44 questions with Sumala Chowdhury
Publish : 24 Aug 2016, 18:20
The director and chief operating officer of Tiger Tours Limited is hardly considered to be the average lady. A workaholic by nature and traveler by passion, we took a closer look at the little things which make Sumala Chowdhury the success she is. Best thing about working at Tiger Tours?Exploring Bangladesh and travelling to places that only a few know about. One question you wish people would stop asking you?“Oh you have a boat, so you do Sundarbans trips right?” River destination is not limited to just the mangrove forests!One quality of yours that people underestimate?My unfaltering conviction because I am always goofing around, people often don’t get how serious I can be. One talent you wish you had?I wish I could play a musical instrument.Favourite band of all time?Roxette.One thing you still have from your childhood?My Disney sleeping bag that my parents bought for me when I was about a year old.Favourite cartoon or TV show?FRIENDS.Favourite vacation spot?North Bengal, primarily Naogaon, Bogra and Paharpur, and Kathmandu, Nepal.The one vehicle you would tour the world with?Umm, no idea. I really don’t know much about cars, but it would be interesting to do a road trip covering parts of India, Nepal and Burma in a trailer.What travel trend do you hope doesn't exist in the next few years?The first step to blurring borders is making movement easier. I really hope that travel is made easier with simpler visa processes.One thing in your office you've had the longest?Ptolemy’s map that clearly marks the rivers and Ramu. It hangs in my dad’s office.If you had to choose an alternate career, what would it be?I really don’t know what I would do, but I would never be anywhere but here. I would probably work in the education sector (my special interest being early childhood development).What's the happiest colour for you?Red. It was a colour that my favorite aunt, Samar, always sported. Her house was full of things that were red. Red to me is her, and she is love and courage to me.Your favourite app?The Facebook page manager, it makes life easier for me and of course Google Map (I can never be lost).If you had one superpower what would it be?The ability to heal people.Your absolute biggest phobia?I am petrified of dogs because I was chased by a dog when I was little. Other than that, I fear nothing.How do you like your coffee?I really don’t like coffee. Coffee is “bideshi.” I love tea, particularly milk tea at road side stalls, and of course, outside Dhaka.Favourite and least favourite food?I love anything that has been prepared well. I am really not into trying anything out of the box like snakes, snails etc.If you could meet one historical figure who would it be?Master Surja Sen.Biggest surprise you ever had?My Macbook Air from my parents on my birthday.Best surprise you ever planned for?The surprise birthday party for my cousin Sadi Abdullah, when he turned 50. It was very exciting. Was a lot of work, but was so worth it in the end.As a COO, what is one lesson you learnt that you want to share with everyone?Being kind (not to be confused with being stupid) more often pays off better than being smart.What's the best way to decompress?Be with people you love and can be silly with.What's one thing you always carry with you, other than your phone?My Mont Blanc pen that my father gave me when I first joined Tiger Tours Limited.The most dangerous thing you've ever done?Driving my friends car one night from Gulshan 2 to Gulshan 1. It would be important to say that I don’t know how to drive, really, and my driving instructor had specifically told me never ever to drive because my driving is so dangerous.Your favourite lyrics of all time?Amar kichhu kotha chhilo, tomar bolar, kebol tomai, jei naa ami thot nerechhi, shei kotha taa toliyay gelo, ei shomoiy er shobdo tolai.One bad habit you wish you could change?I wish I could be calmer.What are you most excited about these days?We are looking to invest in a vessel based in Aricha that will cover upper Padma and Jamuna. It will completely change the way people view river travel in Bangladesh.Favourite country to visit?Nepal. It always feels like home.The last movie that made you cry?Can’t remember, but I cry quite easily when I am watching films.If there's one thing missing in your life, what is it?Free time. These days life is a constant juggling act. The first thing you notice about a person?Their eyes and their hands.How do you spend your weekends?I have one day weekends. There’s no fixed way that it goes. That one free day is hardly ever free really (laughs). But I try to make sure I do at least one fun thing on my free day.The last person you texted?The one person I text the most - my cousin, Sadi Abdullah.How do you feel about selfies?Mine are always disasters. Selfies are okay, unless one is so bogged down with selfies that they miss the moments.What was one thing you wish you knew when working your way to the top?The concept of synergy across businesses is absent in Bangladesh, especially in our trade. And most often people will give you the wrong advise and mislead you if you are trying to do something new. There is an innate resistance to change, and if you stand for change, it is most likely that you will be standing alone.What's your favourite place to shop from right now?Aarong and Arannya. I love local handicrafts. I am particularly fond of Arannya because my childhood friend Nawshin Khair has taken over and completely changed the way it used to be. It is now a fusion of crafts with modern style and designs.One fashion trend you wish would be removed?I really don’t think much about fashion, so can’t really comment on this.If you could switch lives with a person for a day, what would it be?Eve Ensler.Best gift you've ever received?My nephew, Zarar. He came at a very sad point in my life, and truly pulled me up. He is without doubt the best gift and blessing in my life.The cutest thing on planet earth?Pandas!The last book that you read?It was some collection of short stories, but I can’t remember…One experience in your life where you felt most nervous?When my father was in a plane crash and I was in the UK, nobody was really telling me the truth about how badly he had been hurt.What do you hope to be doing next year?Changing people’s perception of Bangladesh as a tourist destination. Bangladesh is an absolute ‘must’ and not just a “by-the-by” tick on the travel list when one is in Southeast Asia.