Jagriti Yatra: ‘Yaaron chalo, badalne ki rut hai’

What is Jagriti Yatra?

Jagriti Yatra is an ambitious train journey of discovery and transformation that takes hundreds of India's highly motivated youth, especially those who are from small towns and villages of India, on a 15 day, 8000 km national odyssey to meet the role models - social and business entrepreneurs - of the country. The vision of Jagriti is 'building India through enterprise' and its mission is to nurture 1 Lakh (1,00,000) entrepreneurs by 2022 and create 10 Lakh (10,00,000) jobs in this process!

To know more about it, you can check out www.jagritiyatra.com

Why is it important to me?

My desire to board the Jagriti Yatra train surfaced in February 2015 when I first sighted a reference made to it on social media. I was amazed to know their mission and the impact it has on ex- Yatris, how each one of them in their own way is trying to build India of their dreams. 

I disliked certain aspects of my own country and often dared (in my mind or amongst friends) to dream of changing everything overnight. Although, I always made it a point to do my bit in every way possible, seldom had I taken a concrete step which would extend beyond my own little world.  Maybe till then I had never dared to dream big. I researched and asked amazing people around me about the most pressing issues which impact not just India but also the world. I spent weeks to figure out how we can bring the change we want to see in the society and an idea sprouted in my brains. I am an art and health enthusiast and plan to use art forms to educate masses, to be compassionate towards each other, animals, environment, everyone. I have a dream now, slowly metamorphosing into a goal.

 To my immense pleasure and surprise, I got the JY selection mail on October 21st! I cannot express the magnitude of my happiness! Not only would I be meeting the change-makers who started out on a journey just like me and made a difference to thousands of lives, but I would also forge bonds with like-minded young leaders who would be my co-Yatris from all possible cultures and backgrounds. It will definitely be the best and once in a lifetime experience for me!

I am looking forward to refining my goal, brainstorm ideas, understand challenges faced by people in rural/ semi-urban areas, find solutions, create opportunities for the masses and learn about various facets of establishing a social enterprise. Jagriti Yatra is that platform for me- to help me actualize my goal and I need your love and support to help me reach that platform!

A little bit about myself?

I currently work as a Software Engineer in Bangalore, India. I am a photographer & a traveler by passion, an avid reader, and a deep, inquisitive thinker. A project requirement gave me the opportunity to stay in Netherlands for 3 months, during which I traveled to 8 different countries and gained invaluable insights into different races and cultures. I have often been questioned by family and friends whether I would settle down abroad because of the easier (I bet, they must be having their own challenges) and more comfortable life there. The answer for me wasn’t to relocate but to bring all which is better there to India and transform my own country.

JY featured in media

http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/jagriti-yatra-instills-spirit-of-entrepreneurship/story/203613.html

http://forbesindia.com/article/work-in-progress/jagriti-yatra-a-journey-into-middle-india/37339/1

What else would I be doing?

Apart from being on my journey of awakening, I will be drafting the key learning from the role model visits, panel discussions, Biz Gyan Tree and interactions on the train along with my co-Yatris. You all will be able to download this report- Yatra Saar 2015- later from the site.

Funding Details

My only major expense is the Yatri fee which is Rs. 59,000. Food and accommodation in Yatra train are sponsored.

I will have to travel from Bangalore to Mumbai to join the Yatra and also back from Mumbai to Bangalore when Yatra ends which will cost me around Rs. 7000 including my food, travel and accommodation in Mumbai.

Rewards 

I want to make each of my donors a part of my journey and to express my gratitude I would be rewarding in my own little way as below

Rs.100 – Rs.400 “Thank you” shout out on social media.

Rs.500 – Rs.700 Photo-card having images from my visit with a personalized message (Mind you, I make good pictures!)

Rs.800 – Rs.1000 Souvenirs from the places I would be visiting!

Other ways to contribute

Even a few hundreds would be a meaningful contribution. However, if you are unable to help me financially you could also help me by providing tips for accommodation, food and travel in Mumbai.

If you could host me in Mumbai, I would be very grateful because you would not only be helping me save on expenses but would also be giving me the memory of staying at a home. I would really appreciate that.

Needless to mention, sharing this campaign across social platforms would be really helpful.

Itinerary

23rd December: Bangalore to Mumbai; Stay in Mumbai

24th December - 8th January: Jagriti Yatra

8th January – 9th January: Stay in Mumbai

9th January: Mumbai to Bangalore