Just a few days left (2 to be precise) to flag off the train that will take me on a journey around Incredible India – the really incredible India , rather. Yes! I am all set to go on the Jagriti Yatra which is an ambitious train journey of discovery and transformation that takes hundreds of India’s highly motivated youth (read ‘Gracy’ ) on an 15 day national odyssey. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship.The vision of Jagriti is to inspire young Indians living in the middle of the Indian demographic diamond (Rs 40 – Rs 120 per day) to lead development by taking to enterprise. The message of the Yatra is expressed through Jagriti Geet – ‘Yaaron Chalo, Badalne Ki Rut hai’ a message is of a positive change through enterprise. Instead of bemoaning what is wrong with the country, our participants and the Jagriti fraternity takes action by enterprise led development to make India better. Whether I will become one , only time will tell.. but for now here’s a little heads-up from my end : “ I am meeting my Pardner for a venture I shall soon start, at the JY , after those many months of ideations and development via Google’s IM client. (Yeah! Google is the platinum sponsor of JY 2011.)  

As clichéd as it may sound, It only seems like yesterday when I was jumping in joy on my selection for the (then) Tata Jagriti Yatra, executing those acts of persuasion to let the family allow me to embark on what some call a “life changing journey. Imma go to places I’ve never been before, meet an awesome bunch of people who are most likely to  shape future India , learn the learning of a lifetime. That said, I am asked to come with an open mind and zero expectations, which I think I will try and do. It *is* a little difficult to do that when you’ve been interacting with ex-yatris on FB groups, readings blogs of those who had been on the JY before and speaking to these guys! 

A few snippets from what I was talking about:  
"The yatra was like a blank canvas on which we could paint afresh. There was a lot of creative energy and openness amongst the yatris which contributed to lively and animated discussions. The diversity amongst the 400 odd yatris was overwhelming and the friendships forged will be everlasting." Sidhartha Jatar, Yatri 2009

"Yatra: adherence & friction, varieties & commonness, urban to rural…one common goal! this is exactly how I want my generation to be like…my India to be in our hands. Inspiration, perspiration & fun. Yatra gave me the vision how my nation is going to be." Manu Gupta, Yatri

1 Train | 12 Destinations | 15 Role Models
15 Days | 450 Youths | 9000 kms

A Journey of discovery and transformation…

The feeling, now? Nervous excitement!  With less than 4 hours to my Mumbai flight, I think I’m having the jitters!    “Where will my feet take me today Nobody knows for sure! One step at a time who could suppose what together we’ll find?” –> #SongStuckInMyHead Used to sing this during the times I was a regular Nickelodeon’!

I shall meet my first yatri friend, Deepti Bhat at the airport and I’m meeting my best friend from school after nearly a decade ( I guess)– PK who’ll take us on a one-day trip of Mumbai on the 23rd. And on the 24th – induction at IIT B,  where I shall meet you all ,my fellow yatris!!

Let’s have the time of our lives now , shall we?  

ps: Rest of my good friends, I shall blog my experience on a daily basis (hopefully) from the train’s blogging facility. Tweeting will also happen ( @g33f)

Stay tuned.

Peace