This 14th February, we stepped away from our desks and into a day that reminded us what teamwork looks like beyond roles and responsibilities. Our office hit pause on emails, targets, and meetings, and pressed play on something far more important: a shared experience.
At 8:30 a.m., all of us boarded a bus headed to a resort nearly fifty kilometers away. The mood? Instantly celebratory. Conversations that usually happen across workstations now flowed across bus seats. What began as light banter slowly evolved into a full-blown antakshari battle, because no Indian bus journey is ever complete without one.
The bus was unofficially divided into two halves: Team Front vs. Team Back. Soon, it turned into Old Classics vs. Gen Z Anthems. From Kishore Kumar melodies to the latest chartbusters, we sang, argued over lyrics, teased one another, and laughed like the outcome truly mattered. The energy was infectious. Just when the game was reaching its dramatic peak, we arrived.
Destination: 1.
Antakshari: Interrupted.
Welcome Bands & Breakfast Plans
We were ushered into a lush garden area, where the morning sun and open space instantly lifted everyone’s spirits. Sky-blue bands were tied around our wrists, making us feel like official participants in something exciting. A refreshing welcome drink followed, along with light stretching, casual conversations, and an enthusiastic photo session that had already filled our phone galleries.
Soon, we moved to the restaurant for breakfast.
The food was generous. The appetite? Even more so. Conversations flowed easily. People who usually exchange quick work updates now had the time to sit, eat, and talk without checking their phones.
Post-breakfast, we gathered at the indoor games hall where the resort manager briefed us about the team-bonding activities lined up on the lawn. And just like that, the competitive spirit quietly began to rise.
Team Names That Meant Business
We were divided into four teams and asked to name ourselves.
And that’s how Saavaj, Dhurandhar, Baahubali, and Khatarnaak came into existence.
Each name was announced with pride. Chants followed. Friendly rivalries were born. Dramatic introductions were made. It was clear that everyone was ready.
Game 1: The Hoop Hustle
Each team formed a circle, holding hands tightly. A hoop was locked between two people, and the challenge was simple in theory: pass the hoop around the circle without breaking the chain.
The catch? The hoop had to pass through every single team member’s body.
After a trial round filled with awkward bending and creative maneuvering, teams confidently declared the time they believed they could beat. The stopwatch began.
Saavaj finished in a lightning-fast 45 seconds, followed closely by Dhurandhar at 53 seconds. The lawn echoed with cheering, playful accusations of “cheating,” and exaggerated victory celebrations. What could have been a simple coordination task turned into a moment of collective excitement.
Game 2: The Great Electric Fence Prank
Then came the most unforgettable activity of the day.
A rope was laid out in a zigzag pattern across the lawn, the so-called “electric fence.” Two volunteers from each team stepped forward and were blindfolded. Their mission? Cross the crisscrossed rope without touching it.
They were mentally prepared. They crouched. They crawled cautiously.
Except…
Right before they began, the rope had quietly been removed.
What followed was pure comedy. Eight adults carefully navigated an obstacle that no longer existed, while the rest of us tried (and failed) to stay serious. When the blindfolds finally came off, applause, mock outrage, and loud laughter filled the lawn. It was a shared moment of harmless mischief, and perhaps the most talked-about part of the day.
Game 3: The Loop Soccer Madness
Next, the four teams merged into two larger teams.
This time, the game resembled soccer, but with a small looped rope instead of a ball. The referee would throw the loop high into the air. The rule was simple: whoever caught it had to stand frozen for five seconds, and no one could snatch it away. After that, it could be passed strategically until someone managed to loop it onto a stick held by the goalkeeper.
What followed was delightful chaos.
People sprinted across the lawn. Teammates shouted instructions. Strategies were invented and abandoned in seconds. Every goal brought instant celebration and friendly bragging rights. The lawn transformed into a field of movement, noise, and laughter.
Final Showdown: Tug of War
And then came the ultimate classic, tug of war.
No office hierarchy. No job titles. Just raw determination and questionable pulling techniques.
Some teams went all in from the first second. Others mischievously pretended to pull before letting go, creating waves of laughter. The cheering grew louder with each round. It felt like a school sports day, minus the seriousness, but with all the enthusiasm.
Feast Mode: Activated
After hours of wholehearted play, hunger struck collectively. We made our way back to the restaurant for a well-earned lunch.
Let’s just say… calories were irrelevant that day.
The meal felt even more satisfying after the energy we had spent. Conversations replayed the best moments. The teasing resurfaced. Over-the-top victory celebrations were relived. Friendly debates continued.
Free Play = Childhood Revival
Post-lunch was leisure time.
Some headed to indoor games: pool, snooker, foosball, table tennis, Jenga, and carrom. Others took to the outdoors for cricket and badminton.
What was beautiful to watch was how immersed everyone became. People who usually sit behind screens were suddenly debating pool shots and arguing over badminton scores like their reputation depended on it.
For a few hours, we weren’t professionals.
We were just… kids again.
The Bus That Turned Into a Disco
By 4:30 p.m., we were deliciously exhausted. But before wrapping up the day, we gathered once more, this time for high tea.
Waiting for us were warm cups of tea and an irresistible spread of Gujarati fritter delicacies. Crispy, comforting, and perfectly timed, the snacks felt like a reward for the energy we had poured into the day. Stories continued over plates of pakoras, and the cheerful buzz lingered a little longer.
Recharged and slightly reluctant for the day to end, we assembled again on the lawn for final group photographs: slightly sun-kissed, definitely sweat-soaked, and completely happy.
We boarded the bus to head back.
And just when we thought the day was winding down, someone played party songs.
Within minutes, the bus transformed into a moving discotheque. People were dancing in the aisle, singing loudly (again), and laughing without holding back. The energy that began in the morning had somehow returned in full force.
By the time we reached the office, we were tired, but it was the kind of tired that feels fulfilling rather than draining.
We said our goodbyes with full hearts and heavier phone galleries.
More Than Just a Picnic
Somewhere between the games, the shared meals, and the unfiltered moments, something subtle happened. It wasn’t just a day out.
It was a reminder that behind every role and responsibility is a human being who needs to laugh loudly, run wildly, eat freely, and celebrate wholeheartedly once in a while.
Sometimes, stepping fifty kilometers away from our desks helps us return stronger, not just as colleagues, but as a team.
And for one entire Saturday, we did exactly that.
