My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work.

Tripoto
24th Dec 2015
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 1/14 by Shifa Thobani
travelling, exploring and learning :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 2/14 by Shifa Thobani
Our brilliant catering team. They earned our respect :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 3/14 by Shifa Thobani
450+ of us :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 4/14 by Shifa Thobani
Emerging leaders are on their way!
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 5/14 by Shifa Thobani
You meet women solar engineers here fom various parts of the world :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 6/14 by Shifa Thobani
Serving a hungry man is the most beautiful deed an individual can do :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 7/14 by Shifa Thobani
A piece of cloth can change a man's life. Donate a piece of cloth :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 8/14 by Shifa Thobani
Want to be part of community development, visit Deoria.
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 9/14 by Shifa Thobani
They are the builders of sustainable toilets and sanitation facilities.
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 10/14 by Shifa Thobani
You meet expertised and professional singer and dancer kids here :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 11/14 by Shifa Thobani
Affordable and efficient eye care at its best
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 12/14 by Shifa Thobani
On my way back to Nagpur, I knew yatra was more than just memories :)
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 13/14 by Shifa Thobani
Started at Mumbai and ended at Mumbai!
Photo of My 8000kms across India : my story of travelling , learning and social work. 14/14 by Shifa Thobani
Art of Living :)

"Believe that travel is a teacher, one that wakes up your senses when you’re out of your comfort zone…It allows you to see the world with fresher eyes and realize that life doesn’t have to be a certain way. We could and can be better."
 -Jedidiah Jenkins, The Great Discontent

I belong to a small district called Chhindwara, which lies in Madhya Pradesh. Being the youngest and the only girl child in the family brought me immense privileges, along with boundaries and fears. When my parents denied me to go on this train journey of Jagriti Yatra, which was a lifetime opportunity for an introvert like me, I packed my bags and set out for Yeotmal, then Pune and finally reached Mumbai, not letting my father know about my travel plans. That was my passion for travelling and learning. My passion for meeting those 450 people like me, who will be joining me in this extra-ordinary journey of 15 days,covering across 8000kms of India, taking us to 12 destinations , with the aim of rural development and social entrepreneurship..

I still remember reaching IIT Powai at 10 in the morning on 24th Dec. 2015, and calling my dad and telling about Jagriti Yatra and my journey to Mumbai. There was a regret of opposing him, but there was a hope of overcoming my fears. There was a hope of learning. There was a a hope of travelling. There was a hope of knowing all those rivers, mountains, lakes, deserts, hills, terrains and people, I was going to come across in those 15 unusual days of my life. This is how it started, I made few friends on the very first day and then continued my rail yatra of making bonds, of learning extravagantly, of each day discussion on entrepreneurship, of brainstorning sessions on Indian politics, of late night horror stories, of laughters and cries, of friendships and mentors.

Dharwad: Our first destination is my favorite of all the JY destinations. Here is a rural school named KALKERI SANGEET VIDYALA,  initiated and runned by foreigners, along with Indian guides, who have taken the initiative of inculcating not only good education, but also skills like music and dance in those young minds. Kids are very well-trained and are given options to select their favortie art forms. Specialised in Kathak, Bharatnatyam, harmonium, tabla and various other musical instruments and dance forms, these kids are significantly remarkable. Another optimistic thing, I noticed in this rural school was its functioning through solar energy. SELCO is the pioneer of soar energy consumption in this heated area of Karnataka, reaching out to several villages nearby and meeting energy needs through solar plants.

Madurai: If you want to be a social worker, or desire to make your ways to community development in improving healthcare department of poor and needy, you must visit  ARVIND EYE CARE HOSPITAL in Madurai. They not only provide affordable eye-checkups and medicines, but are a boon for cataract patients, as they are specialised in cataract surgery. Providing emloyment to numerous women from rural places around Madurai, this hospital has redefined humanity to all of us.

 Chennai: Visiting MSSRF, and meeting a living legend M S Swaminathan is a moment of pride. While travel take you to people like him, people like him take you to the place where revolution begins. He is the "Indian Father of Green Revolution", and meeting him has left all agriculture enthusiasts with immense knowledge on Indian agriculture.

Brahmapur: If you are a village lover and want to spend your life working for the development of rural population, GRAM VIKAS, Behrampur is the place for you. Working wth the rural and tribal communities in various parts of India, this NGO works for overall development of people in Brahmapur. Their main aim is to prvide better water and sanitation facilities to people there.

Vizag: Serving healthy meals to almost 14 lacstudents across India in 24 destinations, AKSHAYA PATRA forms an integral part of mid-day schemes runned by Government of India. My mom always says, "feeding a hungry man is the most beautiful deed you can do".  Naval Dockyard and running seashores along the coastlines of Vizag, this city is one of the most beautiful places I have visited.

Rajgir: If you are a historian and enthusiastic about learning ancient history, Nalanda is a place for you. My visit to Nalanda was restricted to "Ruins of Nalanda" and "Nalanda Convention Centre", where we were embarked with business and entrepreneurship knowledge.The natural beauty of Rajgir will leave you awestruck.

Deoria: For an individual like me who is fond of villages and rural culture, this place gave me a peaceful and steady environment. On our field trip, we had a chance to interact with the locals there, heard about their life stories, various problems they have been suffering whether it is related to water facility, sanitation, their awareness towards various health issues, the accessibility of hospitals in the district, this place is an amalgamation of Indian serenity and agricultural beauty. It is rightly said, the real beauty of India lies in the countryside.

Delhi : Mr. Anshu Gupta is one man, I idealise. The receiver of the Magsayasay Award 2015, Mr. Gupta will leave you speechless and blunt thinking about the problems real India is facing and about how young Indian brigade has dynamic potential to change every problem into an opportunity full of development and welfare. If you haven't yet heard him, youtube him right now!

Tilonia: Ever heard of women being designated as SOLAR ENGINEERS ? Travel to this village called Tilonia in Rajasthan and you will see women running equipments through solar energy, women who are expertised in art and craft, women who make cheap and qualitative sanitary napkins to help other rural women in rural India. This place is a true example of a society where women hold the highest dignity. Rough and dry in area, but socially developed and technically equipped women in this Indian terrain will take you to a utopian world. BAREFOOT COLLEGE started by Mr. Bunker Roy, upholds women not only from India, but from various parts of Africa and Europe.

(A suggestion: Listen to Mr. Roy's tedx speech.)

Ahmedabad: Our stoppage at Ahmedabad was the last destination of Jagriti Yatra 2015-16. This place taught me that good-byes are not forever, that people you meet in your life play an exponential role in your future. Terminating at Entrepreneurship Development Instiiute of India, Gandhinagar, the last day of the yatra was  full of cries and laughters, memories and hardships, compromises and happy faces, jagriti geet and selfies, sad faces and hopeful eyes. Many realised their dreams, while others learnt alot. While we were discovering ourselves all these days, we made lifetime bonds unknowingly. This beautiful gujju city holds our tears and friendships.

Reached Mumbai on 8th January 2016, where the railway station was hustled with "bye" , "take care", "stay in touch", "keep texting, keep calling" words, I had an explosion of peace and satisfaction in my head. I made numerous friends, I explored my idea of social work and community development utmost.

While heading towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Domestic Airport to catchup my flight to Nagpur, I was still living Jagriti Yatra in my head. I was recalling every moment and smiling. I still wonder what if I wouldn't have fought for this dream-like experience of my life? This was not just an experience, it was living another life altogether. It was breathing another air , it was talking differently, it was talking with unusual intellect, it was thinking and analyzing concepts and notions which we ignore in our daily lives.

I would just say one thing, if you are passionate about your dreams, if you are passionate about your energy , if you are a changemaker, if you want to be a changemaker, if you are scared or fearless, if you are happy or sad, if you are a student or a businessman or a housewife, LIVE THIS TO THE FULLEST. Amidst the norms and cultures that our society has encircled us with, DO NOT let your desires go in vain. Don't let them die in your head. Let your dreams and desires breathe. There is not better way than travelling to live and experience this life to the fullest.

Travel. Travel to new places. Re-visit those places where you have been before, but LIVE, 'cause as Wayne Dyer once said, "Go for it now.  The future is promised to no one".

 Travel to discover a new version of yourself :)

Jagriti Yatra started at IIT Powai on 24th December 2016.

travelling, exploring and learning :)

Photo of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India by Shifa Thobani

Started at Mumbai and ended at Mumbai!

Photo of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India by Shifa Thobani
A district in Karnataka, that will take you to talented kids.

You meet expertised and professional singer and dancer kids here :)

Photo of Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka 580001, India by Shifa Thobani
In search of peace and concentration, visit this beautiful ashmram.

Art of Living :)

Photo of Bengaluru, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India by Shifa Thobani
Generosity and humanity redefined!

Affordable and efficient eye care at its best

Photo of Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001, India by Shifa Thobani
If agriculture is in your blood, MSSRF is your place of enlightment!

Emerging leaders are on their way!

Photo of Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India by Shifa Thobani
Looking for an example of developed Indian village? Visit this town in Orissa!

They are the builders of sustainable toilets and sanitation facilities.

Photo of Brahmapur, Brahmapur, Odisha 760001, India by Shifa Thobani
Naval dockyard, Akshaya Patra and a beautiful coastline? Want more reasons to visit beautiful Vizag?

Serving a hungry man is the most beautiful deed an individual can do :)

Photo of Visakhapatnam, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530001, India by Shifa Thobani
History and culture excites you? Visit Nalanda :)

450+ of us :)

Photo of Rajgir, Rajgir, Bihar, India by Shifa Thobani
Are you also fond of peaceful and calm village life? Deoria will leave you glad!

Want to be part of community development, visit Deoria.

Photo of Deoria, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, India by Shifa Thobani
Anshu Gupta doesn't need words! You got to visit him once. They are bunch of people India needs.

A piece of cloth can change a man's life. Donate a piece of cloth :)

Photo of Goonj, J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110076, India by Shifa Thobani
Want to meet women solar engineers? Stay for a day in this village in Rajasthan!

You meet women solar engineers here fom various parts of the world :)

Photo of Tiloniya, Tiloniya, Rajasthan 305816, India by Shifa Thobani
Gandhi Ashram enthusiast? You got to take a glance at the beautiful place.

Our brilliant catering team. They earned our respect :)

Photo of Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India by Shifa Thobani
Heading back home :)

On my way back to Nagpur, I knew yatra was more than just memories :)

Photo of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099, India by Shifa Thobani
Related to this article
Weekend Getaways from Mumbai,Places to Visit in Mumbai,Places to Stay in Mumbai,Things to Do in Mumbai,Mumbai Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Maharashtra,Places to Stay in Maharashtra,Things to Do in Maharashtra,Maharashtra Travel Guide,Things to Do in India,Places to Stay in India,Places to Visit in India,India Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Dharwad,Places to Visit in Dharwad,Places to Stay in Dharwad,Things to Do in Dharwad,Dharwad Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Karnataka,Places to Stay in Karnataka,Things to Do in Karnataka,Karnataka Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Bangalore urban,Places to Stay in Bangalore urban,Places to Visit in Bangalore urban,Things to Do in Bangalore urban,Bangalore urban Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Madurai,Places to Visit in Madurai,Places to Stay in Madurai,Things to Do in Madurai,Madurai Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Tamil nadu,Places to Stay in Tamil nadu,Things to Do in Tamil nadu,Tamil nadu Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Chennai,Places to Stay in Chennai,Places to Visit in Chennai,Things to Do in Chennai,Chennai Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Odisha,Places to Stay in Odisha,Places to Visit in Odisha,Things to Do in Odisha,Odisha Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Visakhapatnam,Places to Visit in Visakhapatnam,Places to Stay in Visakhapatnam,Things to Do in Visakhapatnam,Visakhapatnam Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Vishakhapatnam,Places to Visit in Vishakhapatnam,Places to Stay in Vishakhapatnam,Things to Do in Vishakhapatnam,Vishakhapatnam Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Andhra pradesh,Places to Stay in Andhra pradesh,Things to Do in Andhra pradesh,Andhra pradesh Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Rajgir,Places to Visit in Rajgir,Places to Stay in Rajgir,Things to Do in Rajgir,Rajgir Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Nalanda,Places to Visit in Nalanda,Places to Stay in Nalanda,Things to Do in Nalanda,Nalanda Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Bihar,Places to Stay in Bihar,Things to Do in Bihar,Bihar Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Deoria,Places to Visit in Deoria,Places to Stay in Deoria,Things to Do in Deoria,Deoria Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Uttar pradesh,Places to Stay in Uttar pradesh,Things to Do in Uttar pradesh,Uttar pradesh Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from New delhi,Places to Visit in New delhi,Places to Stay in New delhi,Things to Do in New delhi,New delhi Travel Guide,Things to Do in Tiloniya,Weekend Getaways from Tiloniya,Places to Stay in Tiloniya,Tiloniya Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Ajmer,Places to Visit in Ajmer,Places to Stay in Ajmer,Things to Do in Ajmer,Ajmer Travel Guide,Places to Stay in Rajasthan,Places to Visit in Rajasthan,Things to Do in Rajasthan,Rajasthan Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Ahmedabad,Places to Visit in Ahmedabad,Places to Stay in Ahmedabad,Things to Do in Ahmedabad,Ahmedabad Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Gujarat,Places to Stay in Gujarat,Things to Do in Gujarat,Gujarat Travel Guide,