IMPRESSIONs Padmaja
29 ChinnaShodha Yatra

My participation in the CSY was long pending and it surely is an extension of the curiosity that was piqued by my association with PS and Brigadier Sir from the year 2014 to early 2017. I am so glad to be ending this year with CSY29. I consider it a personal achievement of the mind as well as my body.
ShodhaYatra is truly the much-needed pilgrimage that needs to be experienced by anybody who has interest in rural India, nature and simple living. I would specifically recommend it to the youth of this beautiful nation. It truly is a pilgrimage to the forgotten temples of Knowledge as rightly said, in the lap of simplicity, experiencing nature and village expertise first-hand.
The route and the activities was what attracted me to take up this Yatra. The task of visiting villages by foot seemed challenging. My wish for experiencing simple, basic living and nature and the fact that I have never been in an Indian village all my life was what lead me to participate in the Yatra. Walking with strangers from all walks of life, each having a different objective for why they want to take up this Yatra was something that interested me. Of course, it is an unsaid promise to Brigadier Sir, which I am glad I have fulfilled finally!
I’m glad I approached the Yatra in the right frame of mind, empty! And there is no single way I can clearly pinpoint how my mind has absorbed the various aspects of the Yatra. Nothing or nobody can prepare you for such a kind of onslaught and I believe it is a truly personal take away of sorts.
The deepest impact I have had over the three days is the situation of our Indian rural life. The day to day struggles, the not so perfect infrastructure, the trials at Grass root level. Stories of struggles, sadness, knowledge and richness in various aspects of simple and basic living are what you can learn and absorb while you walk. The understanding of how lucky we are to be in the cities living the way we do is something beyond comprehension for many people.
Meeting grass root innovators; their simple and die-hard attitude to ease pain as is, yet humble, providing selfless service; village elders who are treasure troves of knowledge in their own right; be it with farming or alternative medicine was worth experiencing over the three days. Understanding women’s issues, meeting children was also one of the objectives of the Yatra.
It was a very fulfilling experience to be walking through the villages, meeting people in their own environment. What you gain from each of these experiences is very personal I would say yet again. For me it has been an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Each meeting was having its own significance personally, as a professional, as a citizen of this beautiful country and finally as a fellow human being. This Yatra not only further challenges me in many ways but has also answered so many curious questions that I had hidden within myself.
If walking into the villages is one part of the Yatra, spending time with Co-Yatris, understanding group dynamics, rules of travel and living within the available circumstances have been the best takeaways.
Interacting with Brigadier Sir on various topics ranging from Innovator stories and struggles, village visits and interactions, topics such as Fundamental rights and duties of an Indian citizen, personal health and hygiene, understanding women’s issues/ women’s empowerment and almost anything under the sun is something that has left an indelible mark in my mind and heart. How relevant it is to all strata of our society and how much we have actually taken for granted lost in our day to day living is something that will keep my mind awake for many more years to come.
To have a mentor as Brigadier Sir is indeed a rare blessing. I would highly recommend this Yatra to anyone who wishes to experience his deep knowledge first hand. His passionate expression to questions that rack your mind, however simple or complex is highly appreciable.
Nature has always been an inspiration for me. I was able to experience nature in her purest form during this Yatra and it has been very deep and refreshing in many ways.
Special thanks to PS for having such a rich and practical platform, PS staff for the wonderful support, the villages of my beautiful country for igniting so many thoughts and expressions within me, my co-Yatris with whom I’ve experienced simple, basic living and forged wonderful friendships.
For you Brigadier Sir - there have been many spoken and unspoken words during this Yatra. I’m greatly honoured, humbled to have met a powerful influencer and human being like you. I’m deeply inspired by you and hope to carry on your baton in various areas going forward.  
‘Fear of the unknown’ just remains a phrase for the one who takes that first step and I am glad I have taken mine.

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Thanks and warm regards,
Padmaja                                                
ShodhaYatri
padmaja@gc-agent.com
29 Dec 2018