Becoming a Community of Doers

“I don’t like two-wheelers much, but I love selling the Indie,” Binesh says, grinning. “If I were one of them, I’d be the one in yellow— bright like sunflower fields in full bloom.” It’s this lively energy that defines Binesh, a man who’s spent his life moving, evolving, and embracing the unexpected. 

Binesh’s journey to River was anything but conventional. His background is eclectic—a mix of fashion, art, travel, and plenty of life lessons learned on the go. “I started in fashion, but that’s a long story,” he laughs as if to say there’s too much to fit into a single conversation.

From his early days as a delinquent teenager kicked out of multiple schools to living on the streets of Paris in his 20s, his life has been a series of unexpected turns. He’s worked in pizzerias, cafes, and even with Alexander McQueen. Along the way, he lived in places like Barcelona and Los Angeles, soaking up new cultures and perspectives, always trying to understand people. “I thought I wanted to be an artist. But that idea faded, and I found myself in the fashion world instead. That was a different life.”

But something about that life didn’t feel complete. While working in Mumbai, in September 2022, Binesh decided it was time for a change. “I needed to do something I’ve never done before,” he says, reflecting on the moment he left Mumbai for Bangalore. “Somehow, Bangalore called out to me. And River happened.” When he joined the company, his title was Senior Merch Manager, a role that seemed to fit given his background, but Binesh’s ability to adapt and grow quickly meant he took on more than just one role. He eventually found his true fit in customer care—a space where he could truly connect with people.

One storey apart, the same openness to trying, learning, and evolving shows up in another story; Jasvir’s.

Jasvir Kaur’s approach to life and work is as vibrant and dynamic as the way she wears her hair—twists, braids, and all. Always smiling, always with a sparkle of energy, she brings a refreshing and bubbly spirit to everything she does. Her colourful jewellery, a signature part of her style, feels like a reflection of her personality: full of life and unapologetically bold. Jasvir’s role at River is just as diverse as her look. Initially joining as an industrial designer, she now works across digital displays, scooter accessories, and human-machine interaction, balancing multiple projects at once with ease. “I’m always juggling things, and I love it,” she says, her enthusiasm infectious.

Her childhood as an army kid—moving from Jammu to Jhansi, and various other places—instilled in her a sense of adaptability and a love for new experiences. “I never stayed in one place long enough to get bored,” she recalls. After studying fashion and accessory design at NIFT Chennai, Jasvir quickly realised that the fashion world wasn’t offering the excitement or challenges she craved. “I loved the creative process, but the outcome didn’t excite me,” she says. So, she shifted gears and found herself immersed in the world of game and toy design, where the process of conceptualising and iterating was everything.

However, it was during the pandemic that Jasvir decided she needed a change. “I was tired of working from home. I wanted to go to a space where I could collaborate and learn,” she says. That’s when River reached out. Though she had no technical design experience, the company’s call for someone multidisciplinary piqued her interest.

“I thought, ‘Why not?’ and decided to dive in,” she says, with characteristic optimism.

In their own ways, both Binesh and Jasvir built paths that were never straight. They tried different things, learned from change, and shaped their roles around what felt right. What brings them together at River is that same instinct to grow, switch lanes when needed, and stay open to new challenges. Versatility is not just part of their personalities. It is what helped them find a place where they could do many things that brought them fulfilment, and still be themselves.

That same versatility lives in River’s design philosophy too. We believe that everyday things should be simple to understand and easy to use, yet ready for many different needs. That belief shapes Indie as well. It works for long commutes, work trips, weekend plans, or anything in between without making the rider change their routine. It fits into life instead of demanding adjustments. For Binesh, that idea feels personal. He has lived a life built on adapting and finding comfort in change, which is why selling Indie comes naturally to him. He sees his own story in the scooter, and that connection is what makes him love talking about it.