To be candid, I failed to convince him during that first meeting and was rejected.
At the time, the sting of rejection didn't linger for long because my mind was occupied with the most important milestone of my personal life: marrying the love of my life, Priyanka. We tied the knot on November 30, 2006.
Then, serendipity intervened.
During a chilly Kolkata afternoon in mid-December, while on post-wedding leave, I walked into the iconic cafe The Cookie Jar for a quick bite. Out of nowhere, I ran into Abbas Sir again.
That chance encounter turned into an impromptu conversation, which quickly evolved into an interview.
This time, destiny swung in my favor: I was hired as a Manager for the Timezone centre at City Centre Mall.
That was the beginning of an unforgettable chapter. In those early years, our team was practically writing the industry playbook from scratch in India, constantly challenging ourselves to turn simple visits into magical memories for our guests.
Through it all, Abbas Sir was not just a leader; he was an exceptional mentor. He welcomed bold, out-of-the-box ideas, gave me the room to execute them, and provided a safety net when things went wrong. He once gave me a piece of advice that remains etched in my mind: "Making a mistake is not a crime, but repeating the same mistake is."
Whenever I faltered, he stood in front of me to shield me, yet whenever we succeeded, he gave me far more credit than I deserved.
Over the eight transformative years I spent under his wing, he guided me with immense patience, absolute clarity, and unmatched leadership.
Everything I understand about building experiences, leading teams, and running my own venture today—High Volt Bowling & Gaming—stems from the foundation he helped me build.
As we mark 20 years of this journey together, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact of his guidance. Right after my parents, he is someone I hold in the highest regard.
Happy Teacher’s Day, Abbas Sir . Whatever I have achieved today is deeply rooted in your wisdom, patience, and belief in me. May your blessings always continue to guide my way.
With deepest respect and gratitude,
Sourav Bose
Co-founder, High Volt Bowling & Gaming
www.highvoltgroup.com
