Eat, Love, Travel, Repeat

Newlyweds, Rajib and Anisha Gangopadhyay have just embarked on an exciting journey together. High on their agenda is their quest for travel and a shared vision to build beautiful dreams together

When Rajib Gangopadhyay decided to see Iceland with his girlfriend Anisha, he told her it was a trip that would change her life. Her response? “It will change yours too.”

And sure enough, even as Rajib went down on a knee propose to her against the backdrop of the heavenly Northern lights (a highlight of the Iceland tour), he was amazed to see that she had a ring for him too. Talk about serendipity and double surprise.

It is precisely this zeal to pack in that extra into each moment that keeps the couple together. He is the founder director of Emotorad, a startup that deals exclusively in e-bikes, while she is the lead financial and planning analyst for General Electrical. Currently based in Pune, the sky is the limit for this dynamic and energetic pair.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Some stories are just meant to be. Despite the obstacles of time and distance. Rajib and Anisha first met in Bengaluru at a common’s friend home. (Both have studied and spent considerable time in the city albeit in different colleges. While Rajib has studied E&TC Engineering, Anisha has done her BcS followed by a Masters’ in Supply Chain a two year course that was completed in France and Italy respectively). “As it happened, she had come down to Bengaluru during her academic break. We hit it off well, though it was going to be a long distance relationship for some time,” shares Rajib. He was working with ONN Bikes, India’s largest bike rental service at the time.

Amidst this gruelling schedule, he would make it a point to meet up with Anisha who had got a job with GE in Europe. “We travelled to several countries together. It was a wonderful experience and we got to know each other, as well as have a chance to see the world,” he says. It helped that both their personalities complemented each other. “I take my time reviewing things whereas he is spontaneous and instinctive. It makes for a good partnership,” smiles Anisha.

"At the end of a hard day, we unwind with dinner and long conversations, a few board games and maybe meeting up with a close circle of friends"

- Anisha

THE MANTRAS OF A MARRIAGE

• Shared passions and common values
• A willingness to go the distance for one’s partner
• Honesty and trust
• Understanding

Avid travellers both, Rajib and Anisha have jointly travelled
across 15 countries together

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

And that’s how the relationship progressed on the backdrop of regular to and fro to each other’s cities, shared values and easy flowing conversation. “Truth be told, I did wonder how a long distance relationship would survive the test of time but it did. It was way easier than we thought it would be to align our lives together,” she says. Their families ‘sort of knew’ about their children’s choice of partner but it was only after they proposed to each other that the parents moved into the picture. And despite the differences in backgrounds (she’s a Maharashtrian, while he’s a Bengali) there was no problem of acceptance whatsoever. “Her parents took me to their hearts from the very first moment. They loved me like a son and that continues to this day,” says Rajib. In fact, so well did the families gel that the duo joke “our parents talk to each other more often than we do.”

As it stands both sets of parents are retired and have the time to set up fun activities together from lunch dates to poker.

Life is hectic but happy with EMotorad picking up the pace and Anisha working in the European time zone despite being in Pune. “At the end of a hard day, we unwind with dinner and long conversations, a few board games and maybe meeting up with a close circle of friends,” says Anisha. Like every couple, they have their share of fights too. “Most of the time, I just say sorry and get on with it even if I shouldn’t be the one apologizing,” grins Rajib. “Seriously, though, the trick is not to let the tough moments escalate but to focus on the positive.”

Given their three year courtship and recent nuptials in November 2020, what according to them, are the pillars of a relationship? “I would root for honesty and trust,” says Rajib, while Anisha emphasises on understanding. “It is hugely important to understand each other’s point of view given that at the end of the day, you are both different individuals. When a couple has that, everything else falls into place.”

AN ADVENTURE CALLED ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Rajib has dabbled seriously with entrepreneurship before. First with his 2012 edu-tech startup “Score the Study Lounge” followed by his ERPS venture Inkodoptechnologies Pvt Ltd. “Both these startups did well and gave me the confidence to take on the rough and tumble of entrepreneurship,” he says.

His stint with ONN Bikes led him to venture into his current venture of electric or e-bikes, an “idea whose time has come.” He travelled to different countries to study the prospects and make of the bike before setting up the same in Pune, Dubai and Italy.

Even as Emotorad takes up more and more of the centre stage, especially on the backdrop of Covid-19 and people’s preferences for eco friendly and personalised modes of travel, the couple is aware of the highs and lows that startups and entrepreneurship eventually brings in their wake. “Despite being salaried professionals themselves, both Anisha and my parents are very supportive and encouraging. Also, it’s a good feeling that the bike is doing well,” he says. “Since this is the future, there is support from the government as well.”

Completely self funded thus far, the company is now aiming at the bigger picture.

“For the near future, it’s going to be just us and our work. This is the time to dream and grow,” says Anisha. In other words, additions to the family can wait for some time.

“Work hard for 11 months and travel hard in the 12th month is our motto,” smiles Rajib. “The world is our oyster.”