Man - The Traveller

Neelam (Neel) Thakur is an adventurer, explorer, a seasoned tourism entrepreneur and an Indian writer. Born in New Delhi, he hails from the Suryavanshi Rajput background and spent his early childhood under the care of his maternal grandmother.

After doing his schooling from a renowned public school, he pursued the bachelor’s degree in basic science under the university of Kurukshetra. Fascination for travel and adventure gripped him soon after, both of which became his uncompromised passions and turned into his life long priorities thereon.

Neel began to take part in mountain climbing expeditions into the Himalayas at a young age. Driven by a compelling spirit to explore nature and motivate the others, he started his professional journey with a brief stint as a student’s mentor for nature activities at a public school in the lower hills of Shimla. Deciding to turn his enthusiasm and passion into a serious career, he stepped into the tourism industry and soon became responsible for creating, planning and organising nature travel experiences for one of the largest travel organisations in the country. 

During the Year 1985 when India’s tourism industry was still in its infancy, he founded his own organisation and began to explore new horizons and ways to promote ‘Destination India’ in the international markets. He went on to pioneer some of the most alluring tourism products and travel concepts for India and marketed them globally. He has been to over 30+ countries across the world and is a frequent traveller. 

Neel has been closely involved with various aspects of tourism and honoured with several prestigious awards and recognitions in different countries from a number of international partners and others. 

In 2004, he pioneered the concept of live-tourism in India, which was hailed by the world press at the ITB travel and trade show in Berlin, Germany. He was interviewed by the Russian TV for his groundbreaking initiative and role in introducing eco-friendly pristine landscape yoga and human wellness therapy through specially curated leisure travel programmes and experiences.

He has sojourned in the Himalayan mountains, understanding the defining elements of human life and has spent time with enlightened Yogis, Lamas and Gurus, studying ancient human sciences and practices.  

Inspired to bring eco-awareness among India’s rural communities and the luxury hospitality resorts that employed them, he initiated Silver Earth India (a non-profit project initiative) that helped a number of rural primary schools with eco awareness programmes and supported many resorts in different locations. It was his specially trained team that imparted eco-orientation and staff training to many hospitality units for the first time in India, triggering the trend of eco-friendly resort categories and tags.

He was also the man behind the idea of bringing direct economic benefits to native communities and their colourful habitats in India, through the flow of mainstream tourism. His philanthropic efforts and concerns for the OBCs and the tribal communities, have been commended by many and appreciated in many countries.

The raw elements of untamed nature have been an important part of his life, he has visited numerous wildlife sanctuaries and indulged very actively in many nature and adventure sports across the years. He has been a leading part of some major expeditions into the high Himalayas.   

A man who has forever underplayed his accomplishments and kept away from public eye and social media platforms, he has found joy in anonymity. Neel has the unique distinction of being amongst the very few people with such a diverse portfolio of real time hands-on experience in various kinds of challenging nature sports and outdoor adventures, spanning a period of over four decades, in addition to his passionate interest in literary arts and philosophy. 

He was awarded by the President of India Shri V. V. Giri at a young age and has also received the ‘Prix-de-piolet d'honneur’ from Club Alpin Francais, apart from several other certifications and accolades. He has inspired many young people and helped them build their life and professional careers.

In April 2025, Neel's name was shortlisted by the management board of the American Center for Wellness and Spirituality Inc. in New York as an Advisor (ACWS, a not-for-profit corporation, formally launched in 2023 at the Indian Consulate in New York).

A person of versatile dimensions, Neel is a writer by choice. He has been publishing articles covering his many travels and experiences at various destinations, sharing with readers exciting facts and moments wrapped in his uniquely striking style. Sometimes he also writes on matters of deeper human wellness and spiritual alignment.

He often spends time in the tranquil environs of his Wilderness Farm near the Sariska Forest Reserve in the state of Rajasthan in India. Neel provides professional consultancy and expertise support to young entrepreneurs and new startups to help them develop or start their own business. He aspires to help the young minds find their rightful place in the world.