India, June 6 -- In a rare and candid conversation, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai opened up about his childhood in India, offering a glimpse into the everyday struggles and simple joys that sparked his lifelong fascination with technology. Speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Pichai recounted experiences from his early years growing up in Chennai, then known as Madras, that continue to shape his worldview and leadership approach today.

Pichai reflected on a time when basic services were scarce, and the idea of instant access to information was unthinkable.

"There was a five-year waiting list. And we got a rotary telephone. But it dramatically changed our lives," he recalled. "You know, people would come to our house to make call...