Chances are you remember it in detail—the boarding pass in hand, the mix of excitement and nerves, and the sudden realisation that this wasn’t just travel. It was work. I still recall mine vividly.
My First As a Working Professional
Barely three days into my first job, I was asked to fly to Chennai with the edited tape of a corporate film. A senior executive from overseas had to preview it during his short visit.
It was unplanned. I didn’t have time to go home or pack. An office rider informed my flatmates of my sudden absence—because those were pre-mobile days.
Uma, my boss, asked me to check into the same hotel as the foreign client, note his feedback, and return the next morning. The client approved the film and appreciated that I was able to travel at very short notice. In India, it may not be seen as a big deal, but foreign clients are most apologetic in such situations.
That night, I phoned Uma with the good news, ordered room service, and then dialled my parents to tell them their son was calling from a five-star hotel—barely 60 hours into his first job.
Their excitement was palpable even though it did not quite match mine. At 21, the experience of interacting with a top foreign client, flying unexpectedly, and staying in luxury—all courtesy of my company—felt surreal.
My First International Trip
Four years later came another first: my maiden trip overseas. A show we produced aired on BBC World, but a courier company couldn’t deliver the tape to Singapore on a specific date in the future.
My senior producer, Shyatto, made me an irresistible offer: fly to Singapore with the tape, within the same budget. My airfare and local transport would be covered; I only had to arrange and pay for my stay.
With barely any savings, I searched for affordable options. A well-wisher suggested I apply for YMCA membership, which granted subsidised accommodation in central Singapore to its members. Thankfully, the membership card arrived a few days before my trip.
Excited, I reached the airport well in advance—only to realise I had left the membership card at home. Panic set in. Without it, I wouldn’t be allowed access to the YMCA, and I could not afford to stay elsewhere in Singapore.
I called my friend Gaurav, who had dropped me off at the airport, to bring my card from home. But I had already cleared security. “You know you can’t come out, right?” he warned.
Don’t worry, I will find a way,” I said. “Please bring the card as soon as you can.”
I spoke to the airport security officer, who said he couldn’t help. Then I insisted that he connect me with his supervisor, who said this was above his pay grade and he’d have to speak to his boss. I wasn’t ready to give up.
After much persuasion with multiple layers of airport officials, I was allowed to exit, grab the card, and re-clear security—just in time to board.
When the plane took off, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. The mess was self-inflicted, but the lesson was unforgettable.
The Common Thread
Looking back, I noticed something striking.
My first domestic flight to Chennai and my first international flight to Singapore. Both times, I wasn’t strategising or shaping the story. I was simply a human courier, carrying a tape.
It could have been anyone, but it was me.
And that’s the point.
The Takeaway
Not every opportunity looks glamorous at the start. Sometimes, you’re just the courier. But being there matters. Because those journeys—no matter how small the role—shape you for the bigger ones to come. The exposure I gained and the learnings from both trips were invaluable.
You don’t always add value by what you do. Sometimes, you add value by simply being present.
About Me
I am a thinker at all times. I see, I think. I hear, I think. I read, I think. Every weekend I write. I would love to know what you think.