Following a passion along with corporate life and collecting 1000 memories with 1000+ birds in India

 


Following a passion along with corporate life and collecting 1000 memories with 1000+ birds in India

Read this blog to discover how I followed my passion while maintaining a balance with my corporate work life.


Travel has always been my passion. So far, I've explored 27 countries for both personal and work trips. Within India, I've journeyed far and wide, enjoying a range of experiences from leisurely vacations and historical sites to eco-friendly spots, offbeat destinations, mountain adventures, seaside escapades, and, of course, wildlife national parks.

During one of my wildlife trips, I discovered a love for birdwatching. Initially, my lack of knowledge kept me from diving into this new interest. But in 2018, I found my way and enrolled in a Basic course Ornithology at BNHS India. That 12-month program taught me everything from bird evolution, nesting, and behaviour to migration and, most importantly, how to identify birds based on their general impression of shape and size (GISS), colour, and sounds.

Since then, I've travelled extensively across India, from Ladakh to Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh to Kutch in Gujarat, exploring various states and immersing myself in different habitats, cultures, languages, and cuisines. I'm truly grateful for my physical and financial health, which has made these adventures possible.

In November 2025, I hit a major milestone: spotting over 1,000 bird species in India. This achievement places me among the top 100 birdwatchers in the country. To put it into perspective, around 1,385 bird species have been recorded in India, with about 1,250 occurring regularly.

I owe a huge thanks to all the teachers, mentors, tour operators, guides, fellow birders, Ornithology classmates, travel companions, group members, porters, friends, and, most importantly, my wife and family for helping me reach this significant milestone. I can't forget the support from the organizations I worked for during this time, Citi and Manpower Group, whose work-life balance culture allowed me to plan my travels. The encouragement from my managers and leadership, along with occasional praises for my photographs, has been invaluable.

Though I'm not a professional photographer, I was lucky enough to spot my 1,000th Indian bird species, the Mount Victoria Babax, at Phengpui National Park (Blue Mountain) in Mizoram. The attached photo I took during a seven-hour trek covering 8 kilometers and climbing from an altitude of 1,200m to 1,970m.

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Mount Victoria Babax, Phengpui National Park (Blue mountain), Mizoram, India


I hope to continue this passion for as long as I can and see as many bird species in India as possible.

Ref: Top 100 eBirders in India - eBird

Looking Ahead

This milestone is not an end—it’s a reminder of how much more there is to learn, explore, and protect. Birds have taught me patience, humility, and the joy of observing life quietly.

Call to Action

If you share a love for travel, wildlife, or birdwatching, I’d love to hear your story.

Leave a comment.


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