The last annual blog I wrote was for the year 2023. Fast-forward to late 2026 feels less like a gap in time and more like a leap into a new era. As I sit down to reflect on the past few years, I realise it is tough to capture everything in one go. Yet, I’m attempting to highlight some of the most significant moments and shifts that have shaped my journey during this time. From personal milestones to broader changes in the world around me, new experiences have left an indelible mark.
In my last blog, I wrote about my desire to start the PhD. Well, it finally happened. More on this later. But first, I would like to share the incredible journey between 2024 and 2026. This period became a deeply spiritual journey of looking backwards to move forward. After years of rushing ahead, the last few years forced me to slow down and reconnect with the places and people that fundamentally shaped who I am.
Revisiting the past
This period allowed me to revisit my old school in Guwahati. In my short life so far, I have lived in seven cities and made many memories, but Guwahati was very special. Whenever I think of the two years I spent there, my memories take me back to lush green mountains, dense forests, fog-covered winters, and the mighty Brahmaputra. So when the opportunity arose to revisit Guwahati, it was difficult to resist. The catalyst was close friend Siddharth’s wedding, which turned into an impromptu reunion. Laughing, swapping stories, and simply catching up with old friends in the place where we all grew up was a perfect reminder of how enduring true connections are.
That nostalgia carried over into a visit to my college campus. Four years of college life in Durgapur was the first experience of living outside the comfort of parents’ house. It taught us to live independently and, most importantly, realise that with independence comes responsibility. We have so many indelible memories of that campus, of the hostel rooms, of the classrooms, of the canteens and of the people. Walking through those familiar grounds felt almost surreal. The highlight was sitting down with one of my old professors. Together, we reflected on how much the campus and the world have transformed over the last ten years. Seeing the physical changes to the buildings contrasted against the timeless energy of the students was a powerful reminder of how fast time moves.
But perhaps the most profound stop on this journey through memory lane was a visit to the remote town where my maternal grandparents used to live. We used to visit them during school holidays. It was always an exciting journey to visit them and run around those courtyards with other cousins. As teachers, they emphasised the importance of sports and taught us English grammar. Grandmother would cook delicious desi food. Our grandfather would take us to the market, sometimes for fishing in the pond as well. Walking down those streets, it felt as though time had stood still as a flood of childhood memories rushed back. Remembering the faces of the local people, the layout of the streets, and the quiet moments spent there as a kid grounded me in a way nothing else could.
These past two years taught me that sometimes, to understand where you are going, you have to remember exactly where you came from. These visits were a beautiful lesson in impermanence, showing me how much things can change in decades while memories remain untouched. It made me realise that trying to freeze time is impossible; the real gift is learning to honour the past while fully flowing with the present.
The Geography of the Last Three Years: Mountains, Monasteries, and Work Trips
If the first part of this blog was about looking inward, the next part is about throwing open the doors to the world. Between 2024 and 2026, my passport saw more action than ever before. I chased alpine lakes, attended far-flung celebrations, and let curiosity guide my steps.
Personal Adventures: From Alpine Peaks to South India
I thank my stars for blessing me with a life partner who loves travelling as much(maybe even more) as I do. At least I don’t have to plan because she does it for us. Over the last two and a half years, our travels have focused on nature and deep cultural contrasts. In Germany, we finally made it to Berchtesgaden and Königsee, which easily takes the crown as the most beautiful place in the country. We also tested our physical limits by conquering the trek to Schrecksee again—rightfully known as one of the most difficult, gruelling alpine lake hikes one can attempt, but the pristine, high-altitude water was worth every painful step. Ankita had written about the first one. Thanks to our elevated fitness level the trek was much more comfortable this time. The alpine obsession continued into Switzerland, where we lost ourselves in the dramatic valley walls of Lauterbrunnen, explored Interlaken, stood atop soaring mountains, and saw ancient glaciers for the first time. We also spent a few days in Oberstdorf and Innsbruck. It was not just Alpine mountains; an Easter getaway to Prague offered a fairytale backdrop of Gothic architecture and cobblestone charm. We also took a quieter trip to Hildesheim.
We also headed south of India, on two different trips. Embarking on a vibrant, sensory journey through Thalassery, Bangalore, Chennai, and Pondicherry. While Ankita had her fair share of South India travel, it was completely unexplored for me. Coincidentally, both times we were visiting for a wedding. So we had the opportunity to witness a Malayalam and a Tamil wedding and explore ancient culture, incredible food, and beautiful coastal landscapes.
The Absolute Highlight: A Spiritual Awakening in Japan
The pinnacle of our travels was a trip to Japan to attend a dear friend’s wedding. It unexpectedly turned into another deeply spiritual leg of my journey. Japan is a true food paradise, and its legendary cleanliness is unmatched. In 11 days, we travelled through Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Takayama and Tokyo. The best part of the trip was the Shinto-style wedding in Meiji Jingu. It felt like a great privilege to be part of this ritualistic tradition and stand inside the holy premises of the inner shrine. What stayed with me most from the Japan trip was the quiet reverence of the Zen monasteries and Shinto shrines. Standing in those spaces, the philosophy of mindfulness and impermanence we often read about felt entirely alive.
When Work Took Me Places: Castles and Stadiums
It’s been some time since I left a conventional corporate job to explore the world, and boy, am I glad I took that step. For me now, work isn’t just sitting behind a desk; it’s become its own vehicle for exploration. I spent time navigating the contrast between the quiet expanses of Brandenburg, the bustling, creative energy of Berlin, and the fast-paced chaos of New Delhi. Work also brought me to Signal Iduna Park. As a massive bonus for a football fan, standing in that iconic stadium and feeling the phantom energy of the “Yellow Wall” was an unforgettable rush.
My fieldwork also took me to Bihar and Nepal. The goal was to study the effects of climate change in Bihar’s floodplains, but it also turned into a pilgrimage. The trip became philosophically significant for my personal life (more on it later). I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of historic and mythical characters. Patna Sahib the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, Vaihali the birthplace of Mahavir, Sithamari where King Janak found Sita, Valmiki Ashram the birthplace of Luv and Kush and finally Lumbini the birth place of Buddha.
The Work Highlight: The Haunting Beauty of Scotland
If I had to pick one standout professional journey, it was travelling to Scotland. Spending time in Aberdeenshire and the sweeping Scottish countryside felt like stepping onto a movie set. The rolling green hills, ancient stone castles, and dramatic skies offered a quiet, rugged peace I didn’t expect to find on a work assignment, and now the work I do feels deeply fulfilling.
The Core Mission: Stepping All-In on Climate Action
For a long time now, my professional compass has pointed toward one definitive north star: Climate Action. But the last few years brought a tectonic shift in how I pursue that mission.
After seven rewarding years, I made the necessary decision to leave my job at eRay. It was my first job in Germany when I had very little technological knowledge. I learned so much about technology, startup culture and people management in general. I had written about my experience in a separate blog when I completed 5 years at e.Ray. It was an incredible chapter, but it was time to step out of my comfort zone and build something from the ground up. It was time to focus on the two startups that I co-founded. Today, I am navigating the parallel realities of building two climate tech startups simultaneously: one in India and one in Germany.
To say it has been a roller coaster would be a massive understatement. Building cross-continental businesses in highly regulated spaces is an exercise in pure resilience. 2026 was explicitly a “make it or break it” year for us. We faced the brutal, exhausting realities of the early-stage grind—chasing funding, navigating bureaucracy, and testing product-market fit. But out of that pressure, we’ve found real traction. We have secured our first few critical projects, and for the first time in a long time, for both Moofind and Harit-Vikas the future looks genuinely optimistic.
The Ultimate Synergy: Starting the PhD
Running two startups wasn’t enough; I decided to pull the thread tighter on my academic roots. I have finally started my doctoral study, titled Decentralised solutions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. I’m focusing directly on the technological frameworks driving Climate Action. The study will take a mixed-methods approach, using quantitative and qualitative data to investigate the potential of decentralised technological solutions such as IoT, Blockchain, and AI for climate action, with solutions that reflect the needs of local stakeholders. The best part? This isn’t a separate track. My doctoral research serves as the intellectual bridge that connects both startups, allowing my academic discoveries to directly fuel our real-world tech deployments, and vice versa. It is exhausting, but it ensures that every ounce of my energy is aligned toward solving the same monumental puzzle.
The Personal Landscape: Loss, Resilience, and New Beginnings
While my professional life was a high-stakes gamble, my personal life was its own profound arena of growth, physical endurance, and deep emotional transitions.
Pushing the Body to its Limits
In my last yearly blog, I wrote about our transformation and the journey towards physical fitness. We decided to test our physical limits by running our first marathon. But we didn’t just stick to flat pavement—we took it to the mountains, competing in a gruelling trail run in the Alps. Although we couldn’t finish, the experience itself was magical. Running at altitude, where every step requires intense focus, became a form of moving meditation. Last year I also looked for new ways to channel my energy. I began practising martial arts at home to build daily discipline, which eventually led me to formally join a Canne de Kombat club (French cane fighting). It has been an incredible way to practice focus, agility, and mindfulness under pressure.
Navigating the Law of Impermanence
But the last few years also brought a fair share of grief and profound loss. I had to say a final goodbye to my maternal grandfather, making my recent visit back to his remote town feel even more sacred—and more recently, I lost my mentor, someone who deeply shaped my perspective on life and work. Dhrubo da inspired us to take the physical fitness journey. He was not just a mentor, but also a good friend.
“The problem is, you think you have time.” – Buddha
Losing them was a brutal reminder of the absolute truth of impermanence (Anitya). It taught me that the people who guide us won’t be here forever, and the only true way to honour their legacy is to carry their wisdom forward into the actions we take today.
A New Circle of Life: Responsibility and Parenthood
Out of loss, life naturally renews itself. We welcomed a new member to the family and adopted a dog. Suddenly, my daily rhythms shifted; looking after another living creature forced me to become more grounded, patient, and responsible.
But that was just training for the ultimate shift. I am now stepping across the threshold into an entirely new phase of existence: parenthood. During my field trip in Bihar, Ankita gave me the great news, and the trip took on new meaning. Entering parenthood feels like the ultimate spiritual transition. It is the dismantling of the ego, shifting the centre of my universe entirely toward someone else. As I look ahead at the sheer magnitude of raising a child, while balancing two startups and a PhD, I realise I am no longer the same person who stopped writing a blog in 2023. Life has expanded, and I am ready for it.
Standing here at the tail end of 2026, looking back at the last three years feels like looking at a completely different lifetime. Stepping away from this yearly blog for almost three years was a necessary period of gathering stories, learning resilience, and living deeply. From the quiet streets of my grandfather’s town to the gruelling trails of the Alps, and from the high-stakes pressure of two climate startups to the profound magic of upcoming parenthood, I have learnt: life is a beautiful, unfolding river. I can’t promise when I’ll be able to write again, but until then, I’ll be out here—building, learning, and navigating this wild, impermanent world.
See you in the next chapter.
Greenspeed.
Jeet
