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A tale of twins at Cognizant: Ramanathan and Lakshmanan

two men standing together in front of a wood wall

If you’ve ever walked into the Cognizant Chennai office and thought that you’re seeing double, chances are you’ve met us. We’re Ramanathan and Lakshmanan—identical twins who somehow ended up working at the same company, in the same business unit. No, it wasn’t planned. It just happened. And honestly? We’re loving every moment and still laugh about this incredible coincidence. Here’s how it all began.

One company, two journeys in sync

We both graduated in 2022 with a degree in Computer Science Engineering from the same college. We received multiple job offers and coincidentally, we both chose Cognizant and started our internship in March. Those six months were a turning point that helped solidify our desire to join the tech industry. It gave us the skills and confidence needed to move our careers forward.  

One of our favorite memories is from the technical interview. We were part of the COVID batch, so our interviews happened online. Ram went first, and I joined the call right after he finished. The interviewer looked puzzled and said, “Why are you joining again? Your interview is already done.” I smiled and told him, “That was my brother, we’re twins.” He burst out laughing and so did we.

“We didn’t plan this or even dream of it. But sometimes, the best stories start with a coincidence.”

Similar faces, different worlds

a group of people standing on grass
With colleagues during a team outing

People often assume that being twins means being alike in every way, but the truth is we’re more different than most siblings. While we work on the same technology for the same client, our roles, opinions and personalities couldn’t be more distinct—and that’s what makes it fun. Ram is expressive, adventurous and usually tied up in meetings. I’m more reserved, organized and curious about learning new things. Even our approach to work varies, which sometimes sparks disagreements, but it’s always balanced by mutual respect.

The twin advantage at work

a group of people posing for a photo
With colleagues during lunch break

The transition from interns to full-time employees was smooth, mostly because I started with my brother. Working with your twin is like having a built-in support system. When you realize someone always has your back at work, it makes a difference. We often consult each other and share suggestions. We even teamed up during Vibe Coding Week and worked on an AI-powered solution that reflected our shared passion for technology.

At the end of the day, being twins isn’t about being the same. It’s about complementing each other. And in a workplace that thrives on collaboration, that’s a real advantage.

Rapid fire questions 

Before we end, here’s a peek into the life of a twin: 

  • Who’s older? Ram, by five minutes 

  • Do people mistake you both? Quite a lot. Whether it’s at the cafeteria, in queues or during meetings, people are often puzzled when they see us together. 

  • Does your family also mistake you? Our mother and sister can tell us apart, but our father still gets confused. 

  • Do you share common hobbies? No, our tastes are quite different. 

  • Do you share clothes and accessories? Yes, often. We’ve grown up sharing everything—shirts, headphones, shoes—you name it. 

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