When industrial tycoons G. V. Prasad, Suresh Chitturi, Gautam Birudavolu and Gopi Raju set off on a trip, one might think they were on a business tour, not until they spot the fifth team member — Dhevin, a class VIII student and Gopi’s grandson. Away from the madding money talks, the five travelled towards the end of the world — Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago not so far from the North Pole.
An expedition taken up with great effort and strategic planning, the city-based businessmen embarked on the journey a month ago to rejuvenate themselves and to rekindle their bonds.
Remembering their cruise along the Arctic Ocean, G.V. Prasad, CEO of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, says, “A group of polar bears woke us up in the middle of night. We quickly got up and focused our cameras to capture the moment. There was a mother and two cubs strolling past and when the male came close, they ran away.”
It was not just him who had dreamt of catching polar bears in action. “My grandfather wanted to cruise and watch the polar bears. Svalbard has the highest concentration of polar bears,” says Dhevin, who had a great time bonding with Gopi, while watching polar bears moving across ice sheets.
Top industrialists from the city recently went on a 10-day gruelling trip to Svalbard
“We all had a great time. Every year, we plan an outing. Last year, we went to Alaska and earlier, it was to Africa,” says Gopi, who is into construction business.
Suresh Chitturi, chairman of CII-Andhra Pradesh and also the vice- chairman and managing director of Srinivasa Hatcheries, too had much to say.
“It was an eight-day cruise; it was a comfortable journey with no major challenges. Each day was a different experience with different highlights. It was a well-curated trip by Lindblad expeditions and National Geographic guides. Gautam, Prasad and I have been doing these trips for the last five years; we all are like-minded and willing to take hardships. Most importantly, we are very understanding while travelling together.”
There were real fun moments. “There was a frozen river over which we all had a snowball fight, it was awesome,” shares Dhevin. White snowy premises offered them great photographic moments. And the photographs of the trip were exhibited at a city hotel recently, which, quite interestingly, excelled like those clicked by a professional.
All of them share a passion for wildlife and photography as well. “I love nature and wildlife. It was Suresh, who introduced me to the nuances of photography,” reveals Prasad.
And for Suresh, it is a hobby-turned passion. “I have been into photography since I was eight and now, a 10-day gruelling trip with the team has made it all better. Many shots were similar as everyone was clicking at the same point of time. However, each of us gets a different angle, different composition and a different perspective based on our viewpoint, creativity and equipment,” adds Suresh.
A physically taxing trip like this requires special arrangements and everything was put in place, including fitness. “You need to have decent physical fitness. This was not very taxing, but normally, you need to carry about 15-20 kilos of gear and be prepared for changes in the climate. This journey was quite comfortable, except a few times when you had to dress up for onshore trips. We loved the fried rice and pickles the chef specially made for us beyond the regular meal,” remembers Suresh.
The globe-trotters have ample support from their families. “I didn’t give them a choice,” laughs Gautam Birudavolu, owner of Green Park Hotels and Resorts. So, where’s the team headed for the next year? And Suresh says, “May be Antarctica!”
