The meaning of life as many believe pertains to the significance of living. The search for life has led many to find different meaning and has produced much philosophical, scientific, theological, and metaphysical speculation throughout history.
To find this answer and to spread awareness about harmful effects of plastic, a 19-year-old Nagpur boy Rohan Agrawal left his home with just a backpack and Rs 2500 in his wallet. And continued walking since 420 days across 15 states of India to tell people that humanity still exist and raise environmental.
Travelling cities on foot and through hitchhiking seemed impossible at first, but little did he imagine that the people are more than what we consider. The kind strangers gave him a ride, fed him and welcomed him into their homes throughout his journey.
Fond of the Gurukul system of education in which students had to undertake a Deshatan (journey across India), Rohan also decided to take a journey in the same way.
“The intention of such journey was to learn about India’s culture, its people, broaden perspective on life and learn practical life skills” Rohan said while talking to The Live Nagpur.
“I have travelled through forest, cities, hill-stations, rural areas and saw how people live happily even with little things and handful of resources in life” he said.
Throughout my journey to different cities I have been volunteering for different group helping the locals, spreading awareness on climate and harmful effects of plastic on the environment.
Remembering his most memorable and difficult journey Rohan recalled “I was travelling from Shimla to Manali. One of my friends informed me that there are two routes for Manali, one from an area called Mandi and one from Great Himalyan National Park. He said that the journey would be full of surprise and magnificent view but the area is covered with high trees, hills and dense forest.
The journey had many difficulties. At first I saw people but gradually as I went deep into the park the voice of forest echoed from everywhere covering the noise of humans. I had travelled to 30 km in a single day with no water no food, helpless to see one single human being that’s when I broke for the first time and thought about my travelling methods.
“I was standing at a high cliff and there was no sign of human life. Fortunately, out of nowhere, I heard a horn sound a man came to me and asked about my whereabouts. I asked him for a lift and he dropped me to a nearby village. There I met a few locals, interacted with them. They gave me food, water but were hesitant to let me sleep in their area”.
“Seeing me helpless, tired a local man came to me and told that I could set a camp near his small shop in which three of them were already sleeping. The next morning I woke up in shock, I saw that man’s eyes were red, upon enquiring he said that he was protecting me from the wild animals, and other possible dangers in the area and had not slept for a minute”.
Such people inspire me to continue my journey.
As of now, I will be travelling to Chandrapur, Gadchiroli to learn their culture, the way they celebrate their happiness and share their sorrow and show the world how they live. “I will travel throughout India and explore more. Later I’ll be going by walk till Siberia (-72 degree celsius) coldest place on the Earth. I will be the first Indian to reach there on foot” Rohan added.
