“Growing up, my world revolved around two things: food and travel. My mother, a government school teacher, and my father, a real estate businessman, ensured that my sister and I had a childhood filled with rich experiences. We traveled constantly, and by the time I was in 8th grade, I was completely hooked on the idea of exploring new places.

Back then, Goa was everywhere — on TV, in conversations, even in the dreams of my friends. Everyone raved about its beaches, its nightlife, its energy. I couldn’t resist. That first Goa trip in 9th grade with my friends was my real taste of independence. The salty sea breeze, the thrill of being away from home, the joy of trying new dishes — it was intoxicating.

But the real turning point came when I took my first solo trip.

Convincing my parents to let me travel alone wasn’t easy. I was still a teenager, and their protective instincts kicked in hard. But I had a plan — I’d start with Tirupati, a sacred place where they’d feel I was in safe hands. After weeks of persistent persuasion, they finally agreed.

That journey was a rollercoaster of emotions. I still remember standing at the foot of the Tirumala hills, surrounded by thousands of devotees, feeling both exhilarated and nervous. I had no plan, no VIP passes, no fixed schedule. But fate had something in store for me.

During the climb, I met a stranger. We talked for 30–40 minutes, and by some divine coincidence, he offered me a VIP Dharshan. It felt like the universe was telling me, “You’re on the right path.”

From there, I traveled to Arunachalam, a place known for its powerful spiritual energy, and then to Pondicherry, where French-colonial charm met Indian soul. But the journey wasn’t all smooth.

After Arunachalam, I took a sleeper bus to Coimbatore to visit the Isha Foundation. It was late at night, and I had curled up in a back corner, half-asleep.

Then — a violent crash. I woke up to chaos. The bus had rammed into an ambulance. I tumbled from my seat, rolling all the way to the front. The impact was brutal, both vehicles were wrecked. The driver was frozen in shock, the conductor was badly injured, and for a moment, everything felt unreal.

Thankfully, there were no casualties. The ambulance was empty. But the experience shook me to the core. I never told my family. Only a few close friends know. That night, I learned a hard truth — travel isn’t just about sunsets and street food. It’s about resilience, quick thinking, and sometimes, sheer luck.

If travel was my first love, food was my soulmate. In my family, food was more than just a meal — it was a love language. We didn’t just eat; we experienced. Small portions, endless variety, and every dish came with a story.

When I stayed with my uncle during school, my cousin and I became midnight food explorers. We tried everything — street food, new cuisines, unknown flavors. That’s when I realised: food isn’t just about hunger. It’s about discovery.

One day, a thought struck me — “If I’m experiencing all this, why not share it?” That’s how Hyderabad Food Express was born.

On April 5, 2023, I posted my first Instagram reel featuring Pista House’s Haleem. I didn’t tell anyone. Not my parents, not even the friend who filmed me (I lied, saying it was for Snapchat). I spent hours scripting, editing, and nervously re-recording my voiceover.

The moment I was posting, anxiety kicked in. “What if people hate my voice? What if no one cares?” I just jumped in.

But life had other plans. 10K views in three days. My friends started texting — “Why are you in this food reel?” I played it cool, revealing the truth only to my inner circle.

A month later, Pista House invited me to their new branch. My first collaboration. That moment was surreal. I wasn’t just a kid with a phone anymore. I was a food blogger.

While food blogging was taking off, another dream was forming — a travel agency. Ever since my first solo trip, I had unconsciously been collecting contacts — cab drivers, homestay owners, local guides. I didn’t know why at the time. It just felt right.

By second year of BTech, I was juggling studies, food blogging, and groundwork for the agency. I’d research stays, compare B2B prices, and even arrange trips for friends. What started as a hobby became Vihari Express — a travel agency focused on curating unforgettable experiences for beginners.

Balancing BTech, blogging, and business wasn’t easy. I wasn’t a topper, just a 70-percentile student who prioritised passion.

In the mornings, I attended my college lectures. Afternoons and in between my classes, I edited my footage (thank God for my love of editing). All my evenings were spent at restaurants shooting content. Late nights, I used to plan itineraries for my clients.

Through it all, my parents were my biggest cheerleaders. They funded my travels, shared my videos, and never once questioned my hustle. They knew that every exam season, I’d book a trip the day after my last paper. They didn’t stop me; they trusted me.

And my friends, who were there to lift my spirits up, they seamlessly transformed into my most honest critics and emergency contacts during travels.

I want to explore every corner of India — its food, its people, its hidden stories. Through my travel agency, I want to give beginners the trips of their lives, where they don’t worry about logistics, just pure, unforgettable joy. I want them to feel what I felt on my first solo trip — the thrill, the freedom, the magic — without the stress.

Yes, money matters, but memories are the real deal. The moments we brush off as ordinary often become the ones we cherish the most. A late-night drive with friends, a meal shared with a stranger, the nervous excitement of stepping into the unknown — at the time, they seem small and fleeting. But as life moves forward, we look back and realise they were never small at all.

So, make memories, as many as you can. Because one day, they won’t just be stories. They’ll be the moments that made you.

That first solo trip, the accident I survived, the haleem that started it all — these aren’t just stories. They are proof that life is best lived boldly.

I’m an engineering student, a food blogger, and a travel entrepreneur. Not because I had to choose one, but because I refused to limit myself.

So here I am — chasing flavors, places, and stories.

And this? This is just the beginning.”