AI for Everyone Until It Breaks

After years of “everyone can use AI”

A few years ago, many organizations embraced the idea that AI should be democratized. Give every team access to models, data, and tooling. Let product teams experiment freely. Innovation would flow organically, and intelligence would diffuse across the organization.

For a while, it seemed to work. Prototypes shipped quickly. Teams integrated AI into internal tools. Demos multiplied. AI felt everywhere.

Then production reality set in.

Decentralization worked in theory, but AI systems behave less like libraries and more like living services. Outputs are probabilistic. Latencies vary. Prompts drift. Model updates introduce silent regressions. Teams built parallel inference pipelines, sometimes using GPT-4 via API, sometimes smaller open-source models on Kubernetes, sometimes a mix of vector search for retrieval-augmented generation.

The result: inconsistent outputs, unexpected costs, and operational blind spots. A single “model update” could break multiple products, but no one team had full visibility into where and how AI was actually running.

This is where the quiet re-centralization began.

Not as a top-down decree, but as a practical solution. Organizations started pulling responsibilities into a central AI platform team:

• Model governance: Standardizing which models are production-ready, tracking versions, and rolling updates safely.
• Prompt and embedding management: Central storage of canonical prompts and embeddings, with versioning and testing pipelines.
• Inference infrastructure: Shared deployment via APIs or service meshes, caching layers, rate limiting, GPU utilization tracking, and cost monitoring.
• Observability and monitoring: Automatic logging of inputs, outputs, latency, hallucinations, and drift detection.
• Data and feedback loops: Coordinating training data collection and labeling to ensure learning signals are consistent across products.

Product teams now consume AI via standardized APIs or internal SDKs, focusing on integrating outputs into workflows rather than managing model lifecycle or infrastructure. This centralization ensures consistency, reliability, and controllable operational costs.

The shift is not a retreat from democratization. Early experimentation was essential for learning and innovation. Re-centralization is a response to complexity, cost, and trust at scale. It transforms AI from a “playground” into a production-grade platform.

The pattern is familiar. Databases, cloud infrastructure, and feature stores went through similar cycles. AI is simply reaching this stage faster, driven by model volatility, multi-cloud deployments, prompt drift, and high inference costs.

At a large SaaS company, each product team independently integrated LLMs for chat and search features. Some used GPT-4 via API, some used open-source models deployed on Kubernetes, some relied on in-house embeddings stored in Elasticsearch. Evaluation metrics varied across teams. Logging and monitoring were ad hoc.

Within six months, production problems emerged:

• Customers saw inconsistent answers across products.
• Latency fluctuated between <100ms and >1s depending on the model and pipeline.
• Monthly inference costs tripled without clear attribution.
• When OpenAI deployed a GPT-4 update, some pipelines regressed while others remained unaffected. Debugging was painful because prompts, embeddings, and model versions were scattered.

The resolution was centralization via a core AI platform team:

• Standardized model registry and versioning across all products.
• Canonical prompts and embeddings stored in a shared service.
• Shared inference pipelines with caching layers, rate-limiting, and monitoring dashboards.
• Automated alerting on hallucinations, latency spikes, and drift.

After centralization: production stability improved, costs became predictable, and product teams were freed to focus on domain logic rather than model maintenance. The AI systems became a reliable service rather than a collection of independent experiments.

#AI #MLOps #AIInfrastructure #TechLeadership #Founders #MachineLearning #LLM #PlatformEngineering

Most Dangerous Carb

The most dangerous carb in the world isn't sugar. It’s something you drink every day.

And it's worse than sugar even though it doesn't taste sweet. 

The ingredient? Maltodextrin.

Glycemic Index (GI):

• Maltodextrin: 106–136

• Table sugar: 65

• White bread: 75

• Coke: 63

Read that again. The “sugar-free” instant coffee you drink every morning can spike insulin FASTER than table sugar or Coke. But the label says: "No added sugar". How is this legal?

Here's the loophole:

FSSAI defines "sugar" as:

• Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose)

• Disaccharides (sucrose, lactose)

Maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide.

So legally:

• Labels can say "No added sugar"
• “Companies can claim "sugar-free"
• Marketed as "healthier choice"

But metabolically:

• Breaks down into glucose within seconds
• Spikes blood sugar faster than table sugar
• Triggers a massive insulin response

Technically correct. Metabolically disastrous.

Maltodextrin is in 90% of processed foods:

• Instant flavored coffees/tea

• "Sugar-free" foods

• Nutrition bars

• "Healthy" cereals

• Flavored yogurt

• Protein powders

• Trail mix

• Salad dressings

Maltodextrin hides under many names:

• "Maltodextrin"

• "Modified starch"

• "Corn syrup solids"

• "Dextrose"

• "Nature identical flavoring"

Why food companies use it:

• Extremely cheap

• Improves texture

• Binds ingredients

• Extends shelf life

• Doesn't count as "added sugar"

Companies maximize profit. Your metabolism pays the price.

This is how people end up with:

• Insulin resistance

• High cholesterol

• Belly fat & weight gain

• Energy crashes

• Sugar cravings

• Eventually: Type 2 diabetes

India right now has:

• 77 million diabetics

• 136 million pre-diabetics

• Millions already insulin resistant

While drinking "sugar-free" tea/coffee every morning.

The food industry isn't lying. They're using legal loopholes. "No added sugar" is technically true. "Spikes insulin worse than sugar" is metabolically true.

What to do:

1. Read ingredient lists , not just nutrition labels

2. If you see maltodextrin OR any of its aliases → put it back

3. Choose products with real, pronounceable ingredients

4. Avoid instant and flavored versions, choose pure, whole foods

Quick question:

What instant coffee or tea brand do you use daily?

Retail AI loves discounts. Your CFO doesn’t

AI recommendation engines are one of retail’s biggest success stories. They personalize at scale, boost engagement, lift conversion, and make revenue charts trend in all the right directions. Leadership sees growth, teams celebrate adoption, and the algorithm gets more traffic.

Then the quarter closes.

Revenue is up, but profit is thinner.

Margins feel squeezed, but no one can quite point to why.

The AI “worked”… so where did the money go?

This is the quiet margin killer hiding inside many recommendation systems.

Most retail AI is trained to optimize what’s easy to measure: clicks, add-to-cart events, and conversion rates. The model learns fast. Discounted products convert better than full-price ones. Familiar SKUs outperform new launches. Low-margin bestsellers generate reliable engagement.

So the engine does what it’s told. It aggressively pushes discounted items, repeatedly surfaces the same high-velocity SKUs, and sidelines higher-margin alternatives that don’t convert as instantly. It doesn’t know, or care, that a slightly lower-converting product might be far more profitable. It ignores inventory holding costs, supplier funding rules, and the long-term impact of training customers to wait for discounts.

The result is a dangerous illusion of success.

Top-line revenue grows. Engagement metrics look healthy. But margin erodes underneath. High-margin products get cannibalized. Inventory ages in warehouses. Finance teams start asking why growth no longer translates into profit, and the AI team struggles to explain, because technically, the model is performing “better than ever.”

The failure here isn’t bad AI. It’s narrow optimization.

Recommendation engines are usually blind to business economics. They don’t understand contribution margin. They don’t see inventory decay. They don’t factor in supplier rebates, co-op funding, or fulfillment costs. Click-through rate becomes the north star, even though CTR has no concept of profit.

Fixing this doesn’t mean ripping out personalization. It means redefining success.

Retailers who course-correct move toward multi-objective optimization. Instead of ranking products purely by likelihood to convert, they balance relevance with margin, inventory age, and supplier economics. Constraints are baked directly into ranking models, minimum margin thresholds, discount caps, exposure limits for low-profit SKUs. The AI still personalizes, but within guardrails that protect the business.

Equally important, mature teams introduce regular profit sanity checks. Not just A/B tests on clicks, but deliberate reviews that ask: Are our AI recommendations making us money, or just activity? When recommendations drift toward margin-destructive behavior, they’re corrected before the P&L takes the hit.

This is why this topic resonates so strongly with executives. They already feel it. They see the contradiction between “AI success” and shrinking profitability. What’s been missing is a clear articulation of the problem, and a practical path to fix it without killing growth.

AI doesn’t ruin retail margins.

Optimizing the wrong objective does.

A large global apparel retailer deployed an AI recommendation engine across its website and email campaigns. Within months, conversion rates climbed sharply and online revenue hit record highs. Leadership initially viewed the rollout as a clear win.

However, gross margin dropped by nearly four percentage points year over year.

A detailed analysis revealed the issue: the AI had learned that discounted items converted far better than full-price products. As a result, it aggressively promoted sale items, even when full-margin alternatives were available and relevant. New seasonal collections were cannibalized, while older inventory with growing holding costs sat untouched.

The retailer recalibrated the system. Margin contribution was added as a core ranking signal, inventory age was factored into product prioritization, and supplier-funded promotions were weighted more heavily than retailer-funded discounts. They also instituted monthly reviews where merchandising and finance teams audited AI recommendations for profit impact.

Conversion dipped slightly, but gross margin recovered, inventory write-downs fell, and overall profitability improved. The AI didn’t become less effective. It became more aligned with the business.

#Retail #Ecommerce #AI #RetailTech #Profitability #DigitalTransformation #Merchandising

Children : Need Protein Shakes?

A lot of parents ponder whether 12–13-year-old children should be given protein shakes. The answer is simple and often misunderstood. 

There are only three situations where protein supplementation may be indicated for children 

1. Special children ↳ Children where there is a gap in the mind–body connection and cognitive ability is lower. They may not be able to express hunger or satiety clearly, leading to overeating and unhealthy weight gain. For many such children, even above 100 kg. In these cases, 20–30 g of protein per day can be helpful. 

2. Highly athletic children ↳ Not every child who cycles or plays for 30–45 minutes needs a protein shake. Protein is relevant only when a child is training seriously 4+ hours a day, aiming for a sports career, and undergoing specialized training. 

3. Severe obesity ↳ When BMI crosses 35–40, there is often a genuine protein shortfall. Protein can be used to bridge that gap but short term, not lifelong. For 99.9% of children, extra protein supplements are unnecessary. 

What they truly need is around 500 additional calories from regular food to support height, maturity, and overall development. Targeted nutrition is not needed for most children. Only for special situations.  Awareness is where change begins.

Courtesy: Dr. Malhar Ganla

Is Milk the Best Source of Calcium?

India drinks milk... A lot of it. 

In fact, we are the largest producers and consumers of milk in the world. Per person, India consumes ~427 grams of milk daily. The global average? Just 310 grams. 

And yet… India contributes 25% of the world’s osteoporosis cases nearly 5 crore out of 20 crore globally, despite having less than 18% of the world’s population. 

So something doesn’t add up. 

Here’s the uncomfortable truth Milk having calcium does not automatically mean strong bones. Why?

 1. Acid load 

↳  Our typical morning routine milk, tea, breakfast increases the body’s acid load. When blood pH drops below its ideal 7.4, the body pulls calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from bones to neutralize it. Result? Calcium loss, not gain. 

2. Poor absorption 

↳  Many people are unknowingly lactose intolerant. Bloating, gas, discomfort after milk and relief when milk is stopped are clear signs. If you can’t digest it, you can’t absorb its calcium. 

3. Vitamin D deficiency 

↳  Nearly 80–90% of Indians are Vitamin D deficient. Without Vitamin D, calcium absorption and bone strengthening simply don’t work regardless of how much milk you drink. 

Now the biggest myth to bust 

Milk contains only ~120 mg calcium per 100 g. Compare that with 

↳ Green leafy vegetables: 200+ mg 

↳ Almonds: 250+ mg 

↳ Tofu: 350–680 mg 

↳ Chia / Sabja seeds: ~630 mg 

↳ Sesame seeds (til): ~975 mg per 100 g 

The calcium you get from 100 ml of milk can be matched by less than 2.5 teaspoons of sesame seeds. Milk has calcium- yes. But believing milk alone builds strong bones? That illusion needs to go. Shift your focus to seeds, leafy greens, almonds, tofu, and fix absorption not just intake. Strong bones are built by biology, not by beliefs. 

Courtesy: Dr. Pramod Tripathi

Trekking the Himalayan Spike: A Soulful Ascent Over Buran Ghati Pass

Another winter trek but by no means a walk over. A little different this time, as I was not physically or mentally prepared to do one. However, the excitement of being away into the Himalayan wilderness inspired me on. The journey started with a quiet flight to Chandigarh from Hyderabad on 10th October morning with three other trek mates from my community. A journey that was memorable not just for the fun and frolic but definitely for the emotionally charged trek that this turned out to be.

Burhan Ghati - The Summit

With Trek Participants at the Successful Summit

We reached the airport in Hyderabad way before time. We had the sumptuous Idli at the famous Minerva Coffee Shop. 

We landed 30 minutes before time. The Shahid Bhagat Singh Airport in Chandigarh is a small, quiet yet aesthetically built one to give a local look. The small thelas like joints for Chai in a kulhad, pani puri (onion special) etc., already fed into my excitement and of course appetite. Chandigarh did excite me much rather fell short of my expectation of a very well-planned city.

 

We quickly got onto a Cab for a 4-hour road journey to Shimla. we stopped by at a roadside Dhaba - Kaka Vaishnu Dhabha and were very strikingly astonished to get this jute woven cot(Charpaayi or Khatiya as its locally called) to have our lunch. It took me back in time of my childhood days in Faridabad. 

We checked into Shalom back packers and were surprised with the level of hospitality and care for tourist's comfort that the staff was trained at.  It's a small yet catered to all kinds of demands from the trekkers. Most of the participants on this trek had stopped by here.

Some wall cladded flowering plants at its reception below.

It was not cold, so we got ready in normal attire for a pleasant Saturday evening tour of Shimla. We took the 2 elevators that took us up to Mall road in approximately 10 minutes (amazing idea by SMC). 

Shimla is a bustling place, and I am not talking about just Mall Road, even old Shimla bus stop is crowded with people and trekkers alike. We had a good time in the evening at mall road amidst the mixture of shops to street hawkers. 

The Buran Ghati Pass trek is a 7‑day (6 nights) adventure in Himachal Pradesh, India, covering approximately 50+kms and reaching a maximum altitude of ~15,000 feet (≈4,550 m). I embarked on this trek from 11th October to 17th October perfect timing in mid‑autumn when the forests and meadows are turning gold, the air crisp, and the vistas clear. This trail takes you through dense Himalayan forests (birch, pine, oak), expansive meadows (notably Dayara), remote high‑altitude campsites, glacial lakes (such as the Chandranahan Lake), and finally over the pass itself into a descending valley. Let's explore this wonderful journey into the Himalayan spike as I relive the exhilarating experience of this emotionally charged trek, the summit and the pass.

Day 1: 11^th October 2025(Saturday): Shimla → Janglik (Drive)

We started early from the meeting point at Shimla Old Bus Stand (reporting ~5:30 am as per itinerary) and drove about 160 km (~9‑10 hours) to Janglik (altitude ~2,800 m/9,200 ft). We were instructed to arrange bags for the trek here on literally the road (in fact an old bus stand). Nothing was in order here, the TTH organizers were not bothered to be around. Neither the rental gear arrangement nor the transportation arrangement was apt. Nobody had a clue, confusion prevailed but we were finally happy to get onto the tempo traveler and off we were on the road to Janglik.

View from the old Shimla bus stop

    

Inside the Tempo Traveller

We had a quick stop for breakfast of Paranthas and Black Chana Daal with some sandwiches. 

At the Restaurant for Breakfast

The drive itself is scenic: from Shimla past Rohru, along the Pabbar river, through pine and oak woods, tiny hamlets, and gradually up to the base of the trail. 

We stopped by for Lunch a local restaurant. Our first experience for location north Indian food. Nice food and good service. I personally felt that the smaller joints are better at hospitality and local taste was all that you could savour.

We stopped by at one of the banks of the Pabbar river where everybody enjoyed the sound of trickling water of the river in bright sunny weather. A scene that you could behold.

The last mobile network point is around Rohru, so any last‑minute caches (ATM/phone calls) should be done there. The mood throughout was of excitement mixed with a bit of fatigue from the long drive. The tempo traveler dropped us about a Km away from the guest house. The first surprise here was that we were loaded into a pickup truck like cattle and then driven down to the guest house. Laughs, turmoil and excitement prevailed.

    

We checked into the guesthouse/camp in Janglik. My suggestion is that one should use this day to relax, hydrate well, and ease into the altitude. Ensure you have a comfortable sleeping setup, warm dry clothes, and pack light for the trekking phase.

The excitement for the next day was all in. We were not able to contain it, the air was chilly, we went out for a short walk into apple orchids. See below, all that you see in RED are apples. 

 Beautiful views of the mountain ranges, quite a breeze. Hot chai and some tit bits (be aware of the expiry dates pls).

There was an official briefing (quick medical check) followed by dinner. We went to bed early. The wind was chilling enough to keep us dress with at least two layers. Tomorrow, the actual trek starts and a little early after breakfast.

Was not really impressed with the team control of the trek leads, their conversations were not particularly confidence building at all.  They were all over the place. However, in the mountains, you need to keep your expectations low and go with the crowd.

Day 2: 12^th October 2025(Sunday): Janglik → Dayara Thatch

Distance ~6‑7 km, ~5‑6 hrs.; altitude gain to ~3,400 m (11,150 ft).

The trail starts from Janglik through wheat fields bordered by mud huts, then enters pine/oak forest, climbs gradually. After emerging from the tree line, you step into the vast meadows of Dayara highlight. Our campsite “Dayara Thatch” sits amidst the meadows, surrounded by snow‑capped mountains.

Walking into that meadow felt almost surreal, the green grass, the lingering chill in the air, horses grazing in the distance, the expansive sky. 

It was one of the sweetest and swiftest climbs. The views through the pines were breathtaking. As on the first day of the trek, the usual one-off intros, sharing of snacks, water at times and aligning with others at the admiration of nature's beauty. 

You can't complete a trek without a stop at a local Maggi point. Funny side was a sheep was being de-skinned at this site in close proximity. We first thought it was just a practice of removing the wool but later we realized it was being cut for meat. The lines from the famous movie song from "3 Idiots" reverberated (Bakra kya jaane uski jaan ka kya hoga, Seekh ghusegi ya saala keema hoga) :-)

When you arrive at Dayara, take time to absorb the meadows (and take photos!). The climb was moderate but steady.

The views on this surprisingly sunny day were awesome to say the least. This was just a trailer to all the breathtaking views that we would be up for in the next few days. And the mountains/trek didn't fail us at all.

We reached the camp site at about 130 pm in the afternoon. 

The campsite was placed at one of the most picturesque locations possible. Already we had views of snow packed mountain peaks. It gave us a glimpse of what's in store for the next four days of this trek.

My group: Ram, Abhishek & Vikky

It was a pretty laid-back day. There were strict instructions not to go far away from the camp as Black bears were very prevalent in these areas.

The teams had a quick lunch then we all enjoyed the quiet afternoon playing "Mafia" game. It was something that probably worked very well in preparing the camaraderie across the team members. We got to know each other far better after the game. Saurav particularly was very instrumental in keeping the spirits of the people high.

Saurav

Saurav also came up with a quick puzzle based on vocabulary and actions and he challenged all of us that this puzzle will keep us all interested till the end of the trek and surprisingly the puzzle kept us intrigued and of course we were not able to solve it till the last day of the trek.

There was a small acclimatization climb in the evening of about 100 meters, after which we quietly mellowed down into a quick dinner and off to our tents to sleep.

Day 3: 13th October (Monday): Dayara Thatch → Litham

Distance ~4‑5 km, ~3‑4 hrs.; altitude ~3,600 m (11,800 ft).

A shorter day, giving a nice break and chance to soak in the scenery. The trail meanders through forest, meadows, streams, and the striking silver birch trees. As you descend slightly towards Litham, you get views of the snout of Chandranahan and the waterfall.

The day started early as usual. It was a short trek, but the day was sunny as usual. The morning views of the mountain range were nothing less breathtaking than the previous evening.    

The Silver birch forest was a surprise, ethereal light through the gnarled trunks, a sense of calm. Arriving at Litham felt restful, yet the environment hinted at the steeper days ahead. It was trail where we were forced to use the shorter trek time to rest well, get your gear sorted (especially for higher altitude), and enjoy the surroundings. Drinking enough water helps for sure.

Playing with snow was an awesome feeling.

Long drawn trail that you can see below. But wonderful trek none the less, given the perfect weather for this walk. Beautiful views kept all of us interested. Friendly occasional banter kept us all in the right vein.

Vikky

We reached the camp site at about 230pm in the afternoon. The day was still bright, but it didn't take long before the cold, spine-chilling evening came into existence just after 330pm as the sun light gave way to larger than life shadows of the different mountain ranges that surrounded the campsite.

Ram & Abhishek

We spent two complete days at this camp site because the next day was an acclimatization trek to Chandranahan lake and back. Anyone could get mesmerized in this place. You could just take pictures from any angle and any side, and I am sure you will end up capturing a snap for the albums.

View from inside the tent at the camp site

We went for an acclimatization climb of about 200 meters in the evening. 

It was pretty cold. The sun was setting down. 3 layers on. It was hard to keep yourself outside in this weather. However, the snow-clad mountain captures in the evening sun quickly turned from snow white to yellow to complete orangish as if the entire mountain was on fire.

It was time to save energies for the next day. Had a quick dinner which was sumptuous as usual. The cooking staff took good care of all of us. They were timely and tasty for sure. There was Gol-Gappas (Pani-puris) served at this camp site and nothing to beat this.

Gol-Gappas

Day 4: 14th October (Tuesday): Acclimatization Day → Chandranahan Lake & back

Chandranahan Lake (altitude ~4,023 m /13,200 feet) - Trek ~6 km both ways, ~6‑7 hrs

An Acclimatization loop to Chandranahan lake and back to Litham. The lake is glacial, fed by snowfields and surrounded by waterfalls. We crossed streams and climbed out of the trees to the ridge before reaching the lake. The ridge was an extreme steep climb, crossing the waterfall. The day started early as usual. The sun was not out yet when we woke up so the chill was on.

It was extremely sunny, so the 2 layers gave way. Couldn't complain about the weather on this entire trek, which would quickly change on the last 2 days.

Once you are at the camp, temperatures are pretty normal, but as the sunlight diminishes, there is chill in the air which quickly becomes unbearable. We tried to spend most of our time outdoors, climbing up whatever smalls climbs we could see in the surrounding.

Chandranahan lake is considered sacred in the local tribe/culture. Nobody is allowed to visit the lake with footwear. So, we all had removed our shoes, and yes we were walking on ankle length snow on bare foot. It's a set of 7 lakes and we would only visit the first one. The myth goes that only people pure at heart would get to the 7th one.  The story goes something like this, that Lord Shiva had stopped by at this lake to take a bath (Nahana in Hindi) and during the process, the crescent moon(Chandra in Hindi) in his tresses - fell down here and a small piece of it broke and is still in the lake. 

This was a standout day. The silence at the lake, the crisp air, the panoramic view of snout, the feeling of being “above the world”. It reaffirmed why the Buran Ghati trek is so special.

The descent was far steeper. It took a hell lot of effort to climb the entire ridge however, the climb down is usually the harder part of any trek.

The night sky is astonishing with spectacular views of the stars, some milky ways and some outstanding captures by the fellow trekkers. Even the sunrise and sunset views are ones to behold.

A low intensity earthquake happened here. I was aware of seismic activity in the Himalayan ranges but fortunately didn't experience it so far. This time also I didn't feel it, but a couple of the trekkers came out of their tents to mention it to fellow trekkers out there. A little anxiety prevailed for a brief period of time. Start early, carry 2 litres of water, snacks, and warm layers for the lake area (wind picks up). Avoid heavy exertion after lunch; listen to your body.

Day 5: 15th October (Wednesday): Litham → Dhunda

Distance ~4‑5 km, ~4‑5 hrs.; altitude ~4,000 m /13,100 ft.

The day started early but it was definitely one of easier part of the trek. Although the entire journey was in snow, but it was all comfortable landscape to trek in. The weather had gone colder, and the Layers had come out vividly. A moderate ascent from Litham to Dhunda. From Dhunda you already get clear views of the pass and surrounding peaks. The campsite perched among snow‑clad ridges is truly alpine.

 

The feeling of “we’re getting higher now” became real. The view of the Dhauladhar range from Dhunda was particularly memorable. The campsite environment (thin air, twilight early) reminded us to stay warm and rested.

The view was exemplary. It was snow everywhere. We spent a good 30 minutes here capturing the mountainous beauty to our heart content.

We reached the campsite early at around 330pm. The camps were all set on snow literally. It was on a slope and the buran ghati pass was clearly visible from here. The pass looked easy, but little did we understand the complex ascent that it turned out to be the next day morning.

The first feeling was a little scary as this whole campsite was set on a slanting mountain side. It was a little cloudy but very windy and any slight avalanche from the mountain top would take us into its fury. 

We spent some time resting as the next day was going to be extremely challenging. Ours was the first group this season to try the summit and pass it as well. All other groups had done the summit but then couldn't continue with the pass due to extreme snowy conditions. One other bad news that was shared with us was that our bags will not come with us over the pass but will be handed 1 day later at the Barua Village.

There was a sumptuous lunch that we had in the early evening. A very detailed briefing was given to us for the next day as it was going to be difficult. More complicated trek, more gear came along. The trek team handed over a helmet (as any fall could be fatal), a gaiter (to be worn around the ankle and lower leg) and elastic spikes (to be worn around the shoes)

We had an early dinner with the instructions that everybody has to get up by 1am and the trek would commence in pitch darkness at about 230am. 

Day 6: 16th October (Thursday): Dhunda → Munirang via Buran Ghati Pass

Distance ~8 km (10‑11 hrs. approx.); ascent to pass ~4,550 m (~15,000 ft) then descent to Munirang (~3,400 m /11,100 ft).

The weather was challenging. The temperatures close to about -5/-6 degree Celsius. We woke up on time and there was some spread at the breakfast table. For the first time, I guess I ate a lot, including Maggi as I wanted to eat something hot. It was shivering cold and the anxiousness was in the air. 

First time in my trekking career, I was trying to summit at 230am in the morning with headlamps on. Plus, the terrain was all snow. The ascent was all boulders and all laden with snow. One slip, one wrong step could turn out to be tragic not just for you but to the trekkers who are following you.

Every step was hence taken with all the more caution. Breathing was becoming difficult both for the cold weather and the iota of anxiousness in your steps. The feeling was really mixed; I am pretty sure most of the trekkers had definitely tried to question their decision to do this trek at this moment. As it was making you push your body to the utmost limits.

This was the toughest but most rewarding day. The trail out of Dhunda becomes steeper, you cross boulders, then the base of the pass, then climb up to the summit of the pass.

We reached the summit at about 545 am in the morning. All tired, all come over with emotions. All thinking that we survived to live another day. And really it was that bad. Most of the trekkers couldn't control the overwhelming emotional thoughts that came along. 

This summit will live in my memory for an eternity. The trekkers adrenaline that people have come to talk about was here for all to see. 

The ascent was done. Summit achieved. All congratulatory messages shared. Hugs and hoorays were all around. Picture with close friends at the summit below.

But what laid ahead in terms of the pass and the descent on the other side of the summit was sending jitters down the spines of most of the trekkers. We put on our gear - helmet, spikes and gaiter. As there was so much powder snow that the descent has no view of the trail. 

The trek leads had to literally dig out the pathway through this deep descent and the initial steps were taken by each trekker like a toddler (holding trek lead's hand)

The first stop after the summit pass. You can see the summit in a distance. A sigh of relief

The descent was slow but a pretty long one. It was all laden with snow. It was slips, falls, all kinds of issues I had never faced before in any of the treks. This was the most difficult part of the entire trek. A slow, cautious steps at every nook and corner was eating into my patience. Plus, the past 3 hours of trek in knee deep snow had already taken a toll on the feet (all soaked inside the shoe). I don't think there was any frost bite, but I am pretty sure they all my toes had taken a beating for sure. 

From the pass the descent is challenging (narrow ledges, snow patches) before reaching the river camp at Munirang.

Standing at the top of the pass, looking back at the trail climbed and the valley ahead, felt incredible. Yet the descent demanded full concentration, ice, ledges, drops. The river camp felt like a huge reward. I remember the cold breeze, the sense of relief, the camaraderie.

We spent some resting time in the tent. We also were relaxing as the trek was almost done. We played cards inside the tent. We also carried some snacks into the tent while were playing cards.

All the trekkers had the certification distribution ceremony. A lot of good/bad was shared about the trek and the support team. Congratulations messages were all around. I think this night was the most satisfying night of sleep that one could have. No fresh clothes to change into, most of the attire was either wet or in some state of inconvenience. But that how mountainous life is.

Day 7: 17th October (Friday): Munirang → Barua Village → Drive to Shimla

Distance ~5‑6 km (~2‑3 hrs) descent to Barua Village (~2,300 m /7,700 ft), then drive back to Shimla (arriving ~10‑11 pm per plan).

We started the day a little late this morning. However, the descent was quite easy, only that the beaten-up toes were making it uncomfortable for sure. 

We trekked through different orchids. Dammy fruit (Cousin of peach), apples (red and yellow), walnuts trees and the feelings were surreal to say the least.

The descent is a mix of forest trails, a stream crossing with a makeshift bridge, apple orchards approaching Barua, and eventually the roadhead. From Barua we drove back to Shimla.

Reflections: A bittersweet morning the trail felt easier, you’re walking more on familiar ground, but also aware the trek is ending. Reaching Barua and seeing orchards and signs of village life felt like “re‑entry” into civilization. The drive back in the evening under stars and mountain silhouettes was peaceful. Even though it’s a descent, don’t let your guard down slippery patches, loose soil. Maintain pace, use poles. Celebrate you’ve done it!

We boarded a Mahindra Bolero from Barua village and on the way had a sumptuous north Indian food, probably ate to our mind's delight. We reached Shimla around 9PM. That bath after the return I will remember for my entire life. Spent close to 20 minutes in hot shower, cleaning every inch of my body and of course trying to stave of all the aches and pains that were part of me for the past 3 days.

The youngsters in the trek group who were all put up at the same hotel, arranged for a celebration and how could I miss that. It was laughs, banter, appreciation, tales of the horrid experiences on the trek but nothing could beat the spirits that were pouring around.

 Call it a day at around 12midnight, exceedingly happy, felted rested but with a very calm demeanor hit the sack.

Day 8: 18th October (Saturday): Shimla Hotel → Drive to Chandigarh → Fly Back to Hyderabad

I had a wonderful night sleep and woke up early. Simla views in the early mornings are very beautiful. The place is extremely populated/commercial but yet the mountain ranges around give it a very scenic view. I sat at the breakfast table and found solace in 'Maniraj Parihar's 'Hari bol'' song that was playing. It was so nice and I was spell bound for some time. It made me forget the tiredness from the trek, soothed the mind to a certain degree.

We were just so overwhelmed with physical exertion, emotional charge for the past 2 days that we preponed our flight to Hyderabad the next day and started back to Hyderabad with a 255pm Indigo flight. 

We started at 815am from the hotel and took a cab to the airport. There was a celebration time at the airport in the eatery. It was well deserved for sure.

On the way, we stopped for a quick tea (place suggested by the driver) - discarded the tea as it was not great.

Walking through the varied landscapes of the Buran Ghati Pass trail from dense forests to wide meadows, jagged ridges, snow‑ledges and glacial lake gives you more than just a physical experience; it’s a mental journey too. 

On this trek (11‑17 October) I felt my sense of wonder re‑activated: the crisp alpine air, the silence at dawn, the hum of the river, the feeling of elevation, the thrill of the pass, the descent into valley, all combine to create a memory that lingers. Trekking is not just about “getting to the top” but about the day‑to‑day: the campfires, the shared laughter, the tired legs, the quiet moments of awe, the patience needed. On reaching the pass I realized how much the days of build‑up contributed to the sense of achievement.

I also learnt to appreciate the “descent” days the walk back to Barua, the orchards, the normal‑life signs reminding me that every ascent has its graceful descent.

In short: If you’re looking for a trek that combines scenic beauty + moderate to difficult challenge + remote Himalayan culture, this one is a strong contender.

Final Thoughts

If someone asked me, “Is the Buran Ghati Pass trek worth it?”, I’d say absolutely yes especially in mid‑October when the weather cooperates, the meadows glow, the views are crisp and the crowds thinner.

For me (the 11–17 October group), I carried enough memories: crisp morning walks, stars at camp, the snow‑ledges near the pass, the sense of elevation high up, the relief and joy of descent, the welcome of village life again.

Would I do it again? Yes, because every trek offers different moods; I’d love to revisit during the summer months as the snow will be harder - rappeling on and additional adventures in store, more time for photography, and maybe a little side‑exploration.

Trekking in general and the feel in the Indian side of the Himalayan peaks has given me four learnings or should I say grounded me with feelings that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Gratitude: "You’re not climbing the mountain; it's the mountain that’s allowing you to climb itself”! My local trek guide’s proverb set the spirit for the next 5 days. Be thankful, respect nature and its every pebble and rock that you step on, because that’s what is helping you reach the summit.

Sustainability: “Leaving mountains better than we found them” was the motto of our trek team led by trek the Himalayas. We strictly didn’t carry/leave any non-biodegradable disposables; reused our wares; did a green-sweep, collected waste left by others where we could. Small contribution when we see glaciers receding, makes you learn the art, criticality and urgency of sustainable living!

Humility: The deeper you go, the more awe struck you get with the vastness of Himalayas. Makes you realize, “There you explore, you only get to know that there’s so much more that you don’t know!” Helps throw our egos aside, teaching us to be lifelong students.

Challenging the limits: "There's nothing more dangerous than a moderate mountain", I’ve heard everybody allude to this quote, from the book "Beyond the Summit" - and when I picked this decently difficult trek - from prep to execution and finally the rush when you reach the buran ghati summit - ‘literally’ proved what it meant. From planning to pivoting to teamwork to vulnerabilities - harder mountain offers greater transformation

Conviction & Realization: Finally, looking back, I realize that "It’s not about the physical mountain we’re climbing, it’s about the mountain within, that we climb". Our inner conviction, ‘can-do’ belief and ability to cross our internal barriers are often a bigger hurdle, than the physical mountain itself.