Capt Suresh Sharma

Camera has become of part of my life now

Living life like a free-bird on my own terms, being my own master is dream of everyone! I have succeeded quite a bit, hope I continue the same way till the end of the journey.

I am proud to be an Indian Army veteran (SS-38), commissioned on the 25th of August 1984, passed out from Officers Training School, OTS, Chennai (now called Officers Training Academy). And in spite of being a `die-hard-soldier’, in Aug 1990, I bid the Indian army adieu to pursue my passions whole time, like a free bird. Now, I love to travel, photograph my country, its cultural and natural heritage, especially meandering around in my caravan ‘KINGCOBRA’.

My mission, for which my wife has join hands as equal partner, is Nature Conservation Through Tourism and Photography. I love outdoor life the most. I consider myself to be amongst those few extremely lucky ones, who got introduced to the wonders of nature while yet a toddler; I must highlight here that whole credit goes to my father, who used to take me out to the nearby jungle patch for morning walks everyday. These morning excursions, while holding my father’s finger, inculcated in me everlasting love for nature, and I have kept in touch with nature to this day; its a passion with me, now. My unfathomable love for outdoor life i.e. nature, photography and travel enticed me to join the Indian army, which lofted me to all corners of India and abroad. But my heart was to be with nature full time, through my camera and travel. It coaxed me to bid the Indian army adieu to pursue my passions whole time, like a free bird.There is nothing like freedom! This got me explore my latent strengths and soared me in different world – a treasure trove.

I got associated with wildlife film projects, including two for the National Geographic Society, USA. I could contribute to these films, as I have expertise in designing and fabrication of natural history sets for shooting wildlife films, under controlled conditions. I also designed cine support equipment and contraptions for wildlife filming. Many of you will say that life is too short to do experiments for fooling around, but some love experimenting. I love challenges and experiments; otherwise life is stale and drab for me. But then I am very clear what I want in life, happiness, not by achieving big goals, but by doing what I love doing the most. My sole mission is `Nature Conservation Education’. I have envisioned my MISSION: NATURE CONSERVATION, to be accomplished through my photography and tourism. To raise funds for all this, Green Dot Expeditions. has been commissioned to organise special interest tours and photo safaris. I am one of the founders of this outfit. Also, my wife and me design and manufacture souvenirs with wildlife motifs to raise funds for the Snake Cell. I must say that our wildlife T-shirts are the best in the country. I love nature, snakes, photography and travelling in my own self-made motor-home/ caravan named`KINGCOBRA’, to reach people to educate them about snakes and snakebite. My wife and me educate people about snakes and snakebite – a self-funded project The Snake Cell.

Myself during the IPKF Operations in 1988 in Sr Lanka

PUBLICATIONs: I have contributed as the main photographer for THE INDIAN ARMY – AN ILLUSTRATED OVERVIEW a coffee table book for the Indian Army, released by the Defense Minister of India, in September 2007. Recently, a coffee table book has been released by the Chief of the Indian Air Force Staff, LEGACY OF A LEGEND – MiG 21 in The Indian Air Force … ILLUSTRATED TESTIMONY OF A RETICENT WARRIOR, I did photography for the book. My photos have also been published in newspapers, magazines, textbooks, websites, and magazine covers, in India and overseas. Green Dot Expeditions supports the Snake Cell. Green Dot organises special photo safaris and photography workshops in India.

I love the following poem the most, which has remained closer to my heart, since the 6th Standard in school.

Abou Ben Adam

Abou ben Adam (may his tribe increase!) awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
an angel, writing in a book of of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adam bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said: “What writest thou?”
The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?”said Abou,
“Nay, not so,” Replied the angel.
Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still, and said, “I pray thee, then,

Write me as one who loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished.
The next night It came again, with a great awakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben adam’s name led all the rest. – Leigh Hunt

Myself preparing for an expedition to Ladakh. And my son Chirag is curiously watching the process while travel equipment is being serviced to set out on next voyage. That’s the way we train them for the real life. 

That’s me with Weber Barbecue Grill Q3200 on the banks of the river Indus in Ladakh

Proud of being driver and cook of Taurus – India’s most elaborately equipped overland truck.