1. What’s your leadership mantra in today’s fast-paced travel tech world?
Stay curious, stay committed, and above all, stay human. Curiosity fuels innovation—whether it’s exploring how AI can improve user journeys or finding untapped markets. Commitment turns those ideas into impact. At EaseMyTrip, we’ve built with patience and persistence, applying the same mindset to people and processes. But the most enduring quality is humanity. Tech evolves, but trust, empathy, and values never go out of style. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building a culture where the right questions can be asked freely, and bold bets can be made with confidence.
2. How do you keep your team motivated during tough times?
Transparency comes first—acknowledging that things are hard creates space for honesty. We view setbacks as stepping stones. As leaders, we walk alongside our teams, not ahead of them. Reminding people of their resilience, talent, and potential builds what I call “comeback energy”—we may bend, but we don’t break. It’s about moving forward stronger, together.
3. With AI rising, how do you see human leadership evolving?
AI is powerful, but it’s still built and guided by humans. Leadership today means blending intuition, empathy, and foresight—qualities no machine can replicate. As automation accelerates, human leadership anchors purpose. That’s more critical now than ever.
4. Tell us about a major mistake you’ve made and the lesson behind it.
Mistakes are inevitable in entrepreneurship. One big lesson I’ve learned is that growth often hides in discomfort. When something fails, it’s a nudge to reflect, realign, and return stronger. Every misstep is a masterclass in adaptation and humility.
5. What’s a common mistake you see young tech entrepreneurs making?
Overspending on marketing too soon, especially with investor funding. Scaling visibility without product strength is risky. Marketing should amplify value—not mask a weak product. At EaseMyTrip, the product always comes first. If it solves real problems, the brand builds itself.
6. How do you handle failure, and how do you promote a failure-positive culture?
We treat failure as feedback, not defeat. It’s a signal to reassess and improve. We encourage experiments, even if they don’t work out, because progress demands motion. Normalising mistakes while staying accountable is how we keep learning without losing momentum.
7. What’s the next big disruption you foresee in tech?
In OTAs, hyper-personalisation, predictive AI, and voice-led bookings will redefine user experiences. The future lies in platforms that are not just transactional but intuitive companions. Seamless bundling across travel, hospitality, and payments is on the horizon too. And sustainability tech will increasingly shape travel decisions—clean, conscious, and values-led is the way forward.
8. How do you unplug from tech? Any non-negotiable habits?
Unplugging isn’t about detachment—it’s about balance. Travel helps me reset, offering perspectives no screen can. I also carve out quiet time for reflection—through walks, short family trips, or mindful mornings. Staying active and intentional keeps me grounded and focused.
9. Books that changed your views on leadership or tech?
Zero to One by Peter Thiel taught me the value of bold innovation. Ben Horowitz’s The Hard Thing About Hard Things is an honest playbook on tough leadership calls. Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark opened my mind to AI’s long-term potential, while Ashlee Vance’s Elon Musk biography gave insight into first-principles thinking.
10. Any podcasts or quotes you live by?
I’m a fan of a16z for its tech foresight and The Tim Ferriss Show for actionable insights. A quote that stays with me: “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favour.” And another I swear by: “Fail fast, learn faster.”