Bliss in the hills

How many of us have the courage to follow our passion instead of opting for the safe route of taking up a regular job? Through this column, we share extraordinary stories of ordinary people who turned their passion into a profession.
After spending a long time in big cities, hospitality sector professionals Amarjeet and Sunita Kudle decided they no longer wanted to live an urban life.They were particularly keen to ensure a safe environment and clean air for their little bundle of joy.Further, they wished to engage in a social entrepreneurship venture. Thus came into being La Villa Bethany, a boutique homestay at Landour, famous as the abode of author Ruskin Bond, in Uttarakhand.
"We always believed that for overall development of a country, we need rural areas, too, to grow because isolated urban development alone cannot push a nation forward," says Amarjeet.
With a collective experience of 25 years in the hotel industry, the Kudles based the project on what they learnt during their tenure with different chains.Amarjeet's last posting in the hospitality sector was as head — learning and development at the Oberoi while Sunita was at ITC's sales department.
"When we decided to move to the hills, our first thoughts were focused on catalysing our strengths and sticking to the hospitality business," says Amarjeet.The transition to the rocky terrain was as smooth as it could be, he says.
"Frankly, there isn't much to miss about the cities because the air is polluted. The traffic is bumper to bumper. With round-the-clock internet services, one is almost always connected to the rest of the world even in the hills," he says. At the end of the day, breathing pollution-free air and relishing chemical-free vegetables are essential for a good life, adds Amarjeet, whose eight-year-old daughter attends a local school.
"We made the initial investment using our savings. Since then, there has been no looking back," he says.
The business reflects the couple's priorities and concerns that made them move out of Delhi. For example, the homestay not only uses renewable energy but also has a rainwater harvesting system. Further, vegetables are procured from nearby farms. "The purpose of our service is to ensure that the guest doesn't leave a big carbon footprint and the environmental impact is minimal," explains Amarjeet.
Originally from Maharashtra, the Kudles were looking for a better quality of life, which includes diverse experiences and social bonding. "We ensure that all residents eat dinner together. Thus, on any given evening, I share my dinner with people of many nationalities." Among the travellers who frequent the property are solo females."With three generations of women under one roof, most women feel at home," says Amarjeet.