in Canada. However, the expenses are proportional to it [to your salary]. An apple here will cost ₹50. There it will be sold for ₹200,” Singh explained in Hindi. He moved to Canada in 2019, but left his job to pursue spiritual studies after struggling 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 eventually 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 were arguing),” he admitted. He explained: “When you’ve only seen bad examples, you have no idea how a good relationship actually works. So I had a girlfriend for four years, but the relationship was stuck. I never understood how to get things done.
Singh also spoke candidly about his youthful habits, saying, “I did what any other boy does. I drank, smoked cigarettes and beedis. But I wanted to seek the truth.
When asked about his family, Singh’s response was indicative of his current state of mind: “Nahi. Ab toh sirf Mahadev hai (No, now it’s just 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 several organizations and projects. He founded GreyWall (2014-2017), delivering impactful brand stories for clients like Oyo Rooms. Later, he worked as a communications designer and project manager at Bombay Shaving Company (2017-2019).
After moving to Canada, he worked as a digital/user interface designer at Canadian Tire (2019-2021). His most recent role was at Elite Digital (2022), where he designed mid-fidelity wireframes for web pages.
