Asutosh

I am a 31 year young PhD graduate who has decided to travel the length and breadth of India on my cycle, to document the journey of meeting a vast array of people. In my journey, I intend to understand the characteristic features of the people of this nation and categorize them based on their demographics, age, profession, gender, traditions, and cultural differences.

Travel India on foot cycle and vehicle

How is the life of a person who has travelled India on foot, cycle, and vehicle

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People /

Travelling India by any means would be incredibly diverse and rewarding. The journey provides a unique opportunity to experience the vast cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of India. The person travelling would have interacted with people from different regions, religions, and backgrounds, gaining insights into the rich tapestry of Indian society. While travelling by foot or by cycle provides a more intimate connection with the surroundings, enabling one to appreciate the smaller details and observe the local way of life up close, using vehicles and other transport systems would provide a faster and more efficient mode of travel, offering the chance to cover greater distances and explore remote areas that might be challenging to reach by foot or cycle alone.

During my all-India cycle tour, I had the opportunity to meet Dipak Belwalkar, a seasoned traveler who has extensively explored the country. Interacting with him revealed the extraordinary life he has led. Despite being 53 years old, he continues to embark on journeys, devoting nearly half of the year to travel. Engaging in conversation with him provided unexpected insights that broadened my perspective about why one decides to travel.

So, how is the life of an individual who has travelled India on foot, cycle, and vehicle?

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District-level award-winning teacher

How is the life of a district-level award-winning teacher?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People /

The respect that teachers demand has faded over time thanks to private sectors and tutorials that are run in every street of major cities. There are, however, school teachers who are still respected for their profession rather than looked at as mere employees in the work sector.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the privilege of meeting Mr Tanaji Salaskar who is a school teacher in Malewad village in Sawantwadi district of Maharashtra. Apart from being the physical education teacher at the school, he is also the maths teacher there, handling classes for 8, 9, and 10th-grade students.

I accidentally happened to stumble upon him when I approached his house members requesting to pitch a tent outside for the night. I was warmly invited to stay inside the house and was taken care of like a family member. When I got to learn that he had multiple awards to his name in sports and also the best teacher award in the district, I was curious to know what the life of such a person could be.

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Roadside cycle repair shop owner

How is the life of a roadside cycle repair shop owner in India?

4 Comments / Maharashtra, People /

Cycle repair stores by the street side are almost non-existent today. Only the ones that have been set up since a long time ago continue to operate. These shops are turning obsolete as larger businesses are taking over the cycling industry in India. Despite this, there are people from previous generations who continue to run these stores in cities.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Balasodinkar More, who has been operating a small cycle store in Kolhapur city for the past 30+ years. No amount of searching to get my cycle stand fixed for one entire month in major shops across cities helped me have the problem rectified.

I approached this old man close to 60 years of age sitting by the roadside with the wheel in his hand with great reluctance. I had absolutely no hope that he would even look at the problem. But to my surprise, he not only took a look but decided to put his hand into it. He took an hour time to fix the issue. He sweated so much that his spectacles were filled with it. That didn’t deviate his focus one little bit from the problem. All the while, I patiently waited without hinting to him that he may not be able to do it. He eventually rectified the problem and requested only 100 rupees.

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Carve realistic idols

How is the life of artists who carve realistic idols in Karnataka and Maharashtra

2 Comments / Maharashtra, People /

Art can be portrayed in multiple forms over a range of subjects. The same subject can again be expressed in multiple ways through different arts. Art and subject are tied hand in hand. There is no art without a subject. Of the many arts that exist, carving realistic idols is one. This concept has been used well to portray the subject of the rich Indian history and natural farming at a museum in Maharashtra’s Kaneri mutt. Being a visionary, Kadu Siddeshwar Swamiji who is the Swamiji at the mutt has allowed artists to display their skills by carving realistic idols that depict our past and how important the protection of the environment is.

People visit this place from all around the country to take a walk inside an entire village carved from cement by a group of 18 artists. Preserving the Indian culture and promoting natural farming is the subject on which the art stands.

On my all-India cycle tour, I resided in Kaneri Mutt for two nights during which I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting two artists. Manjunath Bhopdappa Bavikatti and Venkatesh Govindappa. Their work mesmerized me to such an extent that I wanted to listen to them and understand what went on in their lives that allows them to make art of such high quality.

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Lady who completes her education after having her first kid

How is the life of a lady who completes her education after having her first kid in India?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People /

For some of us, attaining education is a way of life, while for many it is a privilege. This is the thing I learnt from speaking with the lady who completed her education after having her first kid. Rural parts of India still fail to see women being well-educated. Those especially brought up in tough situations skip it entirely.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the pleasure of meeting Maheshwari Chougule who completed her education despite all odds and situations turning against her. The best part is that she did it without even realizing that she when through hardships. She accepted them so wholeheartedly that she didn’t find any of the situations hard.

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Electronics and home appliances shop owner

How is the life of an electronics and Home appliances shop owner in India?

3 Comments / Maharashtra, People /

Several times we walk into a home appliances store to get household materials. We tend to purchase the required materials, bargain as much as possible with the store owner, and walk out without giving the slightest thought to why the shop owner only decided to open a home appliances store and none other.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Saibanna Ingle sir from the Sawantwadi district of Maharashtra who is the owner of a home appliances store. I learnt that to be able to set up a home appliances store, the person has to be in the field for long enough to learn the tricks of the trade, understand the mentality of the customer, and take the right actions at the right time. All of these only come with experience and majorly experiences of struggles which any of us are blind to.

Speaking with Saibanna Ingle sir who saw my cycle, handed me 500 rupees wished me for my journey, and even offered me food, I learnt about the struggles of his life. So, how is the life of an electronics and Home appliances shop owner in India?

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Memories Goa

Memories you get to make in Goa on a 12 day trip

1 Comment / Goa, People, State summary /

Goa is a travel destination for many youngsters, bachelors, and couples. What Goa has to offer to most people is beaches, parties, drugs, girls, new friends, and cheap-cheaaappp booze! Although this is Goa’s skeleton framework, Goa has a living soul of its own that people fail to see in their travel. If you can go there with an open mind and be accepting of it, perhaps you can see the life of Goa. Not just it’s bones but it’s blood and sweat. Struggling artists, hard-working entrepreneurs, social welfare workers, innovative minds, visionaries, and more live in Goa.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the wonderful opportunity of living for 12 days straight in Goa. During this period I had no time to go to parties as I would end up tired by the end of the day meeting people and listening to the stories I have never heard of before. Every single day was eventful. No amount of time spent in this spiritually intact place would justify any amount of learning. There is no limit to a soulful experience.

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Freelance painter in Goa

How is the life of a freelance painter in Goa?

1 Comment / Goa, People /

Goa has a culture of wall art all around the place. Even the remote areas of Goa have walls spray painted by both rookies and unexplainably great artists. The whole thing adds to the aesthetics and the great vibe of the entire place. None of these paintings are paid for. Artists do this as a freelancing job many times to hitch a stay and get free food in hostels. Many learn the art of wall painting by coming to Goa and sharpening their skills.

In my journey across Goa, I had already come to realize the hostel culture. Many volunteers at hostels manage people and space to hitch a stay and get some food. Speaking with one of the cafe owners – Mukesh Meena (Read this article), I figured that the volunteering services do not take people anywhere. Some of these bag packers come over work in hostels and stay over for months not learning anything and wasting their time unnecessarily. Mukesh said there is no art in these people’s life. Volunteering is a job for travellers to rest and rejuvenate in the journey but not for those who want to go to beaches and strike up a conversation with the girls.

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Individual who has travelled the world

The life and mindset of an individual who has traveled the world

2 Comments / Goa, People /

For most people who have a 9 to 5 job travelling abroad is a luxury. Most people either travel on work or take a vacation once in a while. To check off visiting most nations in the world is not everyone’s cup of tea. At the same time, it requires funds, knowledge, and a systematic approach to travel anywhere more than 20 countries in the world.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Sidd (asked not to disclose the full name) who has travelled to 169 countries and continues to travel to date. Based off from West Bengal, Sidd has settled down in Goa where he has a rented house that he uses to host people travelling from all around the world on Couchsurfing.

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