My experience of Shodh Yatra 2015:
"Hum Jo Chalne Lage ..Chalne Lage Hai Yeh Raste
Haaan Haaan Manzil Se Behtar Lagne Lage Hai Yeh Raste
Aao Kho Jaye Hum ...Ho Jaye Hum Yun Lapata
Aaao Milo Chale Jana Kahan Na Ho Pata"
[Once we start walking.. even the roads start moving with us
More than the destination.. the path itself appears more interesting
Come lets forget ourselves, dissolving ourselves completely disconnected
Lets walk miles, not knowing where our destination is..]
It has been an awesome journey. In the midst of Himalayan foothills at Kanchun Junga range the whole trip was planned!! I loved every bit of it.
1) The whole yatra was designed to enhance learning at 4 levels: within(inner journey), from nature,
from cohort group and from our hosts.. The journey is designed foryatris to go through extreme weather conditions -super cold in winter and extremely hot in summer) to experience what our fellow countrymen experience every day..and yet innovate and remain happy...We were in the land of Lepchas an indigenous tribe from Sikkim who live in Dikchu-Zhongu area..
2) Walking close to 90 kms in 7 days under fairly ardous conditions did make me question everything... It was a great challenge... At times there were very narrow rock paths along the mountain terrain with 1 feet roads: no protection on the right side-- only us.. and we had to do everything to protect ourselves at every step...
3) Along the way , there was lot of time for deep exploration and intereting conversations.
In one such conversation with Prof. Anil Gupta, we spoke about how nature has designed every plant with a purpose. Extrapolate the idea to the human race and to every moment : After all there is no human being who is not designed with a special purpose and how unique is every moment: full of life that does not repeat itself..
4)We visited 14 villages along the way.. The night halts used to be in school classrooms..
At every village, the ppl waited for us eagerly : decorated stalls, ready food , amazing teas, all grown organically from the farms. We were welcomed with so much love,enthusiasm and care... Just cant describe it.. Our hosts were so amazing.... Lovely people.. Such simplicity and care,,, we rarely find it anywhere.. Many of them shared that they have not been visited / had such meetings for decades..
5) The kids from villages have so much love innocence and creativity... With one boy (around 5), I shared a few chocolates.. and told him that he is my friend.. Well the boy did not leave me alone that evening :)... I took a few pics and my little friend ate with me...Loved it...
6) With a little support from us, there is a massive opportiunity to make a contribution and create wonderful businesses. The place has abundance of water, environment is so tranquil, farming is organic and soil is so fertile...
There is so much potential for agri businesses, eco friendly housing, responsible tourism, wholesome foods.,
Power of Markets can be applied so positively-- we can create the markets and design it by our choice- with social good and win-win-win for all at the heart of its being...
Love you Sikkim for this awesome experience.. AACHULE!!AACHULE!!AACHULE!!
