Travelogue 10: Back to Basics – A Chennai Homecoming

This week took me back to Chennai – our global HQ – and in many ways, back to where it all began. As I settled into my Emirates flight from Dubai, my mind drifted to a young professional who, nearly 35 years ago, boarded a similar flight from Mumbai, filled with apprehension and curiosity. I spent 8 formative years in Chennai – and it’s no exaggeration to say the city shaped me, both personally and professionally.

For a North Indian, Chennai can feel like another country at first. But it grows on you – slowly, steadily, and deeply. It’s where I met my wife, got married, and welcomed our daughter into the world. It’s where I discovered the simple joys of a Woodlands thali (sapad), the perfect filter coffee at Saravana Bhavan, spicy Indian Chinese at Cascade, crispy chips from Hot Chips, and of course, the unforgettable Mysore Pak from Sri Krishna Sweets.

More than the food, it was the soul of the city – its cultural richness, resilience, and rhythm – that left a mark on me.

This time around, I was there to meet our incredible teams – from our bright MBA batch to some of the young stars powering our operations. A special moment was addressing over 800 associates at a vibrant town hall, laying out the vision for Q2 FY26 and beyond. The energy, optimism, and hunger in the room were unmistakable. Yes, we have miles to go, but the wind is firmly in our sails.

Of course, Chennai isn’t what it used to be. The population has quadrupled, Metro work has left the roads chaotic, and the city never seems to sleep. But for those in financial services, I tell every young colleague: a Chennai stint is a must. It teaches you depth, humility, and endurance.

One of my favorite leadership quotes is from Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I feel grateful every day to lead and learn from such a high-performance team.

Leaving you with a few pictures from this homecoming.