Dost ho to aisa- A Reflection from Our Retreat

Dost Ho To Aisa – A Reflection from Our Retreat

Some moments stay with you not because they were grand, but because they were real. Our recent Dost retreat was full of such moments. And as I sit back at my desk, far from the warmth of shared meals and late-night conversations, I find myself holding on to a single feeling: dost ho to aisa.

In a remote-first organization, we often find ourselves working across screens, cities, and time zones collaborating in Slack threads, virtual meetings, and syncing through shared documents. While some teams get to meet in person more often, the retreat offered a rare opportunity for the entire organization to come together and share meals, laughter, and connection something that transcends our usual work rhythms.

Over two days, we experienced a beautiful blend of grounding and play. We had sessions that made us pause and reflect on our work, and others that sparked belly laughs and surprising ideas. There was strategy talk, team bonding, and lots (lots!) of dancing.

Day 1: Finding Our Rhythm

We kicked off with the Dost Champions board, a heartwarming start. Everyone shared their expectations and feelings about the retreat in one word on sticky notes. It was a small but powerful reflection of the spirit with which we work every day cheering each other on, showing up with intention and care. Walking around and reading those notes, I felt how naturally we were all connecting with the retreat’s vision.

One of the most grounding moments came when Richa Shukla, our CEO, walked us through Dost’s future vision and strategies. It didn’t feel like a top-down announcement; it felt like someone lighting the path ahead and saying, “We’re walking this together.” Leadership at its most grounded, open, and visionary.

Later, when Vithya (Comms Manager) and I shared the “Where We’re Going” session, the energy in the room shifted. People leaned in. The questions were thoughtful. These weren’t just product updates or campaign rollouts they were shared steps toward a future we’ve all been building. I still remember someone saying, “So basically, more face time and less working in silos?” and the entire room nodded and laughed in agreement.

Day 2: The Path Ahead

We started the day with a team challenge that quickly turned into glorious chaos. People were shouting ideas, someone was trying to organize a strategy, another cracking jokes mid-plan. The task? Build a rocket using newspapers, ice cream sticks, and disposable bowls. It was messy, energizing, and wildly creative.

Each team approached it differently, but every approach worked in its own way. As we presented our creations to the larger group, I could feel the pride and joy in the room. Roles emerged naturally leaders, collaborators, designers, and storytellers. It made me think: we really can build anything, if we build it together.

The day continued with group tracks and deep work, but even then, the laughter never stopped. The retreat ended with games and dinner, made special simply by the company we shared.

What I’m Taking Back

I returned with a deeper connection to the people I work with, and a renewed sense of clarity about why we do what we do. It’s not just our mission that makes Dost special-it’s the people who live that mission every single day, with joy, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

As we laughed through charades, overfilled our plates, and made our way back, I caught myself thinking (for maybe the tenth time): dost ho to aisa.

So here’s to spontaneous dance circles, to messy creativity, and to purpose-driven work that never forgets the joy.

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