👋 Hi, I’m Surya!
Based in Bhubaneswar, India — where temples outnumber streetlights and stories are carved in stone.

By day, I work as the CoE Head at Swadesh (Reliance Retail), focused on reviving Indian handicrafts and handlooms through design, supply chains, and community partnerships. My background spans teaching, entrepreneurship, and public policy — but at the core, I love building things that matter.

🏕️ I co-founded an eco-tourism social enterprise, and I still spend time volunteering with Unmukt Foundation, which works with children and communities. I’ve slowed down a bit on travel recently, but the spirit of connection, culture, and curiosity remains strong.

🧳 When I travel, I’m more about morning walks than nightlife, more about conversations than checklists.
🍛 Happy to host or meet fellow travelers, especially those interested in art, history, food, or slow exploration. I’ll always know a lesser-known temple or the best chai in town.

Let's share stories, not just space.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To connect beyond itineraries.

For me, travel has always been about people and perspectives — not just places. Couchsurfing feels like a way to rediscover that spirit of genuine exchange: sharing meals, stories, and small moments that no guidebook can offer.

As someone who’s worked closely with communities, artisans, and grassroots projects, I believe the best way to understand a place is through those who live it. Whether hosting or visiting, I’m here for thoughtful conversations, cultural curiosity, and meaningful connections.

Interests

• photography
• painting
• tourism
• travel
• food
• marketing
• handmade
• handicrafts
• digital media
• handicraft
• heritage
• digital marketing
• heritage sites
• heritage walks
• handloom

Music, Movies, and Books

🎶 Music
I find myself drawn to sounds that carry depth — Indian classical (both Hindustani and Carnatic), soul-stirring ghazals (especially Mehdi Hasan and Jagjit Singh), old Hindi film songs, regional folk traditions, and the occasional Sufi or instrumental piece that quiets the noise of the world.

🎬 Movies
My taste ranges from quiet, thought-provoking cinema to immersive storytelling. Some favorites: The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Ship of Theseus, The Disciple, Court, and for a good escape — the Avengers and Harry Potter series. I enjoy films that linger in the mind or heart, sometimes both.

📚 Books
Books have been milestones in my journey. Those that left a mark include The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, Siddhartha, Thus Spake Zarathustra, Raag Darbari, and the complete works of Orwell, Saadat Hasan Manto, Premchand, and Wodehouse. I’ve also enjoyed most of Paulo Coelho. I’m drawn to writing that challenges ideas, explores the human condition, or simply delights in language.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While working full-time, I co-created a rural eco-tourism and handicraft venture that brought together local communities, heritage, and sustainability. Balancing that with everything else in life was tough — but being part of something that empowered others made it truly rewarding.

Teach, Learn, Share

Can teach:
Storytelling, branding, digital marketing, basics of entrepreneurship, how to spot authentic handloom or handicraft, and a bit of poetry if you're up for it.

Want to learn:
Local languages, forgotten histories, traditional recipes, folk music, and how people see the world differently.

Can share:
Cultural insights from India, especially Odisha; meaningful conversations over coffee; and hidden gems most tourists miss — whether it’s a poem, a village craft, or a quiet place with a view.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories from India, quirky facts about handlooms, handcrafted souvenirs from Odisha — and a lot of curiosity. I’d offer to cook, but that usually ends in minor kitchen disasters, so I’ll spare us both. I’m much better at doing the dishes, sharing good coffee, and swapping poems or playlists. And I never say no to a deep, meandering conversation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

India