BOT VFX is entering a new phase of growth—scaling across projects, teams, and ambitions. With this expansion comes the need for sharper alignment, stronger decision-making, and a culture that can evolve alongside the business. To support this transition, we convened Momentum 2025, a leadership offsite designed to reflect on the journey so far, recalibrate priorities, and prepare for what lies ahead.
At its core, Momentum 2025 focused on strengthening leadership capability, shaping the company vision, reinforcing culture, and creating clarity around the organisation’s next chapter. The offsite created space for leaders to step back from execution, examine how decisions are made, and align on how BOT VFX continues to grow—intentionally and sustainably.
Understanding Change: The Human and the System
The opening session was led by Smitha Choudhary, Professor and Head of Department at FLAME University. Her full-day workshop on organizational behavior and change management blended theory, real-world case studies, and hands-on application—tailored specifically to BOT VFX’s evolving business landscape.
Through discussions, role plays, and industry examples, leaders explored not just the mechanics of change, but the human experience behind it. The session reinforced a critical insight: meaningful change does not come from process alone. It happens when intent, culture, and leadership mindset are aligned—when decisions are precise, and leadership remains empathetic to the people driving execution.
Leadership from Within
Alongside the external workshop, BOT VFX leaders led focused discussions across critical areas of the business, grounding strategy in real operational contexts.
Discipline of Getting Things Done led by Hitesh Shah
Why Vision Matters by Sreyans Bardia
Culture Code by Deepak Bohra
Finance Acumen Led by Vipul Mehta
Six Sigma and Process Excellence sessions led by Sheeba Joy and Anoop AK
Aligning for What’s Ahead
The offsite also included collaborative sessions with Executive Producers, who shared approaches to problem-solving and process deconstruction across teams. These conversations helped bridge strategic intent with on-ground execution, fostering stronger cross-functional alignment.
Momentum 2025 concluded with leadership alignment on BOT 2026 OKRs, ensuring that future goals, execution priorities, and the organisation’s evolving identity move forward together.
Moving Forward with Clarity and Intent
Momentum 2025 was about clarity, shared language, and leadership readiness. As BOT VFX looks toward its next phase of growth and the launch of its new identity, the retreat reinforced a core belief: strong execution starts with aligned leaders, a clear vision, and a culture that scales with intent—built on collaboration and powered by value.
It’s International Women’s day on March 8th, and most of us will pay homage to or profess our solidarity with the gender too often under-appreciated and under-valued. We will speak of our desire to achieve equality for women in all forms, from the opportunities they are afforded, to the pay they earn, to the respect they receive from men, organizations, and society as a whole. Most of us will do this with unquestionably sincere intent.
Then, as we have done before, unwittingly, we will continue with a common practice that undermines those gender equality intentions. Our day-to-day language will be littered with presumptions encased in a few small words: he and him. “If a lead has performed well, he should be …”. “An artist should always strive to build his …”. Now it’s not so much the presence of these words but the absence of alternatives where our great gender bias lies. Conversational language, or even deliberate written language, can reveal to us our own ingrained biases, even if such biases are inconsistent with our conscious values.
Failure to acknowledge the possibility of women in a role seems like a very small social infraction. And indeed it is small. It is small in its single form, but unbearably heavy when repeated by many over hundreds and thousands of times in the course of a day, week, month, and year. A drop of water cannot reshape a rock, but a waterfall over time can. By being less mindful in our communication, we unconsciously reinforce through repetition the very notion we may consciously find unacceptable. We begin to subtly reinforce that only men can be VFX artists, however preposterous that may sound when we say it out loud.
Mindfulness, not Forced Remediation
We may not mean to, but many of us violate gender inclusiveness in our language. Most startlingly, some of these infractions are by women themselves. When referring to artists or managers generically, some women will themselves use he. So is this a social ill we have to remediate through a mass re-education campaign? Do we stare down violators and call in the cancel culture police? No. Our own desire to be better at this is far more powerful than waging a guilt war. Since most of us already have the conscious intent to be more equitable, we’re better off with our own individual efforts to be more mindful in our communications. We can seek each other’s help in catching ourselves when our language falls out of line with our values. We can catch ourselves when we are adding undue weight through absent words.
Women are an integral and crucial part of the BOT VFX workforce. And to see more and more talent in what has been a quintessentially male-dominated industry for a while now, is always a point of pride for us. At BOT, women not only add to the culture and output, but also are the driving force in many ways.
So, what better time than International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month to celebrate them and get a glimpse into their journey? We spoke to a few women at BOT. Here’s what they had to say!
A Feeling Of Personal Pride
It’s a special moment for all of us when women choose to enter the arena of VFX. BOT’s favourite RJ and Prep Artist “Radio Girl” Sharmila J shares, “It feels like I’ve achieved something great! Especially when I see my name in the credits of my favorite movies and series!” And it suffices to say, that pride is rightly earned.
In general, there’s always a sense of curiosity about what compels an individual to choose a field as creatively exciting and demanding as VFX. We asked Matchmove Artist Reshma C what lured her into this industry. “I have always been curious about the VFX industry and what goes on behind the screens of cinematic works. That got my interest,” she tells us. And did she experience any roadblocks in this journey? Reshma grins, “This industry is not just about men. If you’re a woman and have the interest and curiosity, you can achieve and live your passion every day!”
And what’s it like living your passion every day at BOT VFX? Production Superstar Simran Jain chimes in, “BOT VFX is my first experience in the industry, and it’s been amazing! The culture is welcoming, friendly and above all, inspiring.” HR Executive Ramya K beams with pride over the women at BOT: “I love hearing their excitement about the opportunity to work on shows like The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, Captain Marvel, Stranger Things … the list is endless!”
Real Roadblocks
There is still much work to be done in terms of a broader work culture at the big picture level in the industry, to make this an equitable environment for women. When we asked the team about the challenges they faced, they had poignant points to make. Matchmove and Rotomation Trainer Neetu R tells us, “I have been in the industry for 13 years, and I would be lying if I said my gender hasn’t impacted my career. Being a woman, we are automatically expected to care for our jobs AND our family. But I am grateful that BOT continues to create a seamless and empowering work culture.” HR Jr. Executive Kamna Bohra confirms this company culture: “BOT is a place that has always treated each of us equally, irrespective of gender.”
Our Admin Supergirl Divya C believes in not giving heed to the naysayers. “Discrimination comes from within, and I don’t believe in giving it any space.”
For the Love of the Game…
Despite the challenges, these ladies continued to persist and stayed true to their goal. What is it about VFX that pushed them to stick to their goals? Talent Management Exec Vinitha M echoes the general sentiment of her contemporaries, “Creativity. My earliest memory of VFX was when BOT came to our college to train us on VFX. Since then there has been no looking back.”
HR Executive Muhil Vahini bubbles over with her answer: “Excitement! Now when I’m watching movies, I’m in on the secrets of how it’s done. It feels out of this world!” Senior Prep Artist Rinki R adds, “I came for the thrill of working on Hollywood films, and I stayed for the amazing highs my work brings me every day.”
One may not easily equate working in VFX with empowerment, but Roto Artist Sangeetha D gives us a beautiful insight, “This industry has made me feel very liberating and independent about myself.” “That is one reason I never want to stop being a woman in VFX!” chimes in Prep Artist Suman Prajapati.
It’s not all about seeing one’s name in the credits roll of Hollywood films. For some, the joy and satisfaction comes from watching others work. Especially for Head of HR Shashwati Chowdhury, who says, “From my background as an Academic Head, nothing compares to the pride I feel seeing my students get credits in the movies they work so hard on. Now at BOT, I’m thrilled to see our teams doing amazing work. They make the impossible to be possible!”
BOT: Where Empowerment is in the DNA
At BOT VFX, empowering women to shatter glass ceilings and be masters of their own destiny isn’t an annual event. It’s an everyday thing, practiced until it’s a part of every team member’s DNA. This can be seen from the way the team has each other’s back. Swetha Madapuri, one of BOT’s Associate Producers muses, “It’s really amazing to see how far women have come in this industry. Personally, I owe it to Sreyans, Hetal, and Nirshid for showing me how to be a BOT superwoman!”
As BOT’s first female hire at the company’s start in 2008, VFX Executive Producer Hetal Jainhas watched over the years as quiet, demure women on staff have blossomed into strong, outspoken leaders making significant contributions. “I’ve seen this shift more and more as we’re watching strong female characters like Rey Skywalker and Wonder Woman on the screen, and knowing that Patty Jenkins and other really great women directors are at the helm of successful shows,” she observes. “It really does inspire us to reach further in the industry, especially in a field where men have stepped up first.”
Roto Artist Shenbagavalli M started as an intern in the roto department at BOT five years ago: “I came in with a fresh new mind, with no idea about how far I could go. BOT let me learn from early mistakes as a stepping stone into success as a VFX artist. Now I know I’ll never stop learning!” Production Coordinator Nandhini R’s path at BOT has taken her from her start also as a roto intern, through serving as a Roto Artist, and then moving into the production side. She’s proud to be a BOT, and she hopes to inspire more women to explore the world of VFX, saying, “The challenges of this industry are so exciting! There’s always something new to grow into, technical and artistic skills to conquer. There’s never a dull moment.”
The Next Frontier
Executive Admin Ruth Holleman gives smart advice to our ladies, “VFX is a very creative environment where women can shine, drawing on their capacities to be expressive, to observe many factors at the same time, and to manage outcomes efficiently. I see these female strengths as a set of advantages that the male-dominated VFX industry would do well to cultivate.”
VFX Executive Producer Camille Geier echoes the sentiment and adds, “I wholly agree that the best should get hired. Many times the best is a woman, but preconceived notions about a woman’s family responsibilities can get in the way. The reality is that a lot of times, women work harder because they are so good at juggling so many things. I hope to see more hiring managers let go of those falsehoods.”
Hetal affirms that BOT’s award-winning HR team is at the forefront of this issue of being supportive of women entering VFX. “BOT’s company leaders have opened these doors by recognizing women’s strengths, and by not hesitating to put them in strong positions,” she points out, “and our BOT women have been proving the wisdom of this approach with their excellence on the job.” She observes further, “The greatest strides in the industry so far have been with putting women in producer roles. The next frontier is to hire more women VFX artists, and then support their moving up to become supes and leads.”
And to that we say a loud and resounding, “Amen!” Happy Women’s Day and Women’s History Month to all the women at BOT and around the world, too!
Celebrating the Women of BOT
Visit BOT’s LinkedIn page for a video tribute to a parent’s aspiration and encouragement for their daughter to challenge, to dream and to achieve more, beautifully woven together with words, visuals, and music: Celebrating Women’s Day with Sand Art by BOT Swadesh Ranjan
BOT’s holiday tradition has been the sending of unique and delightful gifts to our friends the world over. For Holiday 2020, however – at the merciful end of a year unlike any other – the company made a break with its decade-old tradition and instead redirected those resources to help the many who are struggling.
A break with tradition: This shift birthed the initiative dubbed A Helping Hand. Several worthy causes were chosen for their established outreach in areas of great need around the world. Then, clients and friends of BOT sent in their votes to direct the allocation of the $25,000 earmarked for charity.
BOT CEO Hitesh Shah observed, “Given the year everyone has had, it just didn’t feel right to send gifts for the holiday season as usual. As a company we wanted to respond to the major challenges going on in some meaningful ways, so we decided to reach out to our community for their collective input about where to direct charitable donations.”
Mission fulfilled: We are happy to report that we have completed the contribution of $25,000 to these three organizations:
There has been an outpouring of support for A Helping Hand from BOT friends and clients. “I love that you are giving to charities. Gifts are nice, but this is much, much better!” one person noted. “This is a wonderful idea in a time that is so uncertain,” said another. Another observed that “this is so far the best present I have received from you.” BOT sends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated.
As a visual effects facility, it’s no surprise that creative talent is plentiful at BOT. However, what is inspiring about the BOT community is how many of the talented VFX artists are equally adept at other art forms and mediums outside of pixels and frames. Thus was born the idea of DRISHYA: The BOT Book of Art, to convey the boundless creative talent of the bots to the outside world. BOT VFX published this limited-edition non-commercial book as a way to showcase the personal artworks of many talented bots, and to connect artists of BOT with the company’s community of friends, family and supporters across the globe.
The Hindi word “drishya”, loosely translated, means “visually striking performance or display”. DRISHYA is striking in its rich variety of styles and mediums, and in the self-directed creative energy that is captured in its pages.
The official launch of DRISHYA: The BOT Book of Art took place on July 7, 2018, at the gala tenth anniversary event celebrating the first decade of BOT VFX. The Honorable Consul General Robert Burgess, head of the United States Consulate in Chennai, was on hand to launch the book.
A grateful client said this of the book after receiving a copy of DRISHYA:
“THANK YOU for the gorgeous book you sent! It’s [a] brilliant way to personalize your company. Especially when a company is overseas, it’s easy for people to forget that there are artists and technicians with unique talents sitting at their desks, working on our shots. I love the idea of connecting the personalities in those pages to the eyes and hands working with us.”
Supporters, friends, and clients of BOT interested in the book can receive a free copy by contacting a BOT team member.
BOT VFX celebrated its 10th anniversary milestone with a glittering gala event on July 7, 2018 in Chennai, India. The event, dubbed BOT Xpressions, was hosted by company co-founders Hitesh Shah, Deepak Bohra, and Sreyans Bardia, and lived up to the upbeat and quirky personality BOT is already known for in the visual effects industry.
The evening’s program included visionaries and dignitaries inspiring the team with their thought leadership, and the launch of an art book featuring the personal artwork of BOT artists.
Also lighting up the night were energizing dance performances including one by BOT’s own dance team, a “mannequin challenge” video paying homage to the veteran torchbearers at BOT, live fusion music, and of course, dinner and dancing.The speakers and Guests of Honor included ILM Vice President Gretchen Libby, world-renowned consultant and professor Dr. Jagdish Sheth, U.S. Consul General Robert Burgess, and Chennai entrepreneur Abhayakumar Jain. Nearly 400 elegantly dressed guests including the current BOT crew and Alumni, industry greats, as well as friends and families of BOT, attended the celebration.
Thought Leaders Shed Light
ILM’s Gretchen Libby
Gretchen Libby took an ecstatic audience of VFX enthusiasts through the epic history of Industrial Light & Magic as it not only created ground-breaking work on classic films, but also along the way, built an industry that did not previously exist.
She emphasized the pivotal role that the company’s culture and values played throughout ILM’s existence, and gave the audience goose-bumps when she acknowledged BOT’s own strong and vibrant culture. The crescendo came when she ended her talk with ILM’s showreel, reminding every BOT in the audience why they are so much in love with visual effects.
Dr. Jagdish Sheth
Dr. Jagdish Sheth, a global consultant to everyone from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to top corporate brass in the United States, India, and throughout the world, was on hand to deliver a riveting speech that was less about business and economics, and more about a topic close to our hearts: the unbounded impact of human potential. He shared inspirational insights on the need to look at the role of an individual’s passion and motivation as the ultimate lever to deliver the greatest value creation for society as a whole.
Epic Entertainment
Opening the program with their typical flair, BOT’s three co-founders Hitesh, Deepak, and Sreyans surprised the audience with some hip-swaying, hand-gyrating dance moves right at the start of the festivities – aptly setting the high-energy tone for the evening.
A live music performance by professional fusion group IndoSoul left everyone awestruck, especially when the band played melodies from beloved movies like Star Wars and the Game of Thrones series.
Selene’s Dance Troupe choreographed several stylistic and colorful dance performances, including the one by BOT’s own crew. The fusion dance performed by the BOTs involved elements of Indian dance creatively woven into popular western music and dance styles.
A masterfully choreographed performance by the Illuminati group mesmerized the audience with their LED Tron dance.
BOT Art Book Launched
The Honorable Consul General Robert Burgess, head of the United States Consulate in Chennai, was on hand to launch Drishya: The BOT Book of Art, an inspiring book showcasing the personal artworks of BOT employees. As a studio made up of hundreds of artists, fostering creativity has always been a priority for BOT, regardless of whether it is inside or outside the office; these efforts have culminated with this launch. The limitless creativity of BOT’s artists has now found lasting expression through this book.
The Grand After-Party
And if the formal part of the evening’s program was a smashing success, the after-party elevated it to a whole new level. The entire audience got on stage and danced as the DJ cranked out the hits. The energy that had started off the evening with the program on-stage had contagiously spread and consumed everyone in the audience by the end of the night – the ultimate hallmark of a successful celebration.
Exactly a week after I joined as a ‘Bot’, Deepak – the CalmBot’ – messaged me, regarding a guest speaker coming over at the office at 11 a.m. I thought to myself…
“Hmm… Guest speaker? Must be someone from the industry like an Art director or Creative person or maybe even an Actor (Robert Downing Jr.? Wink wink 😉
For the past week I have been trying to get in the groove of the work culture at BotVFX. Every day, I expect the monotony of familiarity to seep in, and every day I’m left a little more amazed. Here’s one of the reasons why.
At about 11 a.m. we get a brief about the speaker, Mr. Nipun Mehta – who is also Hitesh aka SuperBot’s friend. I quickly glance through his profile, and I’m instantly in awe of him. You’d be too if you found out that you were going to meet someone who’s received the Dalai Lama’s Unsung Hero of Compassion award. He’s also been on President Barack Obama’s council to reduce Poverty and Inequality. I’ll admit, I was a fanboy already. I head over to the conference room, where I instantly realize I’m not the only one who got the brief.
Dressed in plain clothes paired with ordinary ‘chappals’ was a young yet not so young gentleman sitting across the room.
Preconceived notions had me paint a mental picture of this guy dressed to the nines – tailor-made 3-piece suit, matching tie, Italian leather shoes, the complete jazz. Oh and of course, the American accent.
Cut to reality. I’m looking at this man, and am thrown fully off my train of thought. Introductions are made. Nipun takes a look at all the Hollywood movie posters hanging on the walls. He stops at Invictus and stares at it intently. He asks us if we did any work on this film (yes, we did). Nipun is impressed. He then goes on to talk about how the film, based on Nelson Mandela and François Pienaar, shows a nation brought together in times of intense racial tension by a sport. And how potentially vicious issues were easily resolved due to Mandela’s humility.
Nipun is reminded of his own personal experience – he was inspired by none other than Gandhiji to leave behind all his belongings in the USA and start a pilgrimage march in Gujarat. One anecdote led to another, and I just marveled at the way his words managed to strike the right chords, making the brain ponder on thoughts often looked over, giving a whole new perspective on things.
DANCING WITH THE STARS
When Nipun left all his comforts in Sillicon Valley, USA, he knew that his true calling was volunteering. But, if it really was as easy, we’d have made Florence Nightingales out of everyone. Leaving everything actually meant EVERYTHING. No cheat codes, no hacks, NOTHING.
He recalls one incident where he was offered dinner by an elderly lady. Her husband asked from where he had started. Nipun replied, “Ahmadabad”. The old man repeated “Oh, Memdavad”. Nipun corrected him “No, no! Ahmadabad, dada!”. The old man again said, “Haan, Memdavad” to which Nipun corrected him again. This correction-tennis went on for a few minutes. Convinced that the old man was hard of hearing, Nipun finally said, “Ahmadabad, dada, Ahmadabad! 127km from here, AHMADABAD!”. The old man softly said, “You have not truly left behind everything, because in your head you are still keeping track how much distance you have covered”. The depth of these words hit Nipun like a rock hurtling towards earth like the asteroid in Armageddon. What happened next was what we called “An Epiphany”. He realized that he was going to have to leave a lot more than just money and material comforts to really get a deeper understanding of life.
He then correlated this anecdote with Giving & Receiving vs Dancing. Giving and Receiving are transactional acts. There is an exchange between 2 people. You give something only because you want to receive something.
Dancing on the other hand is not transactional and is best enjoyed when you don’t care who is looking, who is judging, without anyone keeping a minute to minute track of your steps, letting yourself loose – Basically, you do it for the pure love of it and nothing else.
CORPORATE ECOLOGY – GIVERS | MATCHERS | TAKERS
In a case study of an organization, employees were all placed at the same level and could work their way to the top. They were also grouped under 3 categories.
Givers – Generous people who place the needs of others above their own. The ones who only give and give and give – a fountain of generosity. Takers – Selfish people whose number one (and perhaps only) priority is their own self. Life is an all-you-can-eat buffet, and these folks are here for it. Matchers – Those who give as much as they take or vice versa. They know that you can only rightfully take stuff when you’ve given stuff in exchange in the first place.
At the start of the study, Takers were at the top, Matchers in the middle and Givers at the bottom. However towards the end of the study there were a quite a few Givers at the top and Takers at the bottom. The study proved that even Givers could make it to the top (defying the notion that Givers are the literal and figurative Losers). Similarly, a Taker could end up at the bottom. Matchers on the other hand saw that giving would transform into receiving more hence they would adapt themselves to be Givers.
Hence a total win-win for the organization.
BORN BANKRUPT, DIE RICH
When on topic of his pilgrimage, Nipun recalls the many days he spent hungry and thirsty. Earning needn’t necessarily mean asking for money.
Once, he asked an elderly person if he could assist the person in carrying his haystack back for nothing. The old man thought Nipun must be asking money to do the deed. However, Nipun clarified that there were no strings attached, and that he would really do it for free. The old mad, though bewildered, agreed.
When the old man and Nipun (holding the haystack on his head) came back to the village everyone wondered who was this new guy helping out this old man? The old man who was now having a 56-inch proud chest replied to all, “Someone was willing to help me without any reason – Godsent in the truest sense!”.
That day Nipun may not have earned anything monetary but he earned goodwill – forming a relationship with the old man. There’s no currency for that sort of stuff.
Nipun’s anecdote brings out the true meaning of life.
When we are born we are born with nothing. When we die, we die with nothing. But, it’s the period in-between that matters and determines what we leave behind.
It really is about the legacy you leave behind for generations to come, for strangers everywhere. You don’t have to reach the saintly level of Nelson Mandela. You can be a hero in your own little pond. The beauty is in taking the first step, and then repeating that over and over. Some people choose to do nothing, and are, thus, ultimately forgotten.
Don’t be one of those “some people”. There are already far too many of those.
There is this lazy, mistaken notion that you earn virtue just by signed a cheque to some NGO. If wishes were horses, am I right?
In simple mathematical terms: IF to be a Good person = Donate money We know Time = Money Replacing Money we can say a Good person is also one who Donates TIME
GIFT HAPPINESS
Once in a company there was a soft drink vending machine. One day an employee decided that he would treat the next person to a free can of Coke. He put up a note on the machine saying that ‘Enjoy your drink, its on me’. He did this everyday. Soon this became an office sensation. Everyone in office was curious who was this mystery Coke can gifter. When the mystery unraveled and the true perpetrator brought to question, he simply said that he just wanted to gift happiness… to anyone.
The joy of receiving a gift is surpassed only by the joy of giving, because the happiness is actually doubled once it serves its purpose.
Youtube it!
Key and Peele – Can you be too nice at the office?
Vinoba Bhave was one such person who believed that ‘Helping Helps Helpers’. People adopted him as their son and gave 1/6th of their land to him. He in turn donated all the land received to the homeless, poor and landless. He helped more than 1000 villages by way of such help and countless lives were benefited solely because of him.
Nipun then went on to explain a corollary that read something to the effect of, “Only Hurt People Hurt Others”, which actually makes a lot of sense. Think about it. Nobody is born a villain. Nor does anybody intentionally want to hurt anyone. A pertinent question we should be asking ourselves is that should we restrict kindness only to selected people? No.
Take the 21 day kindness challenge and see an intrinsic difference! Everyday make it a priority to fulfill one random act of kindness. Kindness can be in any form. Take someone out, write a note to someone, bring a cupcake, teach a topic – Anything!
Key Take aways and 2017 goals
Give > Receive
Dance with humility
Earn relationships
Spend Love
Help others
Accept challenges
Stay Positive
Spread Kindness
Laugh more
Smile
And so Nipun left us with a barn full of fodder for the mind. True to his word he made sure none of us left empty-handed as he ensured he ‘gave’ a powerful hug to every person in the room.
“We ride not to escape life, but for life to not escape us.”
After a whole year of dreaming, planning and deliberating, and six months of mapping out my epic road trip to the magical lands of Leh-Ladakh, I finally hopped onto the train from Chennai to Delhi on the 21st of August, 2016. Choosing the places I would cover on my route was fairly easy, although the North East does spoil you for choices when it comes to views. I shortlisted places based on accessibility by bike, their historic importance, and the fact that many of these places cannot be visited all year.
My roadmap was something like this.
22nd August, 2016 Rode from Rupnagar to Manali
23rd August, 2016 Made my way from Manali to Keylong
24th August, 2016 Onwards from Keylong to Pang
25th August, 2016 From Pang, I moved towards Leh
26th August, 2016 Spent the day exploring and traveling within Leh
27th August, 2016 Continued my journey from Leh to Diskit
28th August, 2016 Headed from Diskit to Turtuk
29th August, 2016 Rode from Turtuk to Pangong Lake
30th August, 2016 Rode back from Pangong Lake to Leh
31st August, 2016 From Leh to Sonmarg
1st September, 2016 Biked my way to Patnitop
2nd September, 2016 Entered Ludhiana
3rd September, 2016 Made my way back from Ludhiana to Delhi
4th September, 2016 Stayed the day in Delhi, before taking the train back to Chennai
Although, by this point in time Leh-Ladakh has earned for itself some “mainstream” popularity, no amount of Instagram pictures and Go-Pro videos can prepare you for the real deal. Everywhere you turn to look in this pristine land, you will find a view that’s nothing short of an artist’s favourite masterpiece, created to take your breath away.
My seemingly endless series of gasps and sighs began at Keylong, to which I rode from Manali on my trusted Mahindra Mojo. Keylong (pronounced kelaang) is a lovely little place of untouched beauty located in the Lahaul-Spiti region. Although people only pass through Keylong in the dark of the night while on their way to Ladakh, staying back and watching daylight descend on this sleepy town will reward you with breathtaking views of luciously green mountains, historic Buddhist monasteries and a laidback vibe that’s typical of small sleepy towns forgotten by the ravages of time.
Next stop, Pang Valley. I was only passing through Pang en route Leh, but I couldn’t help but stop and stare at the sheer magnanimity of the natural beauty all around me. From the plains of Pang, you can catch a glimpse of the Himalayan peaks. This glimpse into the overwhelming beauty that lay ahead of me, made me nervous and breathless with anticipation. With this restless feeling, I rode on to Leh.
Perched at a dizzying height of 11,400 feet, safely tucked away like precious treasure from prying eyes, Leh is a place that, as soon as you catch your breath and acclimitise to the thin air, will make you ask yourself some serious questions about life and the universe. But, more than anything it’ll humble you. Mountains loom over the Old Town like proud but indulgent parents watching over their precious child. Traditional Ladakhi homes and hotels whimsically woven with gushing streams, narrow lanes, pristine landscapes and heart-warming people will charm you into staying here forever. I, with a heavy heart, instead moved on to Diskit, after spending a whole day exploring.
Thankfully, the glorious Nubra Valley continued casting its spells of enchantment with every town I entered. Diskit was an experience unto itself. Located some 120 kms from Leh, this town is the headquarters of Nubra Valley, which also makes it a favourite among many backpackers and road trippers. It’s easy to see why. Diskit is home to the largest and the oldest Buddha statue in the valley, is dotted with apricot plantations, pristine streams, looming mountains and the languid and brilliantly turquoise Shyok River.
So engrossed was I in taking pictures and gawking at the vistas, I left behind my camera bag loaded with valuables and original Ids, and obliviously rode on to Hunder. When realisation hit me, I rode back about a 100 kms, to find the bag there untouched, in the exact place I left it. Without wasting another heartbeat, I zipped forward to Hunder village. Hunder is bursting with fascinating sights – from the two-humped Bactrian camels, who were initially native to Mongolia, but found their way into Nubra Valley during the era of silk route trade; to the magical silver-grey sand dunes; to the Leh Berry. Hunder stands like an oasis – a mirage – in the middle of an otherwise barren and imposing landscape.
From Hunder, I rode through a landscape that seemed to be turning whiter by the minute. Here I was in Turtuk – quietly nestled in the Nubra Valley, on the edge of the Shyok desert. Turtuk – the last village on the Indo-Pak border. A place straight out of an adventure picture book. A land whose name you’ll seek delight in rolling off your tongue over and over again. Turtuk is the last village Indians are allowed to enter, and was initally a part of Baltistan, which was once under Pakistan’s control. It became a part of India only in 1971, while Indians were allowed to enter only after 2010. Turtuk is home to the Balti people, who with their high cheekbones and tall, well-built frames stand in stark contrast to the Ladakhis. Apricots grow with wild abandon in Turtuk, and serve as the village’s main source of income. Wild colourful flowers and verdant green grass cover this village like nature’s favourite blanket. Turtuk’s locals are an amazingly artistic bunch – they’re known for their walking sticks and sculptures carved from the horns of an Ibex, pressure cookers made out of stone, bronze utensils, and so much more. The villagers are eager and earnest folks, happily letting you into their lives, even if it’s for a short while.
Although reluctant to leave this slice of heaven behind, I rode further on to Pangong Lake and its unmissable prayer flags. Pangong Lake is located at a height of 14,200 feet above sea level, and its 134 kilometre long shore extends from India, all the way to China. There’s a sense of surreal stillness when you’re standing by the banks of Pangong Lake – the sheet of vivid blue, held in an embrace of majestic mountains and white sand. If you hold still for a minute, you can hear the winds whisper and the mountains sigh, a song only they know.
I made my way back to Leh from Pangong. From Leh I rode to Sonmarg (which translates to Meadow of Gold) and further on to Patnitop – a little hill station that looks like it’s straight out of postcard. Patnitop is surrounded by a dense fence of lush green Pine trees, like solemn soldiers guarding a treasure. From Patnitop I rode to Ludhiana, and before I knew it, I was on the train back to Chennai.
They say the farther you move away from the mainland of the country, the finer the line between life and death gets. Everyday is a battle for survival. Electricity merely lasts a few hours each day. Cell phone reception is borderline non-existent. There are no ATMs. Exotic cuisines and fine dining is unheard of. The bathroom is all but a hole in the floor. And amidst this, live these weather-hardened folks with the softest hearts and warmest hearths.
If you ask me for travel advice, I would just tell you this: stop dreaming, start moving, make new friends, embrace new cultures. You can’t do that from your office desk, you can’t experience that rush via Facebook. My 15-day long adventure felt like a lifetime filled with unforgettable views, humbling moments of self-reflection and the realisation that there is no greater artist than Mother Nature, and we still have much to learn. Nothing changes in these cruel terrains, except those who dare to seek them.
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When you get to a certain point in life, you find comfort in monotony, in the predictability, the routine – you know the drill. All’s well until one day, you’re in office, glued to your computer. And slowly, like drums approaching towards you from a distance, you feel it rising – the thumping in your veins, the electricity in the air, the unquenchable thirst for newer sights and sounds. The call of the open road, the pull of the unknown. You know nothing can hold you in your place anymore. That’s pretty much the story of how I ended up in Manali.
I had been planning this trip for nearly two months, and spent about 1 week mapping the itinerary. My aim was to cover the distance between Chennai and Manali on my bike, and explore some of the nearby villages in the area too. Finally, with my Pulsar 150 as my sole companion, I set out on a journey that was equal parts daunting, exhilerating and therapeutic. Over the course of the 8 days that followed, I would see all kinds of shifts in weather, terrain, cultures and views. I was more than ready.
My route went something like this: Chennai – Hyderabad – Nagpur – Gwalior – Agra – New Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Rohtang La Pass.
Not mentioned above are the innumerable obscure hamlets and lazy towns that mark this entire journey. Anyone who’s done an epic road trip from any one part of India to another will know just how magical it is zipping through this constantly shifting geographical and cultural landscape. It’s like living inside one big kaleidoscope. Chennai to Hyderabad to Nagpur was smooth sailing. So far so good, no dramatic developments, no hiccups. I was riding at a good speed and making good time. It was on my exit from Nagpur and into Gwalior that I got a close glimpse into the treacherous terrains spread all over my roadmap. The road was too rough, too rugged and I had to struggle to maintain firm control over my bike and keep my sanity in check at the same time. With no place to stop at and no room to rest, I had no option but to continue riding. On this stretch, I ended up riding for 15 hours straight in a single day! It is during these moments I seriously end up questioning my decisions and why I do what I do. But then again, this is exactly why. Would biking bring a self-respecting biker any joy if it wasn’t such a giant terrifying pain sometimes?
Not one to be bogged down so early into my journey, I rallied on like a trooper on a mission. Finally, I touched base at Delhi. After sufficient rest, appeasing the hunger Gods and checking up on my bike, I made my way towards Manali via Chandigarh. I was so close to this place I’ve been dreaming of, I was sure if I stuck my tongue out into the air, I could taste the electric anticipation. Anticipation was soon met with further agony when I was crossing the Punjab border and the rain Gods decided to welcome me with brutally torrential downpour. I had to wait for it to pass, and was further greeted by now slushied roads and a frighteningly slippery terrain, which lowered my speed to a crawl. But soon, all of that cleared and I was came up close and personal with the picturesque vistas that Himachal is so known and loved for.
I rode through the tiny towns of Swarghat, Bilaspur, Sundernagar and finally to Mandi. Mandi is a charming little town dotted with innumerable apple trees. The air is crisp, mingled with a sense of sweetness and adventure. I couldn’t help but stop and admire this quaint beauty that we usually see only in the movies! Keeping me company was the River Beas that snaked its way through Mandi. Beas rises from the southern face of Rohtang Pass at about 13,326 feet above sea level, cuts through Mandi at 1,920 feet, divides itself into three in the Kangra District and once again merges into one at an altitude of 1000 feet. Beas eventually joins the River Sutlej at Harike in Punjab. Its foaming white waters gushing forward to meet its destiny, relentless yet tranquil, reinforced my resolve to make it to my destination without further ado. Manali was just two hours away now, and the magnificent Rohtang La Pass was four hours away. My next stop was Kullu, nestled on the banks of River Beas. Serene temples, majestic hills and tall, solemn Pine and Deodhar trees, and sprawling apple orchards weave together this enchanting valley. Life moves at its own pace here – a jolting reminder to us cityfolk that slowing down is a good thing too. Although lured intensely into staying a little longer, I made my way to Manali.
Perched blisslfully between the peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhualdhar ranges, like a precious jewel in a crown, is Manali. Although ridiculously popular and crowded throughout the year, Manali still has its own charm. It’s a real challenge to keep your sanity together when the thin mountain air coupled with adrenaline thumping through your veins, leave you heady and restless. And so, I rode further to Rohtang Pass.
The distance between Manali and Rohtang Pass is 200 kms. But consider traversing these 200 kms as tightrope walking over a valley so deep, you can’t even see the bottom, while in the backdrop a fickle but turbulent weather is set in its ways to show who’s boss. I got on to the legendary Leh-Manali highway which, with its hairpin bends, sharp twists, curtains of fog and whatnot, is pretty much a death-defying roller-coaster ride. Located at a dizzying elevation of more than 13,000 feet. I start from Manali at around 6,400 feet and drive upwards to Marhi, which is at 10,800 feet. The climb is steady and the air is getting thinner by the minute. Finally, I reach Rohtang sitting at 13,060 feet. My intense ride is sprinkled with some rain and light drizzle.
When I finally reach Rohtang is when I finally stop in the real sense. There was no longer anywhere to rush to. This was it, the proverbial and somewhat literal zenith. I get off my bike, take off my helmet, try to catch my breath and gather my wits. All in preparation for the wondrous work of nature spread out in front of me. You can see the most HD images on the internet, you can get all excited listening to your friends’ exciting tales from their trips, you can watch as many films as you like, but the real deal, witnessing the magic firsthand is an experience that’s just downright spiritual. If I had a camera, I had forgotten its purpose. If my jaw had dropped to the floor and shattered, I didn’t really care. The skies are the brightest blue, the mountains stand tall, proud, unafraid and fully aware of their splendour. Where the earth ends and the sky begins, I could hardly tell. I was too occupied being awestruck by this love affair between the mountain peaks and the clouds. Time stood still. The only thing fluid was the and the wind.
What I was feeling in that moment is hard to put into words. I had made it this far, from the tail end of the country to where I was, at the edge, the precipice of wonder and awe. I could live here forever, or for as long as the treacherous forces of nature would permit me. But I knew it was time to leave. A good guest never overstays. I felt a dull ache in my heart at not being able to go further along all the way to Leh. But, I knew I wasn’t prepared, physically, mentally and even with my resources. However, that only filled me with more optimism – the sweet, sweet promise of return and the thrill of pushing my own limits. Travelling alone through a journey brimming with all kinds of risks and dangers is scary, but it’s also zen. It’s the perfect route to self-discovery – of being your own hero, your own most trusted friend and your own sanctuary.
I braved sun, snow, rain and heat. I was stuck in a forest in an unknown land and made it out unscathed. I negotiated language barriers, high altitude passes, broke bridges, bad roads, hostile weather and the complete lack of luxuries. I ate what I got and slept where I could. And I returned, with newer lessons learnt, a grateful heart, renewed spirit and an enriched soul. This was my longest and boldest bike trip. This was my first bike trip, but definitely not the last. As for my appetite for adventure? Let’s just say, I already know where I’m going next!
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