Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009

I had tried this argument several times before. One more time at this hour would only delay the process. I didn’t know what it would take to convince oneself to go on a yatra like this. After all who in their right mind would trade the comforts of a warm bed, healthy food, friends and non-shaky personal bathrooms for a train, to explore something that was invisible to the sophisticated urban eye??

But 400 did.

So there I was with packed bags and no expectations. All I wanted was to take in that which would be served. I wanted to be like that empty cup which was open to all perceptions, diversity and reality. When I looked around myself, I sensed hope and fear juggling deep within the spirit of excitement as the music began to catalyse socialisation.

As mid night drew closer, tired bodies began to grope for spaces to take a quick nap. That’s when I found a luggage cart and in no time had transcended into some other world. The next time I opened my eyes, all the luggage carts around me had replicated with the same modality. I was thrilled!  The mood had just begun to set in.

A wild adventure then, turned out to be my first learning of the yatra. I had innocently experienced a night that is the fate of a majority of unfortunate displaced migrants whose bodies’ shiver daily on the cold, noisy platform. How could such people who are unable to fulfil the basic necessities of life, ever rise along the pyramid?

And if they couldn’t, could India?

The second most intriguing thought struck me when I was enduring the lavatory. Experiencing water shortage made me wonder if there was a part of India that travelled daily in the train from a station to the next and back, to use an equipped toilet.

If this were to be true, then perhaps we could have lavatory on wheels!

My learnings of this yatra are immense. Most of them I cannot word, but the few that I can aren’t just associated with the role model visits or the panel discussions. They have been more from the processes that were associated with it. The above two are just a glimpse of a Meg of thoughts flying in my head.

We started off as 400 diverse souls from different parts of the world and ended up on one platform as yatris of Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, India. It is now a part of my identity. An impulsive decision then has impacted my life so severely that it has permanently ruined the prospects of a normal, uninquisitive life that I could have led. But now all I remember are the 18 days whose spark and intent I want to enliven into an imprinted sense of being for the rest of my life.

Be it feeling the spirits of the likes of Bunker Roy, Anshu Gupta, Dabbawalas or Sabriye; all that touched me, brought alive that one part of my soul which was suffocating in the routines of the crowd.

As the hangover still lingers my mind, I pen-

18^th is my birth date,

And 18 were these days.

400 nincompoops,

On the rail.

With 9,300kms began,

A journey than rang,

Bells of entrepreneurship

In the minds of the youth;

To re-infuse humanity

As the modern truth.

They listened, they reflected.

They questioned the processes.

In the heat and cold,

They’d managed to uphold

The spark within,

Of the yatri realm.

Now they are out there,

Somewhere let loose;

Rebelling the routines,

Experimenting with the new.

Only time will tell,

What they do.

400 nincompoops

On the rail;

Once aboard,

Never the same again.

Yaroon badhte chalo!

Tags: Alysha Tharani

After 18 days, 9500 kilometres and a lifetime’s worth of experience, the Tata Jagriti Yatra a Train journey which took 400 inspired mind across the world ,ready to take on the challenge of the World, traversing through Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat, India comes alive with picturesque views of lakes, paddy fields, rivers, palm trees and an expanse of other flora and fauna, through humidity, heat and cold weather Introducing them to the idea of Enterprise-Led Development and being inspired by people who’ve done just that has come to an end. This train journey, meant to awaken India’s dormant entrepreneurial spirit,of 400 travellers. The Yatra began and ended at Mumbai and over the course of it This Yatra has so much to offer and this experience is an eye-opener for each of us. The ‘Wheels of Change’ which have been set in motion is symbolic not just to the changes we wish to be in the future of our Motherland but it also refers to the changes we experience as a person.we’ve stopped over at metros and commercial hubs, ridden through Naxal-infested areas and visited villages that don’t figure even on an adventurous tourist’s map.

“Aao baccho tumhe dikhayen zanki Hindustan ki/Is mitti se tilak karo, yeh dharti hai balidaan ki/Vande Mataram”

This song, from the film “Jagriti” (1954), captures the spirit of pulsating dynamism, looking forward to a glorious future. Has this spirit since evaporated? Where are the selfless citizens who devoted their lives for the nation’s tomorrow? Are we all living in an atmosphere of self seeking and unprincipled chaos?

24th Dec,09:Ravindra Natya Mandir, Dadar (Mumbai)
I reached at Ravindra Natya Mandir Dadar (Mumbai) by Taxi.We completed our registration process after that we got ID card and yatra kit then we joined our TJY group and then there was round of introduction within group members.After that we had our lunch & went to audi to attend the inaugral function there we learn of TJY’s mission of development through entrepreneurship, of Middle India and its income constraints.After the function we had a interaction with Manish Tripathi our role model of the day
Dabbawalla System: Manish Tripathi is the Director of Mumbai’s Dabbawallas. More than 175,000 or 200,000 lunch boxes get moved every day by an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 dabbawalas. They have not had any strike for 116 years. Dabbawalla industry continues to grow at a rate of 5-10% p.a.According to recent survey, there is only one mistake in every 6,000,000 deliveries,statcally equal to six sigma rating
Dabbawallas Management Principles:- 1-Work on the area you know 2-Do not hire literate people ,employ illeterate one’s(Thumbs up people) 3-For commitment qualification doesn’t matter (i.e if you have commitment qualification comes out automatically) 4- As long as you have self-confidence for your commitment ,you are sustainable
After this session we finished dinner and all yatris went to Mumbai Central by TJY buses . Train was late hence we celebrate Christmas at Mumbai Central platform.The air is thick with excitement, and surprisingly, it’s not about Christmas. Over the day-long induction programme,. We were set to leave at 11:00 p.m. but the train is nowhere in sight at the station. Five hours, a few wrong cues and some desperate shuteye later, our ride finally rolls into the platform.
25th Dec,09: A late start to the morning, and when we do wake up, we are passing through the beautiful Konkan landscape ,I m falling short of words to describe the beauty of Konkan , our first destination down south. The yatris start to familiarise themselves with the train, its layout, routines and rules.Train facilities were ultimate such as: Bathrooms, Water distribution, AC chair car, pantry system, control room (sweet sound: Good morning Yatris) instructions, security.After lunch we had AC chair car session: Introduction to TJY team, concept of role models and visits.During evening we had our Compartment session: Group discussion about our work, sharing knowledge, ideas about business.. The constant rattling takes some getting used to, though.
26th Dec 09:On our way from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram, when we wake up we see outside the window a beautiful morning in Kerala. Lakes, coconut trees, marvelous greenery.After having lunch we had AC Chair Car session where we discuss about the key aspects of entrepreneurship:
27th Dec,09: IISE (Intrenational Institute of Social Enterpreneurship),Thiruvananthapuram
G. Vijayraghavan
G.Vijayaraghavan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Technopark in Trivendrum. Technopark is India’s first technology park and among the three largest IT parks in India today. Thiruvananthapuram’s Technopark, is India’s original Silicon Valley. Here, founder and CEO, G. Vijayraghavan explains the caveats to entrepreneurship: “Nothing ever comes free, so don’t accept favours” and “whatever u want to do , do as fast as u can”. According to him, “it’s infinitely better to dream big and fail rather than to dream small and succeed”and “Don’t be afraid of failure, if u r fail, fail as fast as u can”. Quite fittingly, our dream exercise follows; we have to put down our own big ambitions for the future in paper.This is the first CMMI level 5 assessed Technology Park. Spread over 300 acres and about 2.1m sq ft of built –up space, Technopark hosts over 120 IT and ITES companies, employing over 15,000 IT Professionals in Indian companies and various MNC’s.
Sabriye Tenbereken and Paul Kronenberg founder of IISE, Braille without Borders (Trivendrum)
While studying Chinese and Asian civilisation in college , Sabriye was stuned to learn that in Tibet blind children were living in appalling condition-shunned by society, abandoned &left to their own devices.Sabriye who had lost her sight at the age of Twelve, promised herself that she would never allow her blindness to turn her into an invalid. Sabriye Tenbereken and Paul Kronenberg founded IISE to provide training anyone who is creative and motivated to do something for society through social and environmental projects. The institute focuses on the blind people, train in public speaking, enterprise skills, project management, planning, media relations and fund raising.
Braille without Borders is also a group founded by Sabriye Tenbereken and Paul Kronenberg , to provides counsel and services for the blind world wide.
According to Sabriye Tenbereken “One is always waiting to be Blind ,we closes our eyes & puts of the light & feel better” and “we too are Blind because we can’t read newspaper,can’t see anybody in dark ”
We are not humiliated for telling “We are blind”, because we can read in black without light but other people who are not blind they can’t do that. Hence we are special than others.
28th Dec 09: Vivekananda Rock,Kanyakumari
When we wake up and there is a new India outside the window. We had seen one of the beutiful morning of our life,all tiredness of body & mind had disappeared, It seem that there is something in the air of kanyakumari which made us energisesed. It was a popular tourist place, Kanyakumari is a place full of great natural beauty. From the blue sea of Kanyakumari town to the blue hills of the western Ghats.The three seas intermingle in an uproar of homage to the Vivekananda Rock we feel enchanted.We had done meditation there & got a peace of mind. After that we attended our 1st CNBC pannel discussion on : “Women and Enterprises”
29th Dec,09:Arvind Eye Care Hospital , Madurai
Madurai is widely known as the temple city,Madhurai is also famous for goddess Minakshi temple. We’re at Aravind Eye Care System., the largest and most productive eye care facility in the world. It is a social organization committed to the goal of elimination of needless blindness through comprehensive eye care services. It is also an international training center for ophthalmic professionals and trainees who came from within India and around the world .Which was started as a post-retirement project for Dr. G. Venkataswamy with 11 beds ,By Today they had done 34, 00,632 surgeries till March 2009, & 850-1000 surgeries done every day. After this introduction session we done virtual visit of Hospital.is It’s a charitable hospital, which makes 300 per cent return on investment, and profits are ploughed right back into the system. A classic case of social entrepreneurship; exactly for what we’re here to learn.
30th Dec,09:Kuthambakkam Village,Chennai
The road to Kuthambakkam, a village outside Chennai, was dotted by tiny hamlets and imposing engineering college campuses. Ironical because R.Elango, our role model for the day, complained of the growing distance between the higher education and the villages. He believes that to rebuild India, one must start with the villages. He should know. This chemical engineer left a comfortable job of scientist at the Central Electro Chemical Research Institute(CECRI). In 1994, inspired by Gandhi’s writings and returned to native Kuthambakkam to create a self-supporting rural economy here and was elected the village government (Panchayat) president and has since worked to transform the village. For a village that not until recently was burdened by poverty and caste divisions, the transformation is evident.Today, the village is transformed, has good basic infrastructure in place, and the villagers are now busy building an environment-friendly local economy based on a cooperative model, producing their basic necessities (like food and clothing), animal husbandry (increase milk production) within their own village. 100% literacy in the village, decrease unemployment due to Factory, they produce 2000 stove burners daily and soaps in the factory. The village have e -learning center for students and villagers.After interaction with Elango and lunch, we attained 2nd CNBC panel discussion on” Enabling Rural India to prosperity”
After Panel discussion we visited the workshop where the villagers are making handicraft items & then visited to e-learning center
31st Dec,09:Agastya International Foundation, Banglore
Agastya International Foundation campus lies at the confluence of A.P, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu in the region known as the Eastern Ghats , near to famous Kolar Gold Mines .It was a five hrs long journey from station to Agastya by bus ,the road to Agastya is full of beautiful scenatic view.
Ramji Raghavan our role Model of the day, is founder of Agastya International Foundation, he is NRI banker, came back to India with a vision of providing education to poor children and teachers-education that would be opposite to the conventional techniques that emphasize theoretical, rote based learning , That one is somewhat RISHIVAN type education . Agastya is a trust that seeks to transform and stimulate the thinking of rural children. Agastya does this by bringing science education to rural govt. schools spread across the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This is through the use of out reach programs such as the “Science on Wheels” (Mobile Van Program) and science fairs. The stated vision to build a creative India by inspiring widespread social development, innovation and leadership through education. Agastya have various educational labs like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Arts (pottery) and discovery in groups. After this visit we moved to train (we were calling to train “Home sweet home”).
It’s been a long day and we’re expecting a New Year’s Eve minus the fizz. So the night-long partying on the platform is a pleasant change from schedule.
1st Jan 2010: Mother Earth, Industree Craft, Banglore
Industree craft foundation is a non profit organization of Industree Craft Private Limited (ICPL). Industree is a social entrepreneurship based in Banglore support livelihood of rural artisans through market access, producing contemporary products using traditional crafts and using raw material that is natural in most cases. The former involves retail, design, and sourcing, warehousing and direct artisanal development across its rural village centers, while the letter acts as a medium for capacity building, skill training and design development. ICPL’s material quality is good. First they make 2-3 sample of any new product if customer demand increases for that then they train workers and give contract to them. ICPL’s contribution for rural development is really great, ICPL decreases chain of middle men and 56% profit distribute to the workers. ICPL have 300 suppliers. Distance and communication between workers are the challenges of ICPL
Neelam Chibber views on “How to run a successful enterprises” 1-Brand is important for product so first make a brand. 2-Core competency is customers’ satisfaction 3-To maintain quality of products. 4-Trust is important in business.
2nd Jan 10: Naandi Foundation ,Hyderabad
Hyderabad is today one of the fast developing cities in the country and the modern hub of IT, ITES and Biotechnology.
Naandi,which in saskrit means “a new begning” , is one of the largest and fastest growing social sector organisation in Bharat working to make poverty history .They are running World Largest “Food Feed programe”
We reached Naandi at 8:30 a.m, we visited there cooking plant they have a steam based cooking system, which consist of a rice disstoner (machine for remove stones from rice) along with big utensils with technical arrangement. They cook only semi-solid or liquid based curry and then we had interaction with Leena Joseph and Manoj Kumar (Mid Day Meal Manager). Naandi established in 1998 and work on: child rights, safe drinking water and sustainable livelihoods. They have a research arm that takes up action researches and other field based trials to check out innovations and their potential to positively influence policy. Their ideology revolves around building sustainable models within the social sector that deliver critical services efficiently and equitably to undeserved communities. Naandi haven’t any contract with Govt., they are wholesaler. They provide hot food (Dal-Rice) to 1300 schools before lunch break. They have their own transportation system. After this session we had our lunch and moved to TCS (Tata Consultancy Services,Deccan Park, Hyderabad).There we had our 3rd CNBC Panel Discussion: “Funding India’s small entrepreneurs”
Important things for business plan 1-What are sustainable? 2-What is passionate? 3-What have broad opportunities?
Important persons in business: They help you to take decision 1-Good lawyer 2-Good Chartered Accountant 3-Good Mentor
3rd Jan 10: On our way to Bhubaneshwar. We spend the morning tickling creative juices at an creative art workshop in the A.C chair car, followed by the compartment session to do analysis of role models we’ve visited.
4th Jan 10:-Gram Vikas, Behrampur,Bhubaneshwar
Gram Vikas literrally means ‘Village Development’. Joe Madiath’s Gram Vikas works on the same lines as Elango. Joe Madiath’s is a Loyola College alumnus who went to Orissa for relief work after one of its devastating floods and was moved enough to stay back and work for rural development. Madiath initially planned a dairy co-operative for the Adivasi community; makes textbook sense to us.Gram Vikas also designed “Dinbandhu” biogas plant. What he learnt the hard way is that milking cows is against Tribal culture. Experiences such as this created Gram Vikas, which doesn’t use technology to revamp village living, It only uses locally available resourses to improve on natural processes, such as ensuring continuous water supply to villages through induced gravity flow.After interaction session we visited to Battapalli village. Village has good sanitation, water supply. Gram Vikas creates awareness of health and sanitation.
Gram Vikas currently serves more than 3,00,000 people in 701 habitations of 21 districts in Orissa.
5th Jan 10: Jamshedpur Tata Steel
We all were excited for visiting to Tata steel but prior to Tata Steel visit we attained 4th CNBC panel discussion on “Renewable energy: Opportunities and challenges”
After this panel discussion, there is a presentation by the members of Cape Farewell, A organisation funded by british council creating awareness about climate change through a ship journey from Iceland to Canada via Greenland,they took artists ,scientists ,writersalong with them
I along with 9 fellow yatris done a stage performance to show people the adverse affect of climate change(i.e Drought, Flood, Hurricane, Cyclone) on mankind after our stage performance ,the local artist performed “Mahishasurmardini”. It was fantastic performance. Then we moved to visit Tata Steel works,we saw the blast furnace, oxygen pumping station, power plant & also the construction site of the world biggest steel plant which is going to be complete by 2012
Tata Steel established in 1907. Backed by 100 glorious years of experience in steel making. Tata Steel is among the top ten steel producers in the world with an existing annual crude steel production capacity of 30 million tones p.a. (MTPA). It is the first integrated steel plant in Asia and is now the world’s second most geographically diversified steel producer and a fortune 500 company. Tata steel has a balanced global presence in over 50 developed European and fast growing Asian markets with manufacturing units in 26 countries.
6th Jan 10:- On the way from Jamshedpur to Deoria
After lunch we attained AC chair car session about Deoria visit. This session conducted by Shashank Mani, Chairman of Jagriti Sewa Sansthan, Deoria. Before this session all yatris were divided in different according to their interest area. I was made Facilitator of Agro based Indusrtries. Other yatris divided in Health, Floriculture, Tourism, Waste management. Each group needs to make a business model (with revenue model) creating sustainable village industries for Deoria. We discussed on workforce development, because next day we have 2 present our bussiness model in Deoria among the villagers. We reached Deoria at 9pm. There was great welcome program organized by Jagriti Sewa Sansthan team. It was very cold but we danced with local artist on Bhojpuri songs as well as Hindi songs till 1am. Then all yatris went to sleep
7th Jan,10: Jagriti Sewa Sansthan ,Deoria
It was very cold morning. After morning ablutions and breakfast we were headed towards samiyana and in that road side farm we saw the big Banyan tree(Barr ka per) on which that Village was named Barpar, This tree is the Logo of Jagriti Sewa Sansthan.Jagriti Sewa Sansthan is a charitable organisation working towards skill based training since 2001 and is the parent organisation of Tata Jagriti Yatra. It operates in the Deoria area of eastern UP and focuses on skill based training focused on youth and women while aspiring to promote Enterprise Led Development. Jagriti trains approximately 2000 participants every year in basic skills like welding, tool cutting, toy making, scooter repair and similar trade. This skill based training is funded by the HRD ministry under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan programme. Here, yatris had pesented there business models among the villagers — creating sustainable village industries, social leaning in place. Topics include agriculture, floriculture, workforce management and healthcare. It’s interesting to watch as they converse with locals, brainstorm in their groups, add and subtract to each other’s ideas and arrive at business plans, marketing strategies and cost and revenue models for their mini enterprises.
8th Jan 10: Goonj, Delhi
Before Goonj visit we attained 5th CNBC panel discussion on “Entrepreneurship education for 21st Century”. Then we moved to Goonj,
Goonj philosphy revolves around a widely-known but seldom-implemented philospy:”one person rags can indeed be someones else’s riches,especially in context of India’s gigantic urban-rural divide”. Initiated in 1998 ,with a strong force of over 300 volunteers ,with a goal to highlight the importance of clothes as a basic need like food & sheltor .Goonj…. works through the years to channelise this resource from the cities to the far-flung countryside areas cause for most of Bharat, one’s doesn’t need disaster to support people,started with just 67 clothes now provides over 40,000kgs of materials every month in 21 states of Bharat.
Goonj is “A robust model for all manner of things that a city discards but the poor need…..and the confidence among givers that what they part with will be targeted precisely according to needs”
Goonj has built up a network of over 100 grassroot organizations, panchayats, Ashoka fellows, Social activities and units of Indian army in rural India.
A words by Ansu Gupta,founder of Goonj which made a deep impact on us “Jab Mujhe thand lagti hai tab mai ,LAAS ke saath chipak kar so jati hoon, kyo ki Laas karwat nahi badalti , tang nahi karti,”these are the words of poor girl having no clothes to wear inspite of winter & har familyis involved in a bussiness to cremenate the unidentified Dead bodyies found by Police personnels
After this interaction session we visited to manufacturing shops.
9th Jan 10:Barefoot College,Tilonia
“As the educated, be kingmaker, and not king” is the advice from ‘Bunker’ Roy, founder of the Barefoot College in Tilonia and also “one of Fifty person who can save this Planet” as per the Gardian Magazine. Roy was influencedby the philospy of “Mao Zedond” and modeled his organisation after Mao’s Barefoot Doctor’s
In College ,women comes from different states and countries like Kenya,Sudan,etc to get the Training. In this training centre women train for making PCB for solar appliance like solar batteries, etc. and more things like cloth making, sewing, craft material like bags, embroidery on clothes, soft toys, show pieces, jewelry boxes within 6 months. After completed this training they go back to their village and starts their own enterprise or training center for villagers and in this way take part in rural entrepreneurs’ development.Today Tilonia has 100% electricity (by solar energy)
Todat this village is known for its social work,addresses problems of drinking water, girl education, health and sanitation, rural unemployment, income generation, electricity and power as well as social awareness and the conservation of ecological systems in rural communities.At this model village ,we met grandmothers who work as dentists, a rural women engineers and scientists and an illiterate village architect who’s designed Tilonia the way it stands today. Sounds fantastic?
10th Jan 10: Tata Chemicals Ltd.(TCL)Mithapur, Gujarat
This was our last role model visit and 6th CNBC panel discussion on”The Power of One” in TCL. After panel discussion we visited to ‘Okhai’ products stalls. Tata Chemicals Ltd. set up the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD) in 1980 to promote its social objectives for the communities in and around Mithapur, where its facility is located. The Okhamandalregionin Gujrat is a Drought prone area,where handicrafts have been identified as a promising means of generating livelihood for hundreds of women of this area. TCSRD has taken a revolutionary initiative by forming Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the villages. At present hundreds of women are benefiting from his programme. The handicrafts made by these women are promoted under the brand name ‘Okhai’.
11th Jan 10: On the way from Mithapur to Mumbai to put down the curtains of the Yatra,we returned to Mumbai at midnight The entire day was passed taking Each other contacts & planning our future meet ,to give aur idea a shape of an Enterprise. At the end of a long and physically exhausting journey, the learning has been invaluable, it’s clear that most of us aren’t going to start enterprises anytime soon. Tomorrow, we go back to our own lives and routines. But this yatra was a real Eye opener between all the frenetic last-minute photos with friends and hugging goodbye,telling each other be in touch ,I see that a spark’s of determination to bring a change through “Enterprise Led Development” had been kindled.

Tags: spirit of pulsating dynamism, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, TJY09, Yogendra Singh

Four hundred in number on a journey they embarked
External and internal is what it encompassed

Three leaders at the helm led the force
Solidly backed by their second in line commanders josh

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Across India’s four corners – 9000 odd miles – the Yatris leapt

To awaken was the mission
‘To go out and come back’ their vision

Sparta had her three hundred
But THIS IS INDIA, with her formidable eight hundred
In the hinterlands testifies a marble engraved

Some sobered, some stimulated, some much more in doubt
Each from their comfort zone definitely kicked out

At the threshold today –
like a bud bloom awaiting
a caterpillar metamorphosing
There’s a speck in their oysters constantly pricking
It’s only a matter of time
And the world will witness these pearls will shine.

Tags: Elita Almeida, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, TJY09

To the entire TJY team, the role models we’ve visited and the inspiring Yatris from amongst ourselves.

There’s something that has each one of us motivated and driven to go that extra mile. But there are those among us however who think of the greater good of the greatest numbers. These chosen few have transcended beyond and recognized what comprises of the system that almost each one of us so truly despises without batting an eyelid. They are no rebels without a cause. They aren’t without fault either.

I’ve personally mulled and mused over what is it that propels some of us to action – while many of us are content twiddling thumbs…
How is it that some see problems while some others see challenges and hurdles that ought to be jumped over…
Some eye profit. Others believe in welfare. Some don’t view either as exclusive…
Some think but don’t act. Still others act without thinking. Very few do justice to both simultaneously…
Some dream. Few have a vision…
Some shrug shoulders. Others question. Few believe…
Many hope. Some are skeptical. Few are pragmatic…
Many choose their vocation – directly or indirectly. Fewer get chosen by their vocation…

They may be few. But they have stirred us from within. They’ve caused us to question, debate and argue. They took us right into the belly. They complicated the simple and simplified the complicated. In confusing us they’ve propelled us to chart our own new course.

They did this because we can add numbers to the few.

Tags: Elita Almeida, Experience, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, TJY09

This comprises some of the vishesh tipni’s accumulated during the 18 day Tata Jagriti Yatra. Needless to say, they are priceless.

Grab a visionary idea that excites you and discipline it. (!?!?!)

Human mind is a small mind because it thinks of immediacy (R.G.)

Optimism on TV is a lot of ifs and buts (R.G.)

Every morning when you read the newspaper you down your enthusiasm as few points (R.G.)

We are inheritors of a very rich heritage…are we going to be good ancestors? (R.G.)

Management principles: Enter a business where your heart not money is; Focus on core competencies; Don’t employ the highly qualified; Commitment matters, qualification doesn’t. (Manish Tiwari aka Dabbawala)

Look at life through a different lens and have the courage to come back and give back. (Shashank Mani)

Try to break the block. If you can’t, bypass it. (G. Vijayraghavan)

Learn things from people you don’t like. (G. Vijayraghavan)

No minister is corrupt unless he has his bureaucrat’s support. (G. Vijayraghavan)

If you have no skeletons you have nothing to worry about. (G. Vijayraghavan)

Strings become ropes. Ropes become chains. (G. Vijayraghavan)

Don’t be afraid of failure. If you think you’re going to fail, fail as fast as you can. (G. Vijayraghavan)

You need a vision. You don’t need vision to be a visionary. (Sabriye Tenberken)

I can read and write in the dark. (Sabriye Tenberken)

We are all disabled in a way – wrong calculations, big feet, runny nose’…from a bird’s point of view we are all disabled. (Sabriye Tenberken)

You should not HAVE to go to school. You should WANT to go to school. (Paul Kronenberg)

Failure is an option. (Paul Kronenberg)

You can’t do it right the first time. (Paul Kronenberg)

You don’t learn reality in school. (Paul Kronenberg)

Prescription isn’t vision. (Aravind Eye Care)

Knowledge is spoiling the people. (R. Elango)

What is missing is cause – effect thinking. (Agastya International Foundation)

Why be judged by a sense of aesthetic given to us by the West? (Industree)

For every single Re. 1 spent on individual citizens, 16 p reaches them. (Naandi Foundation)

The completely unsexy incommunicable disease called HUNGER. (Naandi Foundation)

Swine flu became sensational because it came from an aeroplane. (Naandi Foundation)

If I’m going to be more popular than the Government, I’ll be out of business. (Naandi Foundation)

The poor have far more dignity than all of us put together. (Naandi Foundation)

Poor people need poor solutions. Really poor people need pathetic solutions (according to the Govt of India)…there’s subsidy for the privileged all throughout. (Gram Vikas)

Never grow as an organization. Grow as an idea. (Goonj)

In donation you give what you have, not what we need. (Goonj)

Formal education makes life less challenging. (Barefoot College)

The best work you do is when you are insecure…yet you struggle…when your back is against the wall, everyone is looking at you and no one is going to help you. (Barefoot College)

Lots of people say they want to give their life for a village…I say, just give seven days. (Barefoot College)

Be a kingmaker. Not the king. (Barefoot College)

Tags: Elita Almeida, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, TJY09

Kuch badal raha kuch badlenge
Tab badlega jab badelenge
Kuch ddekha he kuch dekhenge
Kuch likha he kuch likhdenge
Yaaron Chalo, Badalne Ki Rut hai
Yaaron Chalo, Badalne Ki Rut hai.

-Prasoon Joshi

24th Dec 2009: with my friends I reached at Dadar (Mumbai), from Dadar to Ravindra Natya Mandir we went by Taxi. Travelling arrangement done by Karan Shah is our TJY friend. We completed our registration process after that we got ID card and yatra kit then we joined our TJY group and then there was round of introduction within group members.
Dabbawalla System: Manish Tripathi is the Director of Mumbai’s Dabbawallas. More than 175,000 or 200,000 lunch boxes get moved every day by an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 dabbawalas. They have not had any strike for 116 years. Dabbawalla industry continues to grow at a rate of 5-10% p.a.

Manish Tripathi:

• Education and language is important but it is not a barrier in success.
• Commitment and team building is important in business.

After this session we finished dinner and all yatris went to Mumbai Central by TJY buses but some were left unfortunately. I was there then Volunteer Gaurav helped us and we went by taxi. Train was late hence we celebrate Christmas at Mumbai Central platform.

25th Dec 09: Train facilities were ultimate such as: Bathrooms, Water distribution, AC chair car, pantry system, control room (sweet sound: Good morning Yatris) instructions, security.
AC chair car session: Introduction to TJY team, concept of role models and visits.
Compartment session: Group discussion about our work, sharing knowledge, ideas about business.

26th Dec 09: Beautiful morning in Kerala. Lakes, coconut trees, marvelous greenery.
AC chair car: Discussion about the key aspects of entrepreneurship:

• To read about economics, international study.
• o manage your database : 1) Policy of company 2) Presentation 3) Quantity
• To attain business related conference
• Watch NDTV for business guidance.

27th Dec 09: 9am Trivendrum, Kerala. TECHNOPARK
G.Vijayaraghavan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Technopark in Trivendrum. Technopark is India’s first technology park and among the three largest IT parks in India today. This is the first CMMI level 5 assessed Technology Park. Spread over 300 acres and about 2.1m sq ft of built –up space, Technopark hosts over 120 IT and ITES companies, employing over 15,000 IT Professionals in Indian companies and various MNC’s.
G.Vijayaraghavan:

• Don’t fight and don’t waste your time.
• Project and people who are working for project are important.
• Don’t ask Govt. for money & it’s support; only ask for license facility for development.
• Do not blame something, avoid ego then anybody can do anything.
• Always think about where I spend money? And why?
• Your project should be viable.
• During the project period live lonely not with financial adviser.

IISE, Braille without Borders (Trivendrum)
Sabriye Tenbereken and Paul Kronenberg founder of IISE. IISE provide training anyone who is creative and motivated to do something for society through social and environmental projects. The institute focuses on the blind people, train in public speaking, enterprise skills, project management, planning, media relations and fund raising.
Braille without Borders, a group that provides counsel and services for the blind world wide.
Campus of IISE: Unique architecture, constructed by eco friendly mud, drainage system, window shape designs for ventilation and light. They use solar energy e.g. solar water heater. Clean and green campus.
Sabriye Tenbereken:

• We are not humiliated for telling “We are blind”, because we can read in black without light but other people who are not blind they can’t do that. Hence we are special than others.
• Courage, knowledge and self confidence are important.
• Success is where we are not need any more.
• Communication having thinking and communicate with each other, without these things you can not be a good leader.

www.braillewithoutborder.org

28th Dec 09: Kanyakumari
A popular tourist place, Kanyakumari is aplace of great natural beauty. From the blue sea of Kanyakumari town to the blue hills of the western Ghats.The three seas intermingle in an uproar of homage to the Vivekananda Rock we feel enchanted.
1st CNBC pannel discussion: Women and Enterprises

29^th Dec 09: Madhurai ,Tamil Nadu Arvind Eye Care Hospital

Madhurai is a temple city,Madhurai is a famous temple. We reached Arvind Eye Care Hospital at 9am. We all gathered at the Hospital’s auditorium we saw a documentery of ‘Infinite Vision’ then interacted with Dr.S. Aravind, Chief Medical Officer.

Hospital founded in 1976 by Dr.G.Venkataswamy. Aravind Eye Care System is the largest and most productive eye care facility in the world. It is a social organization committed to the goal of elimination of needless blindness through comprehensive eye care services. It is also an international training center for ophthalmic professionals and trainees who came from within India and around the world. It is an institute for research that contributes to the development of eye care and to train health-related and managerial personnel in the development and implementation of efficient and sustainable eye care programs. Hospital began just 11 beds today, in addition to the hospital in Madhurai, there are four other hospitals in Theni, Tirunelveli coimbatore and Pondicherry with a combined total of nearly 3,590 beds. They have mobile van for find out patients. 34, 00,632 total surgeries till March 2009. 850-1000 surgeries done every day. After this introduction session we done virtual visit of Hospital.

30^th Dec 2009: Chennai capital of Tamil Nadu Kuthambakkam Village

This is my second time of volunteering after Kanyakumari. Jerin, Poonam and me selected in branding as well as for crowd management team, Pundalik was the leader of transport management. We reached at village by buses. Beautiful Rangoli (front yard decoration) in front of gate for TJY welcome. We went inside the village hall; there we interacted with R Elango. Elango belongs to one of the most backward farming communities in southern India. Like many of the ambitious educated village youth, he moved from his village to a city, he is chemical engineer and was a scientist at the Central Electro Chemical Research Institute. In 1994, inspired by Gandhi’s writings, he left his job, returned to his village and was elected the village government (Panchayat) president and has since worked to transform the village. Elando has worked with many national committees on rural development, was recently awarded “Ashoka Fellowship” and has been invited by the UK and USA government to study local governance. Kuthambakkam village has 5000 population, a few years ago, the village was fraught with poverty, inflicted with violence against lower castes (dalit) and women, had 35% its population involved in illicit liquor brewing and lacked infrastructure. Today, the village is transformed, has good basic infrastructure in place, and the villagers are now busy building an environment-friendly local economy based on a cooperative model, producing their basic necessities (like food and clothing), animal husbandry (increase milk production) within their own village. 100% literacy in the village, decrease unemployment due to Factory, they produce 2000 stove burners daily and soaps in the factory. The village have e-learning center for students and villagers.

After interaction with Elango and lunch, we attained 2^nd CNBC panel discussion on Enabling Rural India to prosperity

Lack of time all yatris could not visited to factory and e-learning center, hence Yatris divided in two groups and one group visited to factory and another group visited to e-learning center, we reached center at 6.15pm, after this visit we moved to Chennai railway station by buses, and this time I spent with Poonam and her favorite Gujju songs.

31^st Dec 09: Banglore Agastya International Foundation

I really enjoyed my volunteering role in this Yatra, this role had responsibility and fun with friends. I am missing my all TJY friends. Three hrs journey from station to Agastya by bus but we enjoy lot, played Antakshri, Damsheras and funny games in a bus. Some buses reached at time but some were late hence we could not attained discussion but we attained questions–answers session with Ramji Raghavan founder of Agastya International Foundation, he is NRI banker, came back to India with a vision of providing education to poor children and teachers. Agastya is a trust that seeks to transform and stimulate the thinking of rural children. Agastya does this by bringing science education to rural govt. schools spread across the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This is through the use of out reach programs such as the “Science on Wheels” (Mobile Van Program) and science fairs. The stated vision to build a creative India by inspiring widespread social development, innovation and leadership through education. Agastya have various educational labs like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Arts (pottery) and discovery in groups. After this visit we moved to train (we were calling to train “Home sweet home”).

This is 31^st night of 2009 we celebrate New Year on platform with music and dance… First time in my life I danced till 2am. All TJY team danced with us. Really it was great moment of my life. I can’t state in the words.

1^st Jan 2010: Banglore,  Mother Earth mall, Industree Craft

Mother Earth is a big store of craft material and attractive also. My friend Poonam working with Industree craft foundation, this is non profit organization (ICF) of Industree Craft Private Limited (ICPL).  Industree is a social entrepreneurship based in Banglore support livelihood of rural artisans through market access, producing contemporary products using traditional crafts and using raw material that is natural in most cases. The former involves retail, design, and sourcing, warehousing and direct artisanal development across its rural village centers, while the letter acts as a medium for capacity building, skill training and design development. ICPL’s material quality is good. First they make 2-3 sample of any new product if customer demand increases for that then they train workers and give contract to them. ICPL’s contribution for rural development is really great, ICPL decreases chain of middle men and 56% profit distribute to the workers. ICPL have 300 suppliers. Distance and communication between workers are the challenges of ICPL.

Neelam Chibber, Industree Craft-

• Brand is important for product so first make a brand.
• Core competency is customers’ satisfaction
• To maintain quality of products.
• Trust is important in business.

2^nd Jan 10: Hyderabad Naandi

Hyderabad is today one of the fast developing cities in the country and the modern hub of IT, ITES and Biotechnology. My TJY friend Dipika is from Hyderabad, She told us some specialty of Hyderabad one of that “Hyderabad ki Biryani”. But never got chance to eat. When reached at Naandi, we saw rice disstoner (machine for remove stones from rice) then big utensils with technical arrangement, and then we interacted with Leena Joseph and Manoj Kumar (Mid Day Meal Manager).  Naandi established in 1998 and work on: child rights, safe drinking water and sustainable livelihoods. They have a research arm that takes up action researches and other field based trials to check out innovations and their potential to positively influence policy. Their ideology revolves around building sustainable models within the social sector that deliver critical services efficiently and equitably to undeserved communities. Naandi haven’t any contract with Govt. they are wholesaler. They provide hot food (Dal-Rice) to 1300 schools before lunch break. They have their own transportation system. After this session we finished lunch and moved to TCS (Tata Consultancy Services, Hyderabad). My TJY friend Raghav leaved Yatra in Hyderabad, he went back to home.

TCS (Tata Consultancy Services, Hyderabad): Remarkable architecture and campus of TSC, but camera, laptop is not allowed in the campus, hence we haven’t photos of that moments.

3^rd CNBC Panel Discussion: Funding India’s small entrepreneurs

• Value addition concept important in any production.
• Be familiar with financial institutions.
• Don’t be hurry to equity capital raise money from family or friends then go to debt.
• Going bankrupt is not a bad thing, we learn more from failure. Need to sure, why you are fail?
• Where you spend this is not space for entrepreneur; where you earn and save money this is entrepreneur.
• Build the business according to cultural background of region not only fund.
• Money is easiest thing to get but idea is important, if you have great idea / plan then you will get money.
• Important things for business plan

1. What are sustainable?
2. What is passionate?
3. What have broad opportunities?

• Important persons in business: They help you to take decision

1. Good lawyer
2. Good Chartered Accountant
3. Good Mentor

3^rd Jan 10: Creative session at AC chair car

Creative and IT session were the main activity of this day. It was not compulsory session; hence I attained only creative session. Foreigner artist given some tips of composition and drawing. They given task to us then we compose poem and draw those thing which were mention in poem means generally what we say draw these thing and say in picture language. I like this art but it is very complicated to draw.

4^th Jan 10: Bhubaneshwar Gram Vikas, Mohuda Village (Berhampur)

We reached Gram Vikas at 10.15am by bus, we walk through campus and saw beautiful flowers, trees and architecture, and then we interacted with Joe Madiath. Gram Vikas working since 1979, to bring about sustainable improvement in the quality of life of poor and marginalized rural communities mostly in Orissa. 1983-84: 54,000 biogas plants existing in Orissa, 15% plants incurred by Govt. Gram Vikas designed “Dinbandhu” biogas plant. The core group of Gram Vikas had come to Orissa as students volunteers of Young Students’ Movement for Development (YSMD). Gram Vikas currently serves more than 2, 50,000 people in 701 habitations of 21 districts in Orissa. Gram Vikas helps marginalized tribal groups and themselves to solve a wide range of social and health problems. After interaction session we visited to Battapalli village. Village has good sanitation, water supply. Gram Vikas creates awareness of health and sanitation. Orissa get Govt. fund more than other states and pay taxes less than other states.

5^th Jan 10: Jamshedpur Tata Steel

We all were excited for visiting to Tata steel because we had presentation on Tata Steel, but we reached late hence assembled at Main Lawn and attained 4^th CNBC panel discussion on Renewable energy: Opportunities and challenges.

• 400million people (70% people) haven’t access of electricity.
• When you think about any project focus on Design, Affordability and Productivity.
• Power is a need of any development.

After this panel discussion some yatris showed stage performance and local artist performed “Mahishasurmardini”. It was fantastic performance. Then we moved to Tata Steel works, It was only bus visit we sat in a bus and looking through a window. There is a big statue of J.N.Tata, beautiful fountain and clean campus. We visited at night it was dazzling view of the company. We saw hot red rods, furnace and management sections.

Tata Steel established in 1907. Backed by 100 glorious years of experience in steel making. Tata Steel is among the top ten steel producers in the world with an existing annual crude steel production capacity of 30 million tones p.a. (MTPA). It is the first integrated steel plant in Asia and is now the world’s second most geographically diversified steel producer and a fortune 500 company. Tata steel has a balanced global presence in over 50 developed European and fast growing Asian markets with manufacturing units in 26 countries.

After this visit we tired hence we didn’t common room discussion and went to sleep. Next day we discussed Tata steel visit in Boys’ compartment. Girls’ compartment had not sufficient space hence we went to boys’ compartment and preparing for presentation, after lunch we attained AC chair car session about Deoria visit. This session conducted by Shashank Sir, Chairman of Jagriti Sewa Sansthan, Deoria. Before this session all yatris divided according to their interest area, I was in Workforce development. Other yatris divided in Health, Floriculture, Tourism, Waste management. Each group needs to make at least one business model (with revenue model) for Deoria. We discussed on workforce development, because next day it was a competition with other groups in Deoria. We reached Gorakhpur at 9pm. There was great welcome program organized by Jagriti Sewa Sansthan team. It was very cold but we danced with local artist on Bhojpuri songs as well as Hindi songs till 1am. Then all yatris went ot sleep except group ‘O’, because we want to discuss on Tata Steel that is why Raj Sir given permission to us. We were discussing but after one an hour I went to sleep other group mates continued their discussion.

7^th Jan 10: Deoria, U.P. Jagriti Sewa Sansthan
Beautiful morning in Deoria, we woke up at 7am. It was very cold morning. After morning ablutions and breakfast we were going towards pavilion and in that road side farm we saw the big Banyan tree, Shashank Sir said, “This tree is Jagriti’s logo”. In the pavilion we made business models for Deoria. Models from two groups were selected i.e. Health awareness and tourism. During this activity Shashank Sir announced, all yatris name carved on granite slab behind the temple, hearing this sound we wondered and ran to wards granite slab for to see it and then we took photos and came back to pavilion then Shashank Sir’s mother told about Deoria and Jagriti Sewa Sansthan. Deoria is located in an underdeveloped region of the country and therefore some of the cultural and socio-economic enterprises with a view to see how would you scale them up. Jagriti Sewa Sansthan is a charitable organisation working towards skill based training since 2001 and is the parent organisation of Tata Jagriti Yatra. It operates in the Deoria area of eastern UP and focuses on skill based training focused on youth and women while aspiring to promote Enterprise Led Development. Jagriti trains approximately 2000 participants every year in basic skills like welding, tool cutting, toy making, scooter repair and similar trade. This skill based training is funded by the HRD ministry under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan programme. Only 60% peolple have electricity in Deoria. Ayodhya is nearest by Deoria hence tourism is good occupation for people. Education condition is awful number of dropout students in village area.
Jagriti Enterprise Network provide -
·    Skill development training for youth and women
·    Women education and secondary education
·    Health facility and create awareness.
After this we enjoyed performance of village artist, it was fantastic performance. After this village we moved to railway station. This night we had presentation on Tata steel, all yatris in been sleepy mood and only one bogie yatris attained this presentation because all tired due to this visit and it was too late. Dipika, Mahesh, Chaitanya, Amitabh and my self we present this presentation and technical work done by Khamir (our facilitator) and Hemakshi.
Impact of Tata steel-
•          Jamshedpur -the city has 3rd highest per capita income in India
•          Company patronizes social organizations and small scale industries by giving them order preference, which otherwise may have been manufactured by large units.
•          Upliftment of economically backward classes of society
•          Major contributor in the industrial growth of the country
•          Tata Steel won Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility on March 4, 2009
•          It is a pioneer of continual commitment by business to ethical behavior, to economic development and to improving the quality of life of employees and their families, as well as to engagement with local communities and society at large.
Environmental Sustainability-
•          Only ISO-14001 certified company in India
•          Efficient fuel substitutes
•          Reuse of byproducts
•          Replacing old machinery with environment friendly technology
•          Close monitoring of water losses
•          36% reduction in carbon emission from 1996 to 2008
•          Learning by Tata Steel: The power of Dreams, Vision and Devotion. Germinating, nurturing and developing a business with unchanged vision, ethos and integrity.
8^th Jan 10: Delhi Goonj
Before Goonj visit we attained 4^th CNBC panel discussion on Entrepreneurship education for 21^st Century. Then we moved to Goonj, Sarita vihar it was short visit because we reached late at Goonj. Anshu Gupta had given information about Goonj and their work. Anshu has organized an effective distribution channel for disposing off reusable resources lying in urban, well-off house holds. Anshu has started with the distribution of recycled clothes as an entry point into the movement. A unique resource mobilization initiative providing clothes and other basic amenities to millions in the far-flung areas by turning one’s wastage into a resource for another. Initiated in 1998 with just 67 clothes, we now send out over 20000kgs of material every month in 19 states. A force of over 300 volunteers, Goonj has built up a network of over 100 grassroot organizations, panchayats, Ashoka fellows, Social activities and units of Indian army in rural India. After this interaction session we visited to manufacturing shops.
9^th Jan 10: Tilonia, Rajasthan Barefoot College
Great welcome in this village with big puppets and students and their teachers were standing by both side of the road and saying “Namaste”. It was really respected welcome for TJY yatris. This was pleasant role model visit. Visit started with introduction of Barefoot college section and work documentary. All yatris divide in eight groups and each group had 50 yatris and one guide of this institute. We saw solar energy appliances like solar panel, solar cooker, solar batteries, solar water distiller, solar water heater as well as music instruments made by college students(by using wood) , toys, decoration material, and chalks (they make chalks for sale). College has training center for women. Women come here from different states and countries like Africa. In this training centre women train for making PCB for solar appliance like solar batteries, etc. and more things like cloth making, sewing, craft material like bags, embroidery on clothes, soft toys, show pieces, jewelry boxes within 6 months. After completed this training they go back to their village and starts their own enterprise or training center for villagers and in this way take part in rural entrepreneurs’ development. This college has shopping centre. This centre has variety of Rajasthani things like Dresses, shoes, bags, furniture, etc. After shopping we saw puppet play and then interaction with Bunker Roy who is the founder of Barefoot College.  Tilonia has 100% electricity (by solar energy). Tilonia brings spirit of India. Tilonia is a small town 25 kms from Kishangarh near Ajmer and 7 kms off jaipur-Ajmer highway. Barefoot college inspires this town, which began in 1972 with the conviction that solutions to rural problems lie within the community. The college knows as Social work and Research Centre, addresses problems of drinking water, girl education, health and sanitation, rural unemployment, income generation, electricity and power as well as social awareness and the conservation of ecological systems in rural communities. After questions-Answers session we ate tasty “Dhokala” with hot coffee and moved to Ajmer railway station by bus.
10 Jan 10: Mithapur, Gujarat Tata Chemicals Ltd.(TCL)
This was our last role model visit and CNBC panel discussion on The Power of One in TCL. After panel discussion we visited to ‘Okhai’ products stalls. Tata chemicals Ltd. set up the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD) in 1980 to promote its social objectives for the communities in and around Mithapur, where its facility is located. The Okhamandal handicrafts have been identified as a promising means of generating livelihood for hundreds of women of this area. TCSRD has taken a revolutionary initiative by forming Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the villages. At present hundreds of women are benefiting from his programme. The handicrafts made by these women are promoted under the brand name ‘Okhai’.
·        Should have boudryless thinking
·        Conviction is important in business
·        One is important number because everything starts from one
·        To be of fearless is your own responsibility, no one help you.
·        Always think, how you increase your strength?
·        Always choose this field, in which you are interested.
This was last night with TJY friends. It was really a tough time for everyone; we took photos with friends, groups, organizing team members, volunteers.
11 Jan 10: Mithapur to Mumbai Central
We all are sorrow, some yatris were crying. We wrote testimonial letter to our friends and put it in empty decorative Himalaya’s water bottle. Whole day we were busy in taking contact numbers, addresses and all yatris told each other “Stay in touch”……

[Reproduced from Farzana's blog.]

Tags: Braille without borders, Dabbawalla, Farzana Tamboli, G. Vijayaraghavan, IISE, Manish Tripathi, Prasoon Joshi, Sabriye Tenbereken, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, Technopark, TJY09, Trivandrum

“18 days, 13 states, 9400 kms, 400 unknown faces and 1 train” this can’t get bigger.
The start of my yatra! I had decided that I will blog all details of the Yatra everyday but that seems to be an unviable option now, not because of less accessibility to the net but due to my hectic schedule (not really) it’s not nice to mention laziness (blame the weather & hot food n tea).
Well, the first day…! Little nervous, little anxious, little worried, lot more confused and hell lot of excitement was what I was going through. On my way to Ravindra Natya Mandir I was still contemplating on my decision to go on this Yatra. I was rather convincing myself that this trip with 399 unknown faces from different part of the world is going to be exciting. I have never been out of my comfort zone in my life. No hostel no weird places no random travelling. Though I always wanted to go on a random trip, I never thought about if I can ever do it. Dreaming is easy but when your dream is served to you in a platter, it gets uncomfortable if this is really meant to be. And there I am in Ravindra Natya Mandir with all young enthusiasts and with lot of excitement in their face for awakening their entrepreneurial spirit. I again asked to myself “should I really go…can I go back and do my routine strategy job (which I love btw)?” As I stepped in, I was lost in midst of strange people.
The process starts. I have landed here and proceeding towards the registration and I tagged my luggage, then they tagged me! They gave me a t-shirt and a bag and divided us in groups. Initially felt a little weird but I liked my group. All were super talented and then looking around I thought I had missed a train to fashionland or am I too old for them. Well later on I just realized that after trading in the book bag for a brief case and casual gear for business attire may be this is how it feels. Since I had to spend 18 days with them, I thought it will be a good idea to be liked and to like others so I went around talking to everyone. It was great fun, then came the lunch time that I was really looking forward to and was worth the wait. After some more socializing, we had the flag off session which was simply superb. I totally loved the way the stage looked!! ‘wow’ and we had our TATA Jagriti Anthem – ‘Yaaro Chalo’ for the first time. It just brought in oodles of enthusiasm in all of us and the dance was perfectly choreographed. Now I was very excited about the trip…
All of us got into the bus and were taken to the Mumbai Central station. I felt like herd of cattle the way we were asked to get into buses numbered from 1 to 10. (well, the cattle feeling just got stronger by the day). After we reached the station we got to know that the train was late and we spent hours on the platform and celebrated Christmas and finally even slept there till our ‘home for the next 18 days’ arrived. But every dark cloud has a silver lining. I made fantastic friends because of the train delay. If not for that day I would not have met some of my friends who are very special to me now.
And the train arrived @ 3.00 am. All I remember now is I got into my compartment and just dozed off and next morning I woke up to see who all were actually there in my bogie/coupe/cohourt. (I still don’t know what is it called) and I was so happy because all were so sweet and fun to be with and especially Sudha who was exactly like me ☺ I thought to myself this is going to be one of the best trip of my life. And I am not wrong…
At last, I would say that along the journey has been wonderful.

Those smiles shared,
Those tears wiped,
Those moments of togetherness,
Those few moments of dejections,
And the moments of separations,
Never can one erase this from my heart and mind…

Tags: Darshna Ganapathy, Experience, Tata Jagriti Yatra 2009, TJY09