mercari-headless-db, Author at Mercari India

July 1, 2025

Learning, Networking, and Showcasing at Kubernetes Community Days Bengaluru 2025

On June 7, 2025, Bengaluru played host to one of the most exciting events of the year for anyone passionate about Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies—Kubernetes Community Days Bengaluru 2025 (KCD Bengaluru 2025). Held at the Radisson Blu, Outer Ring Road, the event brought together a diverse mix of developers, DevOps engineers, cloud architects, and open-source contributors. It was a day filled with insightful sessions, inspiring keynotes, and the opportunity to connect with the vibrant Kubernetes community. For me and my colleagues from TnS India, attending KCD Bengaluru 2025 was an unforgettable experience. We were thrilled to immerse ourselves in a day dedicated to learning more about Kubernetes best practices, tools, innovations, and the challenges being tackled by the global cloud-native community. The event not only helped us deepen our understanding of Kubernetes but also gave us the chance to share Mercari’s journey and connect with professionals who are just as excited about cloud-native technology as we are. Kickoff With Inspiring Keynotes The event opened with a warm welcome from Humble Devassy Chirammal, Principal Engineer at VMware and a well-known Kubernetes maintainer. His emphasis on building a collaborative and innovative Kubernetes community set the tone for what turned out to be a truly engaging and thoughtful day. The keynote sessions were some of my favorite moments of the event. Each one highlighted the progress Kubernetes has made so far while giving a glimpse into its future. A few keynotes that stood out: ● Daniel Krook from CNCF shared a deep dive into the evolution of Kubernetes in 10 Years of CNCF and Cloud Native’s Next Decade. His stories about challenges and growth within the community were insightful and relatable. ● Ashish Hanwadikar from Kloudfuse brought observability front and center in his talk, From Prompt to Pod: Observability Across the AI… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-india/learning-networking-and-showcasing-at-kubernetes-community-days-bengaluru-2025/">Continue reading Learning, Networking, and Showcasing at Kubernetes Community Days Bengaluru 2025</a>

June 19, 2025

Inside the FIDO Alliance Meetup: 100+ Experts, 50+ Orgs, and Mercari on the Panel, Rooparsh

Event Name: FIDO Alliance India Working Group (FIWG) Member Meetup and Workshop Attendee: Over 100 participants representing 50+ organizations, hosted at the Google Ananta office in Bengaluru. On Friday, 6 June 2025, I had the privilege of attending the FIDO India Working Group (FIWG) meetup as a panelist representing Mercari. The event brought together pioneers, thought leaders, and technologists to discuss the progress and future of FIDO-based authentication. Hosted at the Google Ananta office, the event wasn’t just an exchange of technical insights but also a collaborative space to ideate a passwordless future. The discussions centered around the challenges of traditional authentication mechanisms involving passwords and OTPs and how FIDO’s innovative framework can streamline authentication while bolstering security. The event saw impressive contributions from companies like Google, Zoho, Times Internet, Mastercard, and VinCSS, further showcasing how FIDO standards are being applied to a wide array of industries, including IoT.With over 100 participants from 50+ organizations, the energy was palpable, enhanced by Google’s cutting-edge venue and delightful food. Key Takeaways: Transitioning to Passkeys: Times Internet shared their hands-on journey of migrating from passwords to passkeys, highlighting technical obstacles as well as their solutions to make user adoption seamless. Hearing about their significant improvements in both user experience and security was an important learning experience for all. Zoho’s Impactful Solutions: Zoho presented their FIDO-compliant solutions, which are aiding numerous IT companies in enhancing authentication experiences. Their insights showcased how FIDO standards can deliver both security and usability in enterprise settings. Mastercard & RBI Collaboration: Mastercard unveiled their ambitious plans to roll out passkey authentication solutions in partnership with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The room was buzzing with excitement over how these upcoming changes could transform authentication systems in India, particularly in the financial sector. IoT with Passkeys (VinCSS): A standout… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/uncategorized/inside-the-fido-alliance-meetup-100-experts-50-orgs-and-mercari-on-the-panel-rooparsh/">Continue reading Inside the FIDO Alliance Meetup: 100+ Experts, 50+ Orgs, and Mercari on the Panel, Rooparsh</a>

June 17, 2025

Building Bridges: Introducing Our GOP team!

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation. Let’s dive in and get to know them better with the team. Meet Taichi NAKASHIMA Taichi joined Mercari Japan in 2017 as an SRE. At that time, the organization was growing rapidly, which led to a slowdown in development speed. To address this, the team decided to migrate Mercari’s monolithic architecture running on an on-premise environment to a microservices architecture on the cloud. Taichi formed a platform engineering team to build a cloud-native platform that would make it easier for developers to run these microservices. Over time, he served as Technical Lead, Engineering Manager, and Director, driving the growth of the platform that now supports various businesses within Mercari. In 2024, he became the VP of Cross-Border Engineering and began leading efforts to build a global foundation that enables Mercari to expand its business internationally. Mercari India: As you lay the foundation for this new team, what are the key qualities or mindsets you’re looking for in engineers who will drive both localization and scalability for diverse global markets? Taichi: Our engineering team defines a set of Tenets that guide each member in making decisions, and one of these is “Design for Two.” This principle ensures that every system is designed to support at least two countries or regions from the start. If a system is built on this foundation, it becomes much easier to expand to a third or fourth market — for example, if it already supports two languages, adding another is much simpler. Engineers who join this team must have the capability and foresight to design systems with future flexibility in mind.… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/careers/building-bridges-introducing-our-gop-team/">Continue reading Building Bridges: Introducing Our GOP team!</a>

June 17, 2025

Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Smriti and Jesuine at Mercari India

Welcome to Two Sides of the Desk, a blog series where we share the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of interns and their mentors. This blog explores the dynamic relationship between mentor and mentee, offering insights from both sides of the desk. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor, a budding intern, or simply curious about the mentorship journey, our stories and reflections aim to inspire, educate, and foster a deeper understanding of this transformative partnership. Mentor: Smriti Singhal Designation: HR- Mercari India How do you approach balancing guidance and autonomy for your interns to ensure they’re both learning and contributing meaningfully to projects? My approach has always been to create a balance between structure and space. I made sure she had clarity on expectations, but I didn’t micromanage. I allowed her to explore, make mistakes, and come back with questions even if it was the same question twice. I believe real learning happens when someone feels safe enough to try, fail, and ask again. That space helped her grow, and over time, she not only delivered with consistency and confidence, but also began taking full ownership of her work with remarkable attention to detail and accountability At the same time, I also make it clear that the freedom I offer shouldn’t be taken for granted. With autonomy comes responsibility. I try to instill that balance of being self-driven but also accountable so she understands that trust is something we build and maintain together. The goal for me is always to make someone confident in their own voice, not just efficient in a task. Can you provide an example of a particularly challenging situation you’ve encountered while mentoring an intern, and how you navigated it to ensure their growth and success? When Jesuine first joined, she came across as quite introverted and found… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/uncategorized/two-sides-of-a-desk/">Continue reading Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Smriti and Jesuine at Mercari India</a>

May 9, 2025

From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories ft. Aashutosh Agrawal

When I first heard that Mercari was coming to our campus, I was excited but also a little nervous. It felt like a huge opportunity — and looking back now, I realize it was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far. The Beginning: Placement Journey The process kicked off with an Online Assessment (OA) consisting of two medium-level DSA questions. It tested not just speed but also our ability to think critically under pressure. After clearing the OA, I had my technical interview with Rajat, where we discussed coding approaches, problem-solving techniques, and a few OS and computer science fundamentals. What stood out was how the conversation was more collaborative than a “grill” session. Next was the managerial round with Atif, where the focus shifted towards understanding my motivations, how I work in teams, and cultural fit. It was refreshing to have an open, honest conversation rather than just technical questions. Finally, I remember the day I received the confirmation letter — a mix of relief, excitement, and pride. It was the start of something new. Day 1: A Warm Welcome The first day at Mercari was truly special. From being welcomed with a thoughtfully curated goodies kit to meeting fellow interns and full-time employees during the onboarding, everything felt smooth and personal. The highlight was the team dinner later in the evening — good food, casual chats, and laughter with people who, until a few hours ago, were complete strangers. January: Settling In, Learning the Foundations, and a Special Cricket Memory January was all about getting familiar with Mercari’s world and setting a strong foundation. We started with our common onboarding sessions — diving into essential tools like GitHub, Confluence, Slack, JIRA, understanding Mercari’s overall architecture, and exploring key repositories. These sessions were packed with valuable insights… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/intern-series/from-day-1-to-day-100-at-mercari-a-journey-of-growth-and-memories/">Continue reading From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories ft. Aashutosh Agrawal</a>

March 19, 2025

My Work Trip to Japan: Insights, Observations & Key Takeaways

At the end of January 2025, my colleagues from the XB Supply team and I finally visited Mercari’s Tokyo office after collaborating remotely with the Japan team for nearly six months. For two of us, including myself, it was our first visit to the Tokyo office after being at Mercari for over 1.5 years, while others had visited before. It was a great opportunity to move beyond Slack profiles and Google Meet headshots and connect with our past and present colleagues in person. Work, Strategy & Strengthening Collaboration The primary purpose of our trip was to participate in business strategy and feature planning for the year, focusing on XB (Cross Border) Supply. Another key objective was to strengthen collaboration by meeting colleagues from various teams working on the XB Supply mission, as well as frequent collaborators like the Shops(B2C) team. Building trust, improving communication, and fostering openness were crucial as we transitioned into the “Back to Startup” phase. In a startup environment, strong personal connections and close collaboration are essential. During our visit, we had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with several key teams, including the XB Supply product team, business development, design, analytics, marketing, and executives. We also connected casually over lunch with other XB engineers. A major highlight was a high-level OKR discussion with the entire Shops division, followed by a dinner with some of the Shops team members. One of the key moments of the trip was a full-day workshop where the XB Supply JP and IN teams came together to brainstorm ideas for the initiative. I also had the chance to reconnect with colleagues from my previous teams (Team Orion and LTVG). Beyond these meetings, it was insightful to physically attend the XB All-Hands and Japan All-Hands, experiencing the energy and alignment in person. I… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/my-work-trip-to-japan-insights-observations-key-takeaways/">Continue reading My Work Trip to Japan: Insights, Observations & Key Takeaways</a>

February 24, 2025

Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal! Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges. Building Cross-Functional Collaboration When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections. We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?” Maintaining Team Motivation Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/inside-the-managers-mind-gaurav-bansal/">Continue reading Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal</a>

January 31, 2025

Celebrating Togetherness: Mercari India’s First Family Day

At Mercari India, we believe our strength lies not only in our innovative spirit and commitment to excellence but also in the strong bonds we share as a team. This belief was beautifully celebrated during our first-ever Family Day, a heartwarming and fun-filled event that brought our work family and real families together. In the fast-paced corporate world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, often leading to stress and burnout. Family Day serves as a refreshing reminder of the importance of work-life balance. It acknowledges the incredible support systems behind each of our team members and celebrates the holistic approach to professional success. The event was brimming with joy, laughter, and a plethora of activities designed to engage everyone, from the youngest family members to the seasoned professionals. There were games, music, delicious food, and an overall atmosphere of camaraderie and togetherness. This day was not just about having fun; it was about strengthening the bonds that make Mercari India a close-knit community. In today’s corporate landscape, the emphasis on productivity and results can sometimes overshadow the human aspect of our work environment. Family Day is a powerful counterbalance to this trend. It allows employees to unwind, connect with their colleagues on a personal level, and recharge their spirits. This, in turn, enhances job satisfaction, boosts morale, and ultimately leads to increased productivity. Following in the footsteps of our HQ, Mercari Japan, we are dedicated to creating a work culture that values both professional excellence and personal well-being. As we reflect on the success of our first Family Day, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible team and their families who made this day unforgettable. We look forward to many more such celebrations as we continue to foster a work culture that values both professional… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/celebrating-togetherness-mercari-indias-first-family-day-2/">Continue reading Celebrating Togetherness: Mercari India’s First Family Day</a>

January 9, 2025

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation.Let’s dive in and get to know them better with the Engineering Manager – Atif Shaik Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for the Cross Border team? Atif: We’re one of the teams building the next big thing at Mercari, so our days are packed with energy and purpose. We start with a quick sync to catch up on where everyone is with their tasks and anything exciting (or challenging) from the day before. After that, we often have discussions with our product manager and maybe a few other team members to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we’re on the same page, we dive deep into focused work—building the core pieces of our new app. It’s pretty intense, but knowing we’re building something global makes it super rewarding. Mercari India: Tell us more about the engineers you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Atif: We’re looking for a passionate folks to join us—a true enthusiast who’s excited by the idea of building for a global audience. It’s fast-paced here, but if you love learning quickly and tackling fresh challenges, you’ll fit right in. We’re after someone who doesn’t just think about the tech; we want someone who has a real appreciation for the product and the experience we’re delivering to people. It’s not just about code; it’s about crafting something people will love using. Mercari India: How does your team collaborate and what tools or methods do you use to stay connected and productive? Atif: Slack is our… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-cross-border-team/">Continue reading Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team</a>

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Author: mercari-headless-db