The Explorer’s Fellowship was one of the best experiences of our lives, and its memories will forever be etched in our minds. We set around backpacking across various states of India for more than six weeks and got the opportunity to meet and interact with people from all walks of life. Starting from the blistering heat of Rajasthan, this eventful journey took us through the heavenly valleys of Srinagar, the treacherous yet awe-inspiring mountains and passes of Leh, the chaotic serenity of the streets of Gangtok, the historically rich landmarks of Kolkata, the surreal and bewitching world of the Hampi ruins and the scenic backwaters in God’s own country. The only plan of our journey was to have no definite plans. This acted as a catalyst for our interactions with natives which made our universal outlook more inclusive and instilled in us a sense of empathy. On one extreme, we had the privilege to experience unparalleled benevolence in the most unexpected places, while on the other we dealt with people whose only objective seemed to loot for their selfish motives.
From spending three nights at the railway station to hitchhiking for the entire day and from going to places where people don’t even understand your language to the daily casual 10-15 km treks, our travelling spirit was put to the test by extreme circumstances but our will to continue never faltered. On top of this, an integral part of our daily routine was to have food at places which offered local affordable cuisines, even if it required another 2 km walk. After a tiresome journey of around a month and a half, the rain gods ensured that we concluded our trip with a couple of lazy days spent enjoying home made food in Mumbai.
Looking back, we remember both internal and external skepticism towards this fellowship – “you will regret wasting this crucial summer.” Now, however, there is only one thought that lingers in our minds – “forget about regret, let’s do it again!”
The most important lessons for me were the actual dealings with people and wild memories for lifetime. My next target is having my own version of the ‘Motorcycle Diaries’.
– Naman
For a person battling with shyness since some years, the fellowship drove the final nails in that coffin for me.
-Vaibhav
NAMAN BANSAL
Life is too short to think twice. Go ahead and just do it. Or as I say it – ‘Puchne me kya jata hai
Undergraduate
Department of Electrical Engineering
VAIBHAV PALKAR
Undergraduate
Department of Chemical Engineering