My name is Ikbal, and while my daily life involves working in a private firm in the bustling Saudi port city of Jeddah, my true passion lies in the vast, ever-evolving world of the internet and computer technology. My journey is one of continuous learning, turning downtime into digital output, and transforming a childhood curiosity into a thriving online enterprise.
Roots in the Green Heart of Kerala
I was born in 1980 in the village of Oorakam, nestled in the Malappuram district of Kerala, India. Oorakam is a place blessed with natural beauty—rivers, hills, and lush green valleys—and my childhood was spent immersed in this idyllic setting, surrounded by the warmth of a large joint family filled with uncles and cousins.
Our family's background was primarily farming, though this began to shift during my youth. I still cherish memories of that period, from tending to cows to the excitement of honey bee hunting. Ten years before my birth, my father started a small local shop, and three of my uncles ventured to the Gulf for employment.
A significant mentor and source of deep sadness in my life was my uncle, Mohammed. He was a clerk at a university, later took a long sabbatical, and spent eight years working in the Gulf. His unexpected death, just two years after settling back in India, was a profound tragedy for me and my family.
Education and Early Ambitions
My school years at GMLP School and PMSA UP School in Karathode were memorable. I completed my matriculation at DUHS Panakkad. During this time, I met my literary-minded friend, David Matthew. I became deeply involved with him and his brother in creative activities, including producing written magazines and various art forms. My daily habit was reading Malayalam children's magazines like Balarama and Balamangalam.
While I was an average student until the 7th grade, my performance dipped in high school, and I completed my metriculation with 49%. I then attended MAS College Malappuram for my intermediate studies but, unfortunately, could not complete my education.
This era, marking the end of the last century, was defined by my passion for correspondence. I had a habit of writing letters to radio stations and magazines, which led to me collecting a vast network of pen friends, as internet access was non-existent in our area.
💻 The Digital Awakening (1998–2002)
My first encounter with computing came via a desktop computer purchased for my uncle's home—an older model used primarily for movies and games.
In 2000, I enrolled in a small computer course but couldn't complete it due to my commitments as a salesman for my cousin's distribution agency. This period also saw the launch of internet cafes in the nearest city, Malappuram. My friend Umarali and I became regular visitors, eagerly learning the basics of email and web surfing.
In 2002, I moved to Saudi Arabia. Initially, my connection to computers was severed. It wasn't until later that I resumed visiting internet cafes and started learning the basics again. During my first vacation home in 2005, I joined a mobile phone technician course at Malappuram Idea. Although I never worked in that field, the course ignited a flood of knowledge and new ideas about the internet, computers, and mobile technology.
The Turning Point: Guru and Entrepreneurship
The real change came in 2006. I fulfilled my dream of owning a computer, dedicating two months' salary to purchase a Pentium 4 desktop. This computer became my "guru." I taught myself the fundamentals of photo and video editing, using my free time to practice new techniques and even taking on small projects for my friends' studio.
My professional entry into the internet world happened in 2010 with the creation of my first website, superjumblo.com. I bought the domain and hosting from Cochin Web Hosting with virtually no prior knowledge of website creation. I learned through implementation:
Superjumblo.com: A successful internet calling service provider site. I integrated leading payment gateways like PayPal, CashU, and One Card. I utilized my nascent image and video editing skills to create content, a YouTube channel, and a Facebook page for the site.
Automation: By 2012, I implemented an automated register and credit purchase system, with the programming work done by Hani, an 18-year-old programmer from Syria. I later expanded with a mobile site and an Arabic section, with content translation help from my friend and colleague, Dr. Eid.
📈 The Google Adsense & Affiliate Success
Near the end of 2010, I tentatively applied for the Google Adsense program. To my surprise, Google approved the application, and I began implementing advertisements on Superjumblo.
This success led me to a new venture. I purchased the domain rechargevoip.com, moved to a new hosting provider, and launched a site detailing various internet calling providers. This site quickly gained traction, and I began receiving consistent payments from Google Adsense.
My learning didn't stop there. I dove into Affiliate Marketing and Email Marketing, efforts that also proved successful, generating additional income from affiliate sites.
In 2013, I secured the wonderful domain ikbal.in and launched a personal website and YouTube channel.
The Present and The Future
Today, I am a working professional in Jeddah, but my passion remains tethered to the digital world. My leisure time is a focused investment in learning and creating online. This dedication has materialized into multiple successful websites and has opened doors to working with others on their online projects. These continuous efforts not only update my technological knowledge but are actively helping to improve my financial standing.
I believe there is still so much more I can achieve in the internet and online sphere, knowing that like any field, success demands even greater dedication and focus.
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