We got great news for you: Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, along with MTV’s very own heartthrobs Rannvijay, Ayushmann & Bani J launched a range of Wildcraft gear co-branded with MTV in Mumbai on 22 July 2010. The range consists of vibrant and funky travel & adventure bags, duffel bags, laptop bags and tote bags. The range also comprises a special ‘Roadies’ line that includes bags as well as adventure gear for riding, hiking and cycling as well as other outdoor equipment including a cool range of sleeping bags and tents. The range, which flaunts real ishtyle (you gotta see it to believe it), was launched at the Wildcraft store in Mumbai.

The range is priced between Rs 745 and Rs 2,995 and is available across exclusive Wildcraft stores as well as modern trade shop-in-shops. The creative inspiration of this outdoor range comes from MTV’s Streetmuse concept of fashion products. Each product has at least one unique functional element, thus making the range an exciting mix of style and functionality. Viacom18 Senior VP consumer products and communications Sandeep Dahiya who is responsible for the MTV brand said, “We are excited to partner with Wildcraft to enter into yet another important category in the youth space. What makes this range unique is the mix of innovative product features with international creative & design elements.”

Combining contemporary urban designs with Wildcraft’s exceptional workmanship, the range is sure to capture your imagination. So, get out there on the first opportunity you get and look out for the MTV-Wildcraft gear – we know it will make you sing with joy!

The media extensively covered the launch. To catch up with what some of them are saying you could look up the following links: Times of India, IndiaGlitz, IndianTelevision.com, Exchange4Media.com

Wilderness First Responder: A First-Hand Account

Tarsh Williams is Manager, Outdoors at Wildcraft. An HR professional who chose to follow his heart into the hills, he runs Wildcraft’s adventure-based training programs. Here he speaks of the Wilderness First Responder Program he underwent that equips you with skills necessary to administer first aid and treatment when conventional care may not be at hand.

One of the best places in the world to learn about the outdoors and wilderness adventure is the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Wyoming, USA. I’ve been among the fortunate few from India who has got a chance to go through a 120 day semester that covers everything from winter camping to wilderness medicine.

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is one of the memorable programs I went through. 30 participants and 80 hours didn’t sound particularly out of the ordinary until it actually began and I realized that it was rigorous to a point of being extreme! We put up in a ranch in Wyoming, one of America’s most scenic states, but what we were about to go through was anything but scenic!

I remember one exercise where 3 members or our class were chosen to be volunteers who would subject themselves to extreme cold water to bring on hypothermia and it was our responsibility that we took action required.

Here’s a note completely unrelated to the outdoors and adventure: about The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE). They are the world’s largest not-for-profit organization promoting the entrepreneurial spirit. Founded in Silicon Valley in 1992 by people who had their roots in the Indus region, TiE now has 53 Chapters in 12 countries. Over 12,000 members are top entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and management professionals in their chosen field.

So what has this got to do with Wildcraft, you ask? Well, Dinesh KS, co-founder of Wildcraft and intrepid entrepreneur himself was invited to a TiE Member Meeting in Bangalore on July 8, 2009 to speak on the panel discussing The Business of Sports and Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Sports. On the panel with him were Charu Sharma, Saumil Majumdar (co-founder and CEO of Sportzvillage), Mahesh Bhat (Founder, MMB Legal) and Ara Pararajasingham (Director, Leander Paes Sports). It was by any standards, a very august gathering.

The discussion centered around sport and its attendant ecosystem of players and athletes, equipment, events, sponsors, training, media & entertainment, and agents that drive huge business opportunities worth billions of dollars. In India, this is an emerging industry. Dinesh spoke of the story of Wildcraft, and how it was an integral part of this ecosystem dealing in adventure and outdoor activity gear.