Abdulqader Kagalwala is a Kolkata-based entrepreneur and partner at TopGrip Instruments Company with nearly two decades of experience in the railway industry and wildlife photography. His gear has accompanied him on countless expeditions, including over 40 visits to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest in India. In this blog, he shares how honing a hobby had a positive effect on his business.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” — Albert Einstein
My love for wildlife was borne out of the countless nature documentaries I devoured as a child. I used to be fascinated by animal behaviour and the quiet wisdom of the jungle.
One of my earliest memories is from a family trip to Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. Armed with a point-and-shoot camera and youthful enthusiasm in my step, I ventured into my first experience of wildlife photography. I remember being mesmerised by a herd of deer silhouetted against the morning mist. That image sparked a flame inside me that has never gone out.
But it was during my graduation days that the fascination turned into a full-blown passion for wildlife photography. Since then, I’ve dedicated a part of my life to this craft — first as an amateur, then as a professional, but always a life-long learner.
The jungle as my classroom
Over the years, I’ve explored some of the most amazing terrains in India, including Tadoba, Kanha, Kaziranga, Dachigam, Periyar, and most notably, the Sundarbans, which I’ve visited over 40 times in pursuit of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Each trip has deepened my understanding of the jungle’s unwritten rules: move with the wind, blend with the terrain, and tread as though walking on a living map.
In Tripura, I tracked a rare clouded leopard for four days, studying its behaviour, movement patterns, resting spots, and feeding cycles. The long, silent wait paid off when my lens finally captured the ghost-like feline.
In Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, I lay in wait to photograph a black bear emerging from dense undergrowth. The animal’s unpredictable behaviour and the terrain tested my endurance, but the reward was a powerful image that spoke of raw wilderness.
My knowledge has been built from conversations with forest guides, naturalists, and fellow photographers—people who’ve spent decades in the field. From them, I’ve learned how elephants communicate through low-frequency rumbles, how birds form early warning systems, and how leopards mark their territory with precision. These interactions have been as enriching as the sightings themselves.
Wildlife photography challenges you in ways no studio ever could. It’s about capturing moments in motion, in action, and often, in chaos. Skill matters, but so does adaptability. The best images come through equal parts preparation and luck.
From the wild to the workshop
When I reflect on my passion and my career, I’m pleasantly surprised by how profoundly they’ve enriched each other over the past 20 years. As a partner at TopGrip Instruments Company, I’ve found that the lessons learned in the jungle translate directly to the boardroom.
Wildlife photography demands enduring the elements, navigating unpredictable terrain, and sometimes going days without a single good shot. I’ve waited in rain-soaked hides, trekked through dense forests, and camped in freezing temperatures. I’ve missed shots of a tiger charging a herd of deer, struggled to capture birds in flight, and watched leopards vanish into the blue haze of dusk.
These experiences have shaped my temperament. Whether it’s negotiating with suppliers, handling logistics, or managing setbacks, I’ve learned that patience and persistence are the keys to progress.
The jungle has also sharpened my ability to stay alert, recognize patterns, and act decisively—qualities that matter when tackling government tenders, prototype trials, and compliance checks. Our company once focused solely on traditional locomotive components, but as the industry shifted toward electric locomotives, we had to adapt—diversifying into electric systems, using data analytics and innovating in cutting-edge technologies.
My growth as a wildlife photographer has been marked by constant learning. I’ve upgraded my gear, attended workshops, joined retreats, and taken courses to refine my craft. I’ve learned from missed opportunities and celebrated hard-won successes. Today, I continue to learn with every expedition.
Whether it’s capturing the perfect shot or closing a complex deal, success comes with patience and perseverance, even if it means waiting, literally or figuratively, in the bushes.
