In my short life, there are many experiences that could qualify as life-changing.

Every new
experience was, at one time or another, the first experience. For good or bad, each instance changed
the course that my life has taken. One such experience was the DIP or Discover India Project. MY
groups project was about udupi restaurants. Udupi restaurants were a huge part of my childhood. I
would often frequent them for some scrumptious dosas and oft idlis. As a grown up, I enjoy their
filter coffee the most. They also remind me of my roots. I spent my childhood frequently visiting
Udupi and visiting temples. We would often get Gadbad ice creams there which is a delicacy only
found in Udupi restaurants here in Mumbai So, getting to do a project about these restaurants was
an amazing experience.

My part in this project was taking interviews of people who frequented Udupi restaurants,
worked at these restaurants and in some cases owned these restaurants. Later, I had to introduce
the topic and inform the reader about the topic. For the interviews, me and my team mate Aarya
would travel to Matunga, the hub of Udupi restaurants in Mumbai by train. It was a great bonding
experience for us. We went to Matunga twice and visited legendary Udupi restaurants like Madras
Café, Ram ashray and so on. Here, we took permission from the respective owners to interview the
customers and the people who worked there. It was a lot of fun talking to fellow Udupi restaurant
enthusiasts and telling them about our project and research questions and hearing their stories. It
was also a lot of fun. We recorded these interviews and they were later transcribed by another
groupmate.

While taking those interviews, I learnt to interact with strangers as it pushed me out of my
comfort zone. I also learnt how to ask questions, take notes, plan ahead and summarizing
information. It also helped me talk to strangers and come out of my box.

I also learnt about teamwork. The term 'teamwork' refers to a group of people working
together to achieve a common goal. Humans are sociable creatures. In practically every aspect of
life, we tend to stick together and collaborate with others. Everyone has commitments to satisfy,
whether at work or at home. We become a part of the team when we carry out these obligations on
a daily basis. A team always succeeds in attaining its goal when everyone does their allotted work in
a coordinated manner.

To make our DIP project a success, we all had to work as a team. In doing so we built
infallible bonds. We also learnt hoe to work as a team. To work in a team is to report to your leader,
do the task assigned to you, and help out your teammates. Teamwork has the greatest importance
in any part of the world. Whether it be an organization or a small business. Teamwork is the key to
success. In our schools, we play many sports that enlist teamwork. Thus from our childhood only we
knew about teamwork. Because our mentors understood the importance of teamwork. That is the
reason they always guided us on the right path. At last, the teamwork team generates a relationship
between two people. As we all know that human is a social being, so it is beneficial for the
environment of a person.

In the end, DIP was a meaningful experience and helped me learn a lot about Mumbaai,
Udupi restaurants and most importantly teamwork and it will be an experience I shall never forget.